The gaming industry is constantly improving. What used to be considered difficult to realize is now almost universally available. What technologies will be at the top of game development in the near future? Technology is one of the fastest growing fields in human history. The increase in various parameters is almost exponentially progressive. And what about the gaming industry – what technologies will dominate in 5-10 years? Let’s reflect on this topic in detail.
As we explore the future of gaming, it’s also useful to consider the integration of online platforms that enhance the user experience. For instance, websites like Slotozen are being critically examined in comprehensive reviews such as the Stay casino no deposit bonus code, which provides insights into user engagement and the effectiveness of new technologies in the online gaming sector. These platforms illustrate how technological advancements can be applied to create more immersive and interactive gaming experiences, reflecting broader trends in the industry. This intersection of technology and user experience is crucial for understanding the trajectory of gaming technology over the next decade.
Table of Contents
Cloud Gaming
The history of cloud gamming began back in 2010 – that’s when the first companies appeared in the form of OneLive and others, which offered services of launching games on remote platforms. However, all these services never achieved success, at least not the one necessary for payback.
Today the situation is a little more positive – such large platforms as Playstation Now, GeForce NOW and VK Play Cloud are working steadily. And a few other smaller companies offering access to high-performance PCs. However, even now with the huge investment, gameplaying via a cloud service is not that popular. For example, GeForce NOW already has about 100 million users in 75 countries and involves 27 data centres. But even so, this is only a small drop in the ocean… Google Stadia’s Sevris closed down after three years.
There were several reasons – high prices for games, small selection and inability to compete with other platforms. There are also difficulties for users. For example, if we talk about GeForce NOW – the main problem is unstable connection, high ping and even queues due to the fact that the servers simply can’t cope with the flow of gamers.
So why this technology can take the dominant position in gamemade in a few years? There are several reasons for this.
The first is the increasing availability and speed of the Internet. In cities and towns, 100 Mbps has become almost the accepted minimum, and in Russia it is one of the cheapest Internet connections. In megacities, operators offer fibre optics with a speed of 1 Gbit/s. And this is not to mention the forthcoming spread of 5G networks. All this will allow to use cloud services with maximum convenience even in 4K resolution, without worrying about delays.
The second is the rise in the cost of components. New video cards and processors offer really outstanding performance, but their price tag is gradually rising upwards. To put together a high-performance assembly now requires from $ 1000, and further it will only get more expensive. And that’s not to mention such phenomena as miners, which can cause prices to skyrocket.
As a result, not everyone will be able to build a high-performance computer in time, and that’s when cloud services will attract attention.
The third is the small number of AAA releases. Let’s be honest, most gamers collect top-end PCs in order to turn everything on “ultra”, turn on “rays” and enjoy the beauty of the game world. But only big-budget games, which are usually released no more than ten per year, offer all this. For example, in 2023 beautiful graphics on PC could boast only once that Dead Space remake, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Cyberpunk 2077 DLC: Phantom Liberty and Alan Wake 2. The rest were either relatively undemanding or didn’t offer photorealistic visuals.
And not everyone is ready to buy a computer for a couple of thousand dollars literally for a few games. Especially since in 3-4 years your build will already be somewhat obsolete! With a cloud platform this problem disappears. You can subscribe literally for a month, play the game you are interested in at maximum graphics settings, and then refuse to use the service. Convenient and inexpensive!
Virtual Reality
Another promising technology that is still waiting for its star hour. The first relatively modern helmets in the person of Oculus Rift DK1 began to appear back in 2013. Since then, VR helmets have come a long way from complex, heavy, and not-so-advanced devices to models like the PS VR2 and Valve Index. But what’s limiting the widespread use of virtual reality?
First and foremost is price. Some helmets require high-performance hardware, so you’ll have to buy not only a VR kit, but also a top-of-the-line PC. Yes, there are standalone models without the need to connect to a computer like Oculus Quest 2 based on Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2. But their games aren’t as colourful either, as the hardware isn’t as powerful.
However, there is already a trend towards a gradual decrease in prices. If earlier VR-helmets were a kind of gimmick at an impressive cost, now it is a relatively mass product. At the same time such games as Half Life: Alyx and Horizon: Call of the Mountain showed that virtual reality can be colourful and all-consuming, offering much more immersion than any monitor.
The second problem with VR is the lack of convenience. Some helmets still require a wired connection to the computer. Many models are quite heavy and wearing them for long periods of time is problematic. Not the most convenient and controllers, and low screen resolution and imperfect lenses can spoil the impression. But all the difficulties are being actively solved and in 5-10 years helmets may become as comfortable as in science fiction films like “First Player Ready”.
With the advent of high-performance hardware and high-speed wireless access, wires will be gone forever. The PS VR2 already has an impressive 2000×2040 pixel resolution per eye. Gaze tracking technology is also available. Controllers from Valve Index, for example, can also track the position of individual fingers, which opens up more options for interaction in games.
As a result, it won’t be long before VR becomes advanced and inexpensive enough to become a full-fledged competitor to conventional gaming with a monitor.
Neural Networks
Artificial intelligence is being tightly implemented in almost every field. Facial recognition, content generation, automated diagnosis of diseases, chatbots and more. Neural networks will play their role in gamdev as well.
First of all, it is advanced AI of opponents. Now to create enemies we use Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithm (MCTS or Monte Carlo Tree Search), which determines the enemy’s behaviour taking into account your actions. But as you can see, not always the AI has adequate behaviour. But with neural networks, the situation may change dramatically.
For example, in 2019, the artificial intelligence from OpenAI beat the strongest cyber athletes of the world in Dota 2 – the OG team. The neural network was trained for 10 months, which for it is equivalent to 45 years of playing Dota 2.
Another application is simplifying development. Dozens of artists, animators and programmers are needed to create a game. But what if we entrust some of the work to a neural network? For example, to create a texture of some object, draw a background or write some code? For indie developers such help will be invaluable. For example, in “No Man’s Sky” the AI creates an infinite space world where no element is repeated. In the free 2D action game Shoon, all graphical elements are created by a neural network!
Conclusion
As we examine the potential trajectory of cloud gaming, virtual reality, and neural networks, it’s evident that the gaming industry stands on the brink of a technological revolution. Each of these technologies not only promises to enhance the immersive experience of gaming but also aims to make it more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.
Cloud gaming, with its promise of high-quality gaming without the need for expensive hardware, is likely to become more prevalent as internet speeds increase and service costs decrease. This could democratize access to the latest games, allowing more people to enjoy high-end gaming experiences without the significant upfront investment in personal gaming rigs.
Virtual reality continues to push the boundaries of immersive gaming, providing experiences that are increasingly indistinguishable from reality. As hardware becomes more affordable and user-friendly, VR is set to become a staple in the gaming arsenal, offering new ways for players to engage and interact within digital worlds.
Neural networks represent perhaps the most futuristic aspect of gaming technology. By enhancing AI capabilities within games, developers can create more dynamic and responsive environments. This not only improves gameplay but also has the potential to revolutionize game design, making the creation process more efficient and opening up new possibilities for innovation.
In conclusion, the future of gaming is bright, with these technologies leading the charge towards a more immersive, accessible, and dynamic future. As these technologies continue to evolve and intersect, they will undoubtedly redefine what it means to play, create, and experience games. The next decade will be crucial in shaping this exciting future, promising an era of gaming that is more inclusive, engaging, and revolutionary than ever before.
