With 2020 around the corner, the gaming industry is gearing up for innovative products in order to offer novel experiences to the players. The competition is huge in this sector and gaming companies need to be aware of the latest technology trends to stay ahead of their peers.The future of game development lies in creating immersive and inclusive apps. Whether it is mobile, Console or PC games, it is important that people from around the world are able to access whatever they are looking for, and more.
Based on various studies, here is a list of some of the technology trends that can be considered by game developers for their future projects:
- Cloud for gaming
Gaming is all about speed. Whether it is the gameplay, the download or the time taken to switch from one level to the other, players are looking for new avenues so that they do not have to worry about internet/data. With cloud computing, they can play games with the same experience as streaming an audio/video file, without a PC or Console. A lot of time will be saved with this futuristic technology since there is no need to download specific games. Whenever someone signs up for a specific cloud service and chooses a game, it is streamed live onto the device without any lag time. The whole process is faster because of the remote hardware.
As far as the developers are concerned, the whole process of building a game will become easier. There are guides to refer to, platforms that are ideal for any game ideas and resources to produce an inclusive app. Another advantage is an integrated system. Everyone who is working on a particular project will be able to catch up with the whole team on a real-time basis.Â
It is time to consider cloud for gaming to make it better for players as well as developers.
- AR/VR
There are several games that are based on Augmented Reality(AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. With AR, the camera on a smartphone is enabled to make use of the player’s immediate surroundings and integrate them in the gameplay. This happens on a real time basis and hence, offers gamers a more dynamic experience. Pokemon Go is a classic example of the optimum use of AR in a game.
As far as VR is concerned, the player uses wearable and other suitable devices, and are completely immersed in the respective game that is being played. There is no distraction of any kind and players will be able to experience the maximum enjoyment levels that such games have been designed to offer.
These smarter & innovative trends will define the future of games. The experience that comes out of games based on AR and VR is unique. Players will be able to pursue new features that will take gaming to the next level. With wearable games and devices, the industry has a lot more to offer to the community of enthusiastic gamers.
- 5G
5G is all set to take over in the next year. There are a few countries that have already started testing this service. Compared to 4G, 5G uses higher radio frequencies which results in an increased speed and lower latency. It is estimated that 5G’s speed is 100 times faster than its predecessor. The download speeds are also reported as being 3 times faster than 4G LTE.Â
Once 5G is established, online gamers can make the most of these benefits. A significant decrease in lag time can improve the gaming experience. Moreover, they will be able to access games on the go, without having to think about the signal strength.
- Secondary Screen for Gaming
Anyone who loves to play online games will agree that an additional screen such as a   tablet will take the experience up by several notches. A larger screen makes everything bigger and better. Whether it is the graphics, the sound quality or the overall gameplay, there is a substantial improvement when there is a second screen available. Also, if players have to access two screens at the same time, they can multitask whenever there is a need. So, the device that you play on becomes the primary screen and the second one can be used for any other purposes.
- Novelty
Nothing beats novelty. Players look for immersive games that offer something new to them. There are many game types such as puzzle, Match 3, MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online), AR, VR, Simulation, etc, that are available to be pursued. However, the basic design and tasks are more or less similar. Instead of tweaking the available ideas, developing a new idea from scratch and making a game that offers a unique experience is something that should be taken up in the coming year by gaming companies.
In addition to the above, disruptive technologies such as big data and voice recognition can be integrated by major players in the gaming industry. Let us take the example of big data. ThereÂ
are hundreds of thousands of players who are into online gaming. The data that is available is huge and collating the same and streamlining it would take a lot of time. However with big data and the tools therein, developers can make the most of the available information and use it to their advantage.
Voice recognition is another tool that can make gaming more interesting. If there is a tool that allows users a hands-free experience for a few actions in the gameplay, it can help them multi-task.
Using Google Analytics, game developers can learn about the behavioral patterns of players and offer them games that beguile their respective interests.Â
So, there is a lot to look forward to in 2020 for game lovers, and we are hopeful that there are many immersive games to be pursued.