Thanks to advancements in technology, the gaming experience for players is more immersive than ever before, which has led to a significant increase in the number of people that regularly play video games. From increased connectivity — allowing gamers to play video games with others worldwide — to new technologies — such as virtual reality and the Metaverse — we unpack some of the most innovative technologies that have moulded the gaming industry into what it is today.
Esports
When the first video games were created, they were primarily single or — at most — two-player games, but you both had to play on the same computer or console. Today, people can play video games online with players on the other side of the world. With this increased connectivity to players worldwide came the rise of the Esports industry, where the top players in a particular game could play against each other in a tournament to fight for the title of the best in the world. Players can play video games professionally, receive a salary and sponsorships for being one of the best at a video game, and have a loyal fanbase.
Live Streaming
Livestreaming video games has also exploded in recent years, with many people making a career out of streaming their favourite games to thousands of people. Streamers can become popular for several reasons, whether they are extremely good at particular games so viewers enjoy watching someone play their favourite game at the highest level, or their fun personality can make it entertaining to watch them. People stream themselves playing various games, including the popular battle-royale style game Fortnite and other games such as the hugely successful MOBA League of Legends.
More recently, there has been a significant rise in the interest of live streamers playing casino games. More specifically, British streamers playing online slots in the UK and poker. It is easy to see why viewers find spectating streamers play these very entertaining, watching someone potentially win the jackpot in their favourite slot machine game or a big hand in poker. As more people discover the world of live streaming, the space will likely continue to grow, with many more people tuning in to their favourite live streamer to play their favourite game.
Virtual Reality
One of the newest technologies that has transformed the video gaming industry is the arrival of virtual reality. In the last five years, there has been a significant rise in the number of people using VR headsets to enjoy an even more immersive experience whilst playing video games. Some of the most popular games in the world have adopted this new technology to provide players with a unique experience that makes gaming more realistic than ever before.
Some video games that have implemented virtual reality include Doom, Minecraft, and Skyrim. It is likely that as the technology becomes more affordable and accessible to a broader audience, many more people will start using VR headsets to enjoy their favourite games. This will also likely cause more video game developers in the future to enable players to use their VR headsets to play their games, leading to a rise in the use of innovative technology.
The Metaverse
One of the latest addition to the gaming world is The Metaverse, created by Facebook, which enables gamers worldwide to connect and enjoy many different forms of entertainment in a virtual universe. The possibilities of The Metaverse appear endless, with players able to play classic games such as bridge and chess against each other and more advanced games such as first-person shooters. In addition to this, The Metaverse has gone beyond video games as entertainment where people can experience things like online virtual concerts together.
This concept is not entirely new, with Fortnite being one of the first games to implement this idea into their game back in 2022. Roblox is another game that The Metaverse has most definitely taken inspiration from as a platform where players can create their own games and play in a massive online universe. The whole idea of the Metaverse is the flexibility of the user’s experience by allowing them to engage in many different forms of entertainment. Whether playing their favourite video games with their friends, watching a music concert, or just hanging out in a chat room, the choice is all theirs.
Conclusion
There is no denying that the video gaming industry has changed dramatically over the years thanks to advancements in technology and the implementation of innovative ideas and concepts. Some of the newest technologies mentioned above will likely continue to transform how people play their favourite video games and offer an even more immersive experience for gamers to enjoy.
