Like most industries, video games showcase impressive growth—from polished game graphics to novel opportunities for live streaming. With so much happening, it becomes difficult to recognize change as it happens, so let’s explore some of the prominent innovations or trends we have (or will) witness in the gaming industry.
Fun, indie games beat triple-A titles
While triple-A games used to be destined for success and huge sales, their significance has declined over the years. We have witnessed dozens of these titles flop, revealing that a game from well-known creators and a large budget doesn’t necessarily mean it will resonate with players.
On the other hand, audiences have been pleasantly surprised with the stream of high-quality content from indie developers, proving that a small budget can lead to impressive, record-breaking results.
AI is to become much more involved
Despite offering some flexibility, many games have scenarios and narratives that are set in stone. With the emerging AI powers, we can expect to witness games that reinvent this flexibility and showcase incredibly responsive gameplay. The game may fully adapt to your decisions and actions, creating a unique experience for every player.
Using gamified experiences and multitasking
Gamification to boost productivity is already a popular trend, but we have titles that are specifically designed to overlay with your other activities. Instead of distracting you, they aim to boost your focus.
Furthermore, players are already exploring multitasking capabilities, such as using their gaming hobby to earn some money online (e.g., becoming a tester). Another option is to use an app like Honeygain to share unused internet bandwidth as you enjoy your favorite games. You shouldn’t experience any lag, but if you do, you can always pause the sharing.
Games adapting to TV shows (or vice versa)
It is an exciting time when your favorite movie or TV show could actually become a game. Of course, we have seen these adaptations throughout the years, but now, their quality and graphics do not fall short of a real TV series. For instance, Hogwarts Legacy provided the ambiance and feel of truly becoming a wizard. Of course, these books have seen adaptations before, but none like this.
Other popular examples of TV series/books turned into games include The Witcher and Dune, while more and more games are inspiring full-fledged TV series. That consists of The Last of Us, Fallout, and even Halo.
Nostalgia-fueled gaming
Some rustic game titles are gaining increasing attention, highlighting people’s bond with games from their childhood/teenage years. After discontinuing The Sims 1 for so long, EA also gave nostalgic players the chance to experience the magic and the rise to stardom once again.
Streaming with props and stories
Usually, it is no longer enough to sit in front of a screen, play your game, and occasionally comment on viewers’ opinions. Now, streamers go all in with their costumes, setups, and even personalities. They aim to introduce an experience and build a following rather than casual streaming. After all, for many people, it has become a career they must invest in to see some return.
Modding as an expected feature
Many games do not consider modding part of their intended features. However, modding has brought an impressive community together, and people continue to dedicate time to making their dreams come true (even if the official version of the game doesn’t offer it). So, we expect to see more developers recognizing their fans’ efforts. However, we might also see more regulation regarding this (such as ensuring their security).
For inspiration, you can check out some games that have proven to extend the fun with the help of mods.
Playable mobile ads take the lead
If you enjoy mobile gaming, you have likely noticed how many ads are actually playable. Ideally, the ad gives you a glimpse into the actual gameplay of the advertised title. However, thousands of ads use deceptive tactics, showcasing features that are nonexistent once you actually download them. Hopefully, the playable ad trend will continue; yet we hope that some restrictions will apply so that players can avoid disappointment.
Conclusion
The gaming industry never stands still, and we have witnessed drastic changes in how games are developed. Furthermore, there are plenty of innovations to look forward to, so we expect even more entertaining experiences.
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