The evolution of gaming technologies is happening at a rapid pace. Keeping abreast of what’s new in the industry can be challenging. We take a brief look back into the past to see how gaming has developed:
Video games started in the 1950s and 1960s on large computers. Games that were commonly found were Pong and Spacewar!
In the 1970s we saw the development of the home console, the Atari 2600, and the iconic arcade game Pac-Man. The 1980s and 1990s brought us the era of 3D graphics, a turning point in gaming. Platform games like Super Mario Bros and the humble beginnings of RPG (Role Playing Games) such as Final Fantasy. This was also the era of console wars between Sega and Nintendo.
The mid-1990s saw Personal Computers (PCs) gain more power, allowing online gameplay and strategy games like Warcraft. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the rise of mobile gaming through the ever-popular game, Snake. Throughout the 2000s up to 2010, we saw the development of the Multiplayer Online games boom as well as online communities and esports.
From 2010 to now, we have seen technology go from strength to strength, creating immersive environments for games. Developers are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible. Let’s explore some of the most exciting and game-changing developments in the gaming world:
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
VR and AR have developed at such rapid rates to continue to provide immersive gaming experiences for players. These technologies shape the environment around us bringing the gaming experience right into our homes.
VR headsets are continually being developed to provide a more realistic experience through higher-definition displays. With this, designers also work on the comfort aspect ensuring that headsets have the most ergonomic design allowing players to comfortably wear them for long periods.
AR enhances gameplay experiences by merging the digital and physical worlds. AR superimposes digital creations into our real-world environment, blurring the distinction between the virtual and real world.
VR and AR are game changers in how players engage and interact with their games. These technologies transfer players into the digital realm.
5G Technology
5G networks have revolutionized multiplayer gaming by reducing game latency. These faster, stable and reliable connections have helped drive the world of mobile gaming. Players are now able to access a wide variety of games on tablets, and smart televisions with faster loading times.
Cloud-Based Gaming
Gone are the days of expensive hardware upgrades needed to power your favorite games. With the development of cloud technology, powerful servers are used to host games online that are available 24/7.
By using this streaming process, the servers handle the processing of all tasks, allowing for seamless gameplay on a wide variety of devices like smartphones, tablets, and low-end PCs.
Some console brands also offer paid subscriptions, which allow players to purchase games online and play anywhere in the world with little to no latency.
With high-fidelity graphics, little latency and vast libraries on games, cloud gaming is becoming the preferred choice amongst games as they shift away from the traditional console models urging companies to reimagine their offering.
Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning
AI algorithms are used to create dynamic experiences. AI technology enhances the player’s environment by adapting the gaming experience to the player’s actions and preferences.
Non-player characters (NPCs) are also driven by AI technology. These characters exhibit more realistic behavior and actions during gameplay. This can create both a more immersive and challenging gaming experience.
Machine learning focuses more on adapting the gaming experience in line with player preferences and skill levels. It also serves to improve game design processes and optimize player matchmaking.
Haptic Feedback And Immersive Technologies
These devices help to provide real in-play feedback through the use of vibrations and tactile feedback sensors. Designed to give players sensory feedback of the gaming environment, further immersing them in the gaming world.
Similar techniques are developed with audio which include spatial audio and binaural rendering to add to that real-world feel.
Through the use of Haptic Feedback devices and audio technology, game designers can fully transport the minds of players into their virtual gaming worlds.
Blockchain And NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens)
The development of blockchain and NFTs means that players can now own digital assets and collectibles within games. They can trade, buy, and sell virtual items through a secure transaction portal through decentralized marketplaces, with transactions being recorded transparently on the blockchain.
With the rise of blockchain technology, game developers are looking at ways to create play-to-earn environments where players can earn real-world currency through playing their favorite games. NFT-based games are creating virtual economies driven by the players who can now own virtual assets with full ownership rights which are securely enforced. Who knows where NFT games will be in 5 years, but the prospects are certainly exciting!
Ray Tracing
Ever wondered how light works in games? The interaction of light with the in-game environment is hugely important to adding realism. Ray tracing does exactly this through its groundbreaking graphics technology. It meticulously simulates how light behaves within a virtual environment. Supporting hardware like the Nvidia RTX graphics card makes this possible by helping to recreate lifelike stunning visuals with lifelike lighting effects.
Accessibility Features
Accessibility is a term that we are hearing more and more in the tech world. As companies head toward more inclusive environments and offerings we have seen the development of technologies that support this.
Features like customizable controls, subtitles, colorblind modes and assistive technology are all geared to helping players with disabilities to be included and have an equally immersive gaming experience.
The Future
With the evidence of how far technology has come in the last 20 years and the rate at which it’s developing it leaves us to wonder what we could see in the future of gaming. All you need to do is look at online games – whether MMOs, RPG, or even the casino games offered by Black Lotus to see how far we’ve come. As AI develops with blockchain-based games we could find ourselves living out in the digital world as game developers continue to pursue the impossible.