Gaming as we know it got its start in the 1970s and went on to become one of the technological wonders of the 20th century. While games back then were pretty basic — simple, pixelated graphics and rudimentary sound effects — they left players with a sense of awe. After all, video games were a new form of entertainment, unlike anything they'd ever seen before. These early games would lay the foundation for the impressive titles we enjoy today.
Each new generation of technology has allowed game developers to push the boundaries of what gaming can be. Gamers today take for granted the immersive worlds and stunning graphics that have become standard in the gaming industry. They've come to expect the games they play will have engrossing storylines with personalized interactions that feel almost like real life. In this article, we look at how technological advancements are shaping the future of gaming.
If you've visited an online casino and noticed that the platform seemed to have an uncanny sense of the games you like and the bonuses that would make sense for your playing style, you weren't imagining things; you were experiencing the magic of AI at work. The iGaming industry has been at the forefront of using AI to improve the gaming experience through personalization and unique experiences tailored to each player. When a gamer steps into one of these virtual spaces and chooses a game like roulette to play, as they watch the wheel spin as the tiny white ball is released, AI algorithms are working in the background, analyzing their gameplay. Based on the player's behavior, the platform might recommend other variations of roulette or point them in the direction of different table games. The goal is to deliver an experience the player will enjoy that meets their expectations.
AI works a little bit differently with other gaming genres, especially RPGs and simulation games that feature non-player characters or NPCs. Not long ago, NPCs couldn't do much; they took up space in a game but never engaged in any meaningful dialogue with the game's protagonist. These heavily scripted characters were often the butt of gamers' jokes in online forums, especially when they'd do something like get stuck behind an object or wall or end up repeating the same lines over and over again.
AI has changed all of that, creating intelligent NPCs that can respond in real time to a player's behavior. These NPCs have become more unpredictable and life-like, adding a level of realism to these titles that was once missing. As good as AI is today, this technology will only get better, making our gaming experiences even more memorable along the way.
One of the technologies that has the most potential to change the way we play video games is virtual reality (VR). For a long time, the price of VR headsets put them out of the reach of the average gamer. However, in the past couple of years, the price of these headsets has started to drop, and VR has increasingly become a mainstream part of gaming. There's still a long way to go, but right now, players can experience the power of this technology when they play games like Half-Life: Alyx, which delivers a level of realism that was once thought unachievable in the video game industry.
Augmented reality (AR) is another technology that's making waves in the gaming industry. The most popular title to use this technology is Pokémon Go, which allows players to capture and go to battle with digital creatures in real-world environments, like parks, city streets, and even local landmarks. Pokémon Go was released back in 2016, but it still has a loyal following, with gamers organizing events and community meetups to catch rare Pokémon and participate in special in-game events.
As technology continues to improve, we'll see VR and AR becoming even more important to gaming. Games using this technology will do an even better job of blending the real and virtual worlds and creating exciting experiences.
