Video game revenue has surpassed traditional media such as Holywood films and Large Sporting events. As gaming becomes a mainstream activity for all age groups and generations creating massive revenue streams pushing incredible innovation. What new innovation will we see?
Virtual Reality (VR)
Though slow to fulfill its immersive promises, VR continues to advance with investments from Meta, Valve, PlayStation, Samsung, and Apple’s Vision Pro. Some of the current downsides are bulky headsets giving an uncomfortable experience, and the cost of the hardware to drive the VR experience with the general minimum for GPU memory being 4GB. Apple’s Vision Pro promises a more comfortable experience but comes with a high price ticket.
We could see a resurgence of 3d films as Apple is aiming their 3D experience towards media as well as social aspects.
Augmented Reality (AR)
AR, blending digital images with the physical world, gained fame with Pokémon Go. AR’s interactive nature makes is more accessible, with companies like Meta and Magic Leap pushing AR glasses innovations. AR has some very useful aspects for companies that want potential customers to visualise say a new kitchen or architectural construction created over the image of reality. AR is a lot less resource-hungry and can be run on most portable units.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI can really help with the creation of characters through 3d generation and graphics generation. One of the most interesting aspects to come will be the way that non-player characters react to their behavior in these new environments. Characters that can learn and change their reactions to how the games are being played show real “intelligence”.
While not ready to design entire games, AI’s potential in tailoring experiences and controlling gameplay continues to grow and in the future will revolutionise the way games are played.
Cloud Gaming
Cloud gaming allows streaming games on any device, reducing hardware dependency. Major players like Sony, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, and Netflix are investing in this growing market, expected to surpass $143 billion by 2032. Bandwidth is essential with cloud gaming as all resources are provided by the network. A roll-out of 5G in the UK is essential for the future of cloud-based services.
High Resolution Gaming
Advancements in graphics cards and ray tracing technology enable realistic visuals with realistic light and shadow being created in a realtime situation. While chip shortages pose challenges and high-powered GPU-based cards are being eaten up by the crypto mining market, high-fidelity graphics remain a priority, especially for AAA games. Currently, you can buy a NVIDIA RTX A6000 48GB Graphics Card for £4400 a high price ticket but as we see with all progress it won’t be long until 48GB has a sub £1000 price ticket and is standard for home gameplay.
The Metaverse
The metaverse, a virtual realm combining VR and AR, is expanding. Platforms like Roblox and Fortnite offer glimpses of its potential, with gaming becoming more about connection than competition.
As these technologies evolve, gaming will continue to transform, offering richer, more amazing immersive experiences. The future of gaming is bright, driven by innovation and a growing desire for social connection.