Entertainment has always been a very important aspect of human society. Ever since the earliest forms of human civilization, we have worked during the day and relaxed at night. Whether that be through group/family games, a well-deserved rest, or perhaps by watching some iteration of a popular sport. Whatever the case may be, the point remains. Entertainment has been a part of human society, since its inception.
However, over the years, technology has changed the way we play, especially in the 21st century. Rather than finishing work, or waiting for our day off, nowadays people can keep themselves entertained throughout the work day. Whether it be during our lunch/smoke breaks or their commutes to and from work, nothing is stopping us from playing a game to keep ourselves entertained. And it is all thanks to developments in tech and the rise of the internet.
What Changed?
As we said, what changed is our level of technology. Only 20 or so years ago, it was impossible to access the world wide web through a phone. But, the invention of smartphones has made sure that women and men never grow bored. These little pocket computers can help us look up fun facts, read our books, watch our shows, and even play our games. And with the gaming industry growing into a multi-billion-dollar force, it is now better than ever that we can access our favourite games on mobile. So, let’s take a look at some ways that the gaming industry has changed thanks to technological advancements.
Online Casinos
The first bit of change we would like to take a look at is the development of gambling websites. As you might know, an online casino is a website where you can find all of your favourite gambling games. From slots to poker, online casinos have it all.
Businesses like these emerged in the late 90s, as it would have been impossible to do before that time. However, what is even more impressive is how quickly they grew in popularity. Back in the 90s, a lot of people were, perhaps justifiably, apprehensive of online gambling. However, today licensed online casinos are just as trustworthy, legal, and reliable as land-based establishments. And for that reason, online casinos have grown more popular than ever before.
But, if you think the developments stop there, online casinos have even changed drastically in the past couple of years. Mainly with the introduction of live gaming. Thanks to livestreaming technology, online casinos are now more immersive than ever. A live dealer streams themselves dealing cards, rolling dice, or spinning a wheel. From there, all the players have to do is join a group chat, and call their next move.
So, the iGaming industry certainly has developed. But, what else is there? Well, you will be happy to know that it doesn’t end with gambling. Gaming has experienced positive changes in many different categories.
Multiplayer and eSports
One of the most important developments in the gaming industry is the inclusion of the massive online multiplayer. And we are not just talking about MMORPGs (massively-multiplayer online roleplaying games). Nowadays, most games include a multiplayer option, that allows players to connect to the massive network of the game, and play the game with hundreds, and thousands of strangers from all over the world.
The inclusion of multiplayer is important for several reasons. First of all, it is simply fun. If you think about the Nintendo or Sega Genesis, playing those games with two people is always more entertaining. And today, it is much easier to find someone to play with you, as all you have to do is connect online and play your games. Another reason multiplayer is important is because it has led to the rise of eSports.
For anyone who doesn’t follow the latest gaming news, eSports is basically competitive gaming. The practice began in the mid-90s. Street Fighter II was the game, and the competitive arcade scene is where it came to prominence. This competitive spirit led to the creation of “pro-gaming”, which today has taken the name eSports. In other words, eSports is professional, competitive gaming.
The most popular eSports games today are the MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arenas), the MFPS (multiplayer first-person shooters), and sports and fighting games. Popular names in the eSports industry include Defenders of the Ancients 2 (DOTA 2), League of Legends (LoL), Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), and of course, the incredible and long-running FIFA series.
Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality
Possibly the most exciting development in gaming is the invention of augmented reality and virtual reality. For those who don’t know, there is indeed a difference between the two. Virtual reality entails the person being “transported” into a fully-realized virtual world. Once you put on virtual reality goggles, you almost enter a new reality, where you see what the game designers wanted you to see.
Augmented reality, while similar, is also very different. Augmented reality still lets you perceive the real world. However, there are certain “augmentations”. For example, you might see the game overlaid into the real world. The most popular example of augmented reality is probably Pokemon! Go, where you can activate AR mode and see the Pokemon in your environment.
So, VR and AR are a fascinating new development in gaming. The best part about it is, that online games are also trying more and more to incorporate it. Meaning that you will never go without AR or VR.
Concluding Thoughts
These are only a few of the most incredible developments that the gaming industry has undergone. But, they are also some of the most important and influential. We believe that the future of gaming lies in the development of virtual reality / augmented reality and multiplayer. In other words, future games will be a lot more immersive, interesting, and engaging than ever, largely because they will be entirely created in a much more developed virtual reality.
