The future of video games promises an immersive experience with advancements in AI, the metaverse, free-to-play models, etc. The blog also discusses popular video game genres including action, simulation, sports, role-playing, and idle games. It covers the development process from the initial stages to advanced features.
The future of video games shines brighter in the entertainment industry, evolving into a cultural phenomenon that spans generations and demographics. As their popularity continues to surge, the influence of gaming on society grows ever more deep. Not only has gaming become a dominant force in the entertainment industry, surpassing both movies and sports in revenue, but it has also enabled a global community that bridges geographical and social divides.
In 2023, the gaming industry generated an astounding $3.1 billion in revenue and estimated the number of gamers worldwide to reach 6 billion by 2028. This burgeoning audience is miscellaneous, with 38 percent of gamers aged between 18 and 34, and 16 percent aged over 55, reflecting the universal appeal of video games.
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As gaming becomes increasingly mainstream, the technological innovations driving the industry forward are equally compelling. From advancements in artificial intelligence and virtual reality to the rise of cloud gaming and cross-platform play, these developments are balanced to revolutionize the gaming experience. But what exactly does the future hold for video games, and how will these cutting-edge technologies reshape the way we play and interact with games?
Top 5 Trends: Future of the Video Game Industry
Technological trends like immersive technologies (AI and Metaverse) have attracted people towards mobile gaming. At the same time, there is a dramatic increase in 3D game development due to the rise in streaming video games.
1. Artificial intelligence
AI has revolutionized various industries including gaming. Promethean AI is a tool that enables game developers to create real environments and assets using natural commands and propelling the gaming industry into a new epoch. It enormously reduces the time and effort required in game development. We can expect more personalized, diligent, and immersive games with the advancement of technology in machine learning and neural networks.
2. Cloud gaming
Cloud gaming enables users to access and play games on different devices without the requirement for expensive gaming hardware. This appeals to a diverse range of gamers, including casual players who may want to refrain from investing in dedicated gaming consoles or PCs. Gaming companies are offering subscriptions (monthly and annually) that give gamers a platform to access a library of games that can be streamed on demand.
The progress in mobile technology has led to smartphones and tablets becoming challenging gaming devices. Cloud gaming enables mobile gamers to play high-quality, graphics-intensive games on their devices without requiring expensive hardware upgrades, opening up new opportunities for gaming companies to access the growing mobile gaming market.
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3. High-Fidelity Graphics
The involvement of AI-powered algorithms such as Nvidia’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), can enhance the graphics in the gaming experience by upscaling low-definition images without compromising performance.
Game developers can develop realistic graphics, lifelike animation, and engrossing virtual worlds. The combination of artificial intelligence (AI) with game visuals has led to advancements in virtual reality, providing gamers with very realistic and stunning gaming experiences.
4. Free-to-Play
The free-to-play game market is expected to keep growing, as it appeals to casual players who are not willing to pay and can enjoy the games without any upfront costs. This attracts an audience that is more likely to try a product if they are not required to make a purchase initially.
5. Metaverse
The metaverse involves Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies to create a more captivating and realistic gaming experience where players are given a chance to explore enormous virtual worlds, create their own avatars, and communicate with other players in real-time. In contrast to conventional games, this helps to create an overall sense of community and social engagement.
Top 5 Types of Video Games
Here are top 5 types of video games that are more likely to be mainstream.
1. Action Games
Action Games require players to overcome physical challenges such as hand-eye coordination and reaction time. This video game genre encompasses a wide variety of sub-genres including fighting, shooter, rhythm, and platform games.
Examples: Tekken 7, Virtua Fighter 4, Counter-Strike, Halo 5, Wolfenstein II: A New Colossus, etc.
2. Idle Games
In idle games, players make minimal active inputs as they progress through passive and automated actions, such as waiting for resources to stockpile or clicking on an object repeatedly to generate income or points. This video game genre is designed to allow players to relax and peacefully enjoy the game while taking a break.
Examples: Idle Miner Tycoon, Realm Grinder, Plantera, Cookie Clicker, Clicker Heroes, etc.
3. Role-Playing Games
This video game genre allows players to progress through a main story quest, as well as numerous side quests, in order for their character or party of characters to accumulate experience and enhance various attributes and abilities. The key characteristics of this include combat, a storyline, exploration and discovery, choices, and consequences.
Examples: EverQuest, Guild Wars 2, Astroneer, Roblox, Surviving Mars, The Legend of Zelda, RuneScape, Minecraft, etc.
4. Simulation Games
Simulation games provide players with a blend of realism and enjoyment. These games are designed to replicate real-world or imaginary experiences, allowing players to immerse themselves in various scenarios such as flying a fighter plane, cooking like a chef, or driving a truck.
Examples: Animal Crossing, World of Tanks, Skylines, Surviving Mars, X-Plane 11, SnowRunner, Brothers in Arms, World of Warships, etc.
5. Sports Games
This video game genre confines virtual adaptations of real-world sports such as soccer, football, cricket, hockey, and more. These games prioritize entertainment over realism, featuring exaggerated experiences, team management, and player progression.
Examples: Need for Speed Heat, Riders Republic, iRacing, Forza Horizon 4, Asphalt 9, BMX The Game, Mario Tennis 64, Rocket League, etc
6. Strategy Games
In strategy games, players need to make important decisions that affect their success through critical thinking, skillful planning, and resource management. Different themes require assorted levels of approach.
For example, in military scenarios, players plan battles, gather resources, build bases, and draft and train troops. In a treasure hunt scenario, players need to make decisions about hunting for treasure or saving humankind from impending doom.
Examples: Dune II, Catan, Civilization, Chess, Agricola, XCOM 2, Age of Empire, Total War, Risk, Command and Conquer, Endless Legend, etc.
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The Video Game Development Process
Video game development involves a diverse set of artistic media such as animation, videos, art, programming, and marketing.
Step1: Planning
The initial step is to create an idea or a storyline, gaming principles, themes, and environments. Bringing your idea to a fruitful concept considering time, cost, and technical aspects.
Moreover, Market analysis is also important to determine if your game will vend and to understand the desires of your target audience. During this stage, game developers should study gaming trends, monitor fan sites, and possibly conduct interviews or polls with gamers to find out what they want in a game.
Step2: Preproduction
In the preproduction stage, the development team along with writers, and designers work together to create a prototype, create documentation, and develop a test plan. They create characters, and a storyline and determine the details of gameplay.
Step3: Production
This crucial stage involves the implementation of our ideas through a strategic action plan. It encompasses the essential preproduction elements such as user interface, character development, audio structure, storyline composition, and programming. Not only that but the game's level of challenge is meticulously crafted by our expert game designers during production.
Step4: Testing
Quality assurance plays a crucial role in identifying bugs for the development team to resolve. Testing is an ongoing process that occurs throughout the development cycle to ensure that the software is free of bugs and operates smoothly. In this phase, whether the narrative aligns with the player's experience is also assessed and addressed to improve the game's quality and performance.
Step5: Launch
This step involves releasing the beta version as part of the prelaunch after resolving all errors and ensuring that there are no bugs. This version is for a wider audience to provide feedback and opinions, which helps the development team address issues and prepare for the final launch. Marketing, including advertising, promotional activities, and sometimes playable demos of certain levels, is a step before the launch to attract the audience.
Step6: Post Launch
This step involves maintaining and updating software regularly, creating refreshing content, adding new features, and fixing errors through patches.
Bottom Line
The video game trend is evolving into a more streamlined and significant phenomenon. The trends shaping the gaming industry, promise to revolutionize the interactive experience.
At Decipher Zone, our team of experts is dedicated to designing, planning, and developing dynamic game interfaces tailored to the interests and perceptions of gamers. Feel free to reach out to us to explore the possibilities.
FAQs: The Future of Video Games
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What type of games will be popular in the future?
Some types of video games that are more likely to be mainstream are Action Games, Idle Games, Role-Playing Games, Simulation Games, Sports Games, Strategy Games, and more.
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What is the new type of gaming?
Metaverse in gaming aims to create a more captivating and realistic experience by integrating Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) technologies.
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What is the future of gaming AI?
AI enormously reduces the time and effort required in game development. We can expect more personalized, diligent, and immersive games with the advancement of technology in machine learning and neural networks.