Video games are constantly changing and evolving. Think of the industry in the ’80s and early ‘90s. There were platforms that you could play games on, and you’d have to go to a physical store to get those games. Then came the internet and cooperative multiplayer games. There have been smaller but no less significant changes as well. Using the over-the-shoulder view for action games, better graphics, improved sound, and hiring legitimate voice actors have all made an impact, along with a thousand other things.
The fact is, the video gaming industry is always in flux. As technology improves and competition is fierce, developers and distributors must keep up or risk falling permanently behind. Here are some of the trends that you can expect to see this year and in the years to come.
AR and VR
If anything, the goal of video games over the past several decades has been to provide a more immersive experience for gamers. That has driven a lot of innovation around the industry. Augmented and virtual reality are the next phase of this evolution, and the continued convergence of these two technologies will be something to watch this year.
AR made a splash in the mainstream with Pokemon GO a few years ago, and that style of game has only gotten more popular and immersive. For example, there are headsets, earphones, and hand controllers. Expect new technology or innovations to improve this experience and provide more realistic virtual worlds.
PC Gaming Making a Comeback
Not that PC gaming has gone anywhere, but for a long time, consoles have been taking up the largest share of the market. The sound and graphics tend to be better and more consistent, so gamers naturally chose consoles. However, that’s changing again, and PC gaming is getting more popular. Steam has been the vendor of choice for the last decade and a half, and with good reason. It offers a wide selection, and it’s easy to download games. However, other options are available, such as YuPlay’s Steam platform, which offers competitive pricing, a wide selection, and quality service. Competition and accessibility have helped lower video game prices, so more and more people are opting for PC gaming.
Casual Gaming
For the past couple of decades, the video game industry has lost a certain subsection of the market. They have appealed to those looking for complicated games that require strategy and deep thinking. These are the games that people play late into the night, usually with a headset strapped to their heads. However, a large portion of the population looks at those games and is afraid to try them out. They seem too complicated and would take too long to learn when compared to the games they used to play. There are even more buttons to worry about. That’s why there is an increased effort at developing casual games that aren’t simply the same thing repackaged. For example, angry birds spawned countless imitations that were essentially the same game. Expect to see a rise in simple, casual games for people who want only to kill time or have a quick break from work.
Cross-Platform Gaming
In the past, because of technological limitations, cross-platform gaming was only available in a limited way. This meant that a player with one console could only play against those who had the same console, for example. It also meant that a player who reached a certain point in a game on their console could not pick up and play on their PC from the same spot.
However, because of the demand for cross-platform gaming, things are changing in a good way. Gamers want flexible gaming options, and they are going to get them in 2023. The improvements in technology and the evolution of cloud-based gaming make cross-platform gaming simple and uncomplicated. It will take another year or so to become universal, but this trend is picking up steam fast.
The Next Generation of Mobile Gaming
With the onset of 5G cellular technology, mobile gaming is primed to get a boost. You can keep your data speeds high no matter where you are, and it also will improve the latency for these games so the experience is much smoother. This means developers can create more complex mobile games with better graphics and sound. The processing power for these games won’t come directly from your phone but will come from the cloud, and with 5G you can count on consistent and smooth service with no disruptions.
Fitness Gaming
For a long time, the typical gamer stereotype was someone who sat in their basement or bedroom, ate lots of chips and drank lots of soda, and generally didn’t get any physical activity. However, gaming is for everyone, and while the WII created a temporary rise in athletic gaming, the industry is about to have a renaissance. There is just so much that gaming can do in the fitness world. Wearable tech, motion-detecting controllers, and mats can sense when and where you step. AR technology means that you can go biking anywhere in the world, or have gameplay intertwined with your ride. This gives people the opportunity to get and stay fit, without the same repetitive thing every day.
Esports
Just like professional sports, Esports are becoming a legitimate way for people to make a living. There is a market for gamers to watch people play individually, but also competitively. You might not have the size of strength to play in the NFL, but you can be any size to play the Madden Super Bowl. For some people, there is little difference between having a rooting interest in a gamer and having a rooting interest in a local team. Players compete for prize money, enter tournaments, get sponsors, and do all the things that athletes do. They just do it virtually. Look for this trend to keep rising, especially as more gamers realize there is money to be made.
The gaming industry never stops moving. There is a constant push to provide gamers with better experiences and stay ahead of the competition. Look for these trends to dominate 2023 and well into next year.
