Video games have always been there with us for decades now, shaping and refining the entertainment avenues for children and adults alike. Looking around, it is not hard for one to notice how they have consistently evolved and developed, to keep in pace with the changing times.
Today, the use of various latest technologies like AR and VR as seen in the escape room games, have found their way into the world of video gaming. With the implementation of the latest and highly advanced forms of technology, video gaming is helping players experience the gaming world in an unforeseen way.
In this article, we will take a look at how the video game industry continues to rapidly evolve, and what it seeks to bring for the future. So, check it out:
What is the present situation of the video game industry?
Today, the designing and development of video games has grown to become increasingly complex. Consequently, the costs of procuring these games themselves has also soared high significantly. While earlier it was almost unimaginable for game developers to spend millions of dollars on development costs alone, today, spending tens of thousands of dollars has become the norm.
Though it does not often get the adequate amount of attention that it really deserves, the video game industry is no less than the film industry! In fact, it is larger than the entire music and film industry combined. At present, there are over 2 billion gamers located worldwide (nearly 26% of the world population), and playing their favorite video games.
Given that the gaming industry alone generated about $155 billion as revenue in 2020, analysts have predicted a steep rise to $260 billion by 2025. Several important tech giants including Meta, Google and Apple are eagerly looking for ways to step into this booming industry and make a fortune out of it.
What are some of the technical innovations reshaping the video game industry?
While there are various technical innovations that are refining the video game industry, let us take a look at some of the most crucial ones:
Virtual Reality (VR)
For nearly decades now, VR has found its way to demarcate its position particularly in the gaming industry. It offers an immersive three-dimensional simulations accessed usually through a headset, entangling players integrally into a whole new world. However, VR has not delivered its promise affectively as global sales for shipments of AR and VR began to fall by 12 percent in 2022.
Despite its eventual downfall, there are still various game developers and tech professionals busy in their way to develop the technology. Today, many top companies like Meta, Valve, PlayStation and Samsung have decided to step into the VR industry and make use of it in developing their games.
Thus, despite the initial delay, one can still notice an unfaltering trend of investments in VR technologies across the gaming industry. Provided companies can overcome the challenges of bulky headgears and high prices, the future of VR can still hold much promise. Related Easy Steps to Roblox Unblocked at School Chromebook in 2023
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented Reality is a form of technology that functions by superimposing digital images over the physical world. AR technology usually works through smartphones or special glasses, and made its debut in the gaming world in 2016.
The inception of AR technology may be remembered with the worldwide craze amongst smartphone users playing Pokemon Go, an AR-enabled game. It generated nearly $1 billion yearly since its release, and is undoubtedly one of the biggest success stories.
People tend to have a greater liking for games that interact realistically with their reality, instead of removing them from it. It is largely because of this reason that AR could gain a better success than VR.
However, there are still quite a few challenges for AR technology to overcome along its way. Instead of designing a reality altogether from scratch as in case of VR, game developers may find it more challenging to compliment the reality as is the case for AR.
Nevertheless, AR has grown to have a recognizable presence on most mobile phones. Various tech companies including Meta, Snap and Magic Leap are already working their way into bringing up AR glasses to usher in new innovations for the gaming world! While the lightweight and glasses-styled headgear by Magic Leap is perfect for enterprise applications, the AR glasses by Meta (set to release in 2024) will turn the gaming world upside down.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence is yet another innovative form of technology that the gaming industry has relied on for a long time now. One can particularly notice the impact of AI in non-player characters or NPCs, like Pac-Man or Grand Theft Auto (GTA).
However, many game developers have started to embark on a more sophisticated approach of using AI in their games. Today, you can find various NPCs being programmed with behavior trees that make room for more complex decision-making than earlier.
The future does hold immense promise to revolutionize the entire gaming world. Game developers may work on building a comprehensive AI system for NPCs, where characters behave in unprecedented ways, creating an immersive experience. One of the biggest challenges that AI faces is in imitating the real world and reflecting on the various aspects of human imagination.
The world of video games continues to perpetually evolve and flourish, as technology continues to develop over time. In the coming years, the growth of technology can usher in various interesting and unique innovations into the gaming world, upturning the world as we see it.
