You probably already know that gaming is huge. But do you realize just how big the industry is? It’s so big that there are more than 2.5 billion gamers on the planet and they spent around $152.1 billion on games in 2019.
Franchises like Fortnite and League of Legends have reached almost legendary status. Many land-based casinos have also joined the gaming craze by bringing brands like Cherry Casino online so that they can increase the number of players. This is only part of the story though. There are exciting times ahead for gamers, into 2021 and beyond.
The rise of tech giants in gaming
Over the last couple of years, tech giants have begun to recognize the potential of gaming. This led to the launch of Apple Arcade in 2019. Following in Apple’s footsteps, Google launched Stadia which also enables players to stream top gaming titles from the Cloud.
Now, Amazon is set to make its mark on the gaming industry. The company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in its bid to become a leader in the creation and distribution of video games.
AI and NPC development
AI has been used in the development of non-player characters (NPCs) for a while now. However, these NPCs all follow a specific script. They are programmed to react in a certain way depending on what happens in the game.
In some games, like Halo 2, NPCs have been programmed to make more complex decisions but they can still only do what they are coded to do.
Even so, AI has brought significant improvements to the gaming industry. This includes assisting designers by enabling them to offload certain aspects of the design process. AI will continue having a big influence on gaming, in 2021 and beyond.
Expansion of the 5G network
5G has had some less than positive press. However, there is no doubt that it will revolutionise communications and gaming as it continues to be rolled out throughout 2021 and after.
This is because 5G delivers data speeds that are hundreds or thousands of times faster than the speeds provided by 3G or 4G. This will have a dramatic effect on the quality of the gaming experience. Here are three of the reasons why.
Better mobile gaming
The speed that 5G offers means that data can easily be transferred between a device and the server. This means that players can use Cloud-based servers to access games that are too resource-intensive for a smartphone to run natively.
The Elimination of Lag
Lag can be a major issue in the world of gaming as it means that Internet speed can seriously hamper the success of a gamer. Now, the speed of 5G means that gaming success can be determined by skill rather than Internet connection. This is because there will be a more level playing field as more people get access to 5G.
More advanced haptic feedback
5G will allow haptic feedback to synchronise with user input. This means that vibrations or jolts which add to the enjoyment of a game will become more effective.
It certainly seems that 2021, and the years following, are looking pretty good for gamers.
