If you have been paying attention to the gaming industry over recent years, you’ll know just how impressive some of the latest releases are.
Gamers will queue for days just to catch the latest release and they will even take holidays from work to dedicate time to trying them out. But why have these games become so popular over recent years? The answer to this question is simple – technology has advanced a lot.
Over the course of 2021, we expect some of the big games developers to really innovate and make use of new technology to create something special. Below, we thought we would discuss some of the tech trends that are shaping the gaming industry in 2021. Read on to hear what these are.
Cloud Gaming
Have you ever heard of cloud gaming? This is a relatively new concept, and it is taking the world by storm. We have all heard of cloud computing and many of us use it every single day to perform tasks on our laptops but what if this could be incorporated into the gaming industry? Some of the big games companies such as Nintendo are now offering cloud gaming which allows you to stream video games from servers without having to download them. Facebook have launched a gaming branch which are focusing on cloud gaming too. Google did, but have recently shut down their internal studios, which has created some issues for their platform. This is not only innovative, but it is also exciting for players who want to experience something different. Additionally, gamers are finding that they can save money by investing in cloud games rather than having to buy a new game card each time a game is released. We expect this to become the norm in 2021.
3D Facial Scanning
Did you know that some games developers are now incorporating 3D facial scanning technology into their games? While this might sound like something you’d find in a sci-fi movie, it is actually a reality in some cases. With the help of this innovative tech, gamers are able to create a likeness of their face and appear in the game. This is totally transforming the way in which we create avatars in video games, and it allows players to immerse themselves in another world. We hope that 3D facial scanning tech will continue to shape the gaming industry over the coming year.
Live Streaming Technology
It goes without saying that live streaming technology has been a major factor in eSports’ increase in popularity over recent years. With gamers from around the world now able to tune in and catch a stream of the latest eSports tournament from their home, this technology is really starting to shape the industry. Additionally, sports betting platforms can stream these tournaments and offer stakes on the winner for players who want to get involved. Live streaming technology is also effective on platforms like Twitch and YouTube! Some influencers in this area rely on streaming to increase their audience size and are making a great living that way.
Virtual Reality
Have you noticed the increase in virtual reality games recently? This technology is by no means breaking news in the gaming industry, but it is something that is becoming much more mainstream in 2021. While we aren’t seeing some of the biggest developers in the industry using VR tech just yet, some smaller games companies are incorporating it into their games and offering headsets at a lower price than before. This means that more households around the world are getting the opportunity to try VR in their living room and this is very exciting for the games industry. Hopefully, VR will continue to shape the industry.
Wearable Gaming
Another tech trend that is shaping the gaming industry this year is the use of wearable gaming devices. These devices have been growing in popularity over recent years, but only recently have we seen some of the biggest companies like Nintendo really put them to good use. Some developers are ignoring the traditional role of a controller and are trying out products that can be worn on your wrist or even your leg. With wearable technology, gamers can immerse themselves in the game much more easily and this could be something that we see even more in 2021.
Keep An Eye Out
2021 has already begun and we have seen some impressive games announcements already. Developers often rely on new tech to help them to innovate and so this needs to be a collaborative effort. As new tech is introduced to the market, games will start to become even more advanced than ever before. This is something that we all have to look forward to so that we can live out our sci-fi gaming dreams. For now, keep an eye on the tech that we have mentioned here in this article.
