5 technologies that experts say will transform the video game industry

The industry of gaming It is constantly evolving, largely driven by technological advances, but also by players’ need for increasingly real experiences. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies and artificial intelligence, which once seemed like a science fiction fantasy in films like Minority Report, Avatar And Ready player one, They no longer seem so far removed from current reality.

In the next five years we will likely see a radical change in the scene gamer, powered by these and other innovative technologies that have the potential to create more immersive, personalized and interactive gaming experiences and keep players engaged for longer.

Cesar Sanchez, country manager from Kingston Technology for Ecuador and Peru, describes to us what, from the perspective of developers, will mark the future of video games in the near future.

Virtual reality (VR): enter immersive worlds

Virtual reality (VR) has long promised an unprecedented level of immersion, although progress has been slower than expected. However, the industry gaming remains committed to pushing the boundaries of VR technology. Companies like Meta, Valve, PlayStation and Samsung have invested heavily in it hardware and VR games. The VR gaming industry is expected to grow by 30.5% by 2028, reflecting significant potential for the future.

However, this technology comes with certain challenges. Bulky, expensive headphones have limited their appeal to a niche audience. To fully utilize its potential, the hardware VR must become more comfortable, affordable and socially inclusive.

Furthermore, the fact that the virtual reality experience is so lonely could limit its growth potential, forcing developers to promote more collaborative versions of games.

Augmented reality (AR): the gaming meets the real world

Augmented reality (AR), which overlays digital elements on top of the physical world, gained widespread attention following the success of Pokémon Go. This mobile AR game, which has generated approximately $1 billion in annual revenue, demonstrated the power of combining digital and real-world experiences. The success of AR games lies in their ability to allow players to experience a video game in reality and in the ability to interact with others, rather than isolating them.

According to the Grand View portal, AR is expected to reach a value of up to $274.4 billion by 2027. One of the main factors behind the growing popularity of AR games lies in their accessibility, as players do not need to purchase special equipment. in stark contrast to virtual reality (VR).

Artificial intelligence (AI): shaping gameplay and content creation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new to the world of gaming, as it has been used for creating non-player characters (NPCs) and generating game items. Recent advances in AI have enabled more advanced behavior for NPCs, improving gameplay complexity, as well as the creation of more realistic characters, automatic generation of game content, and personalization of the gaming experience for each player .

According to an IDC report, the global AI market is in the gaming will reach $20 billion by 2024. This growth is driven by the increasing complexity of games, which increasingly require the help of AI to create more realistic and engaging experiences.

While AI is unlikely to replace human game developers, it offers exciting possibilities for personalized gaming experiences. AI-generated art transforms graphic creation, allowing for more efficient and creative game development.

High fidelity images

Video games have come a long way in the pursuit of ultra-realistic graphics. Manufacturers have made significant progress in creating graphics cards that enable high-fidelity visuals in games, as well as techniques such as ray tracing. With this technology, which promises a paradigm shift, an algorithm actually simulates the behavior of light on objects in a game. It will mainly be used in triple A games, games developed by major video game publishers with high budgets.

However, not all games of the future will be designed with such realistic graphics, especially indie games that will have a more stylized, in some cases even cartoonish, aesthetic. This keeps costs low, but the game remains attractive. This approach is becoming increasingly common in the mobile virtual reality space.

The metaverse

The concept of the metaverse, a parallel virtual world, is gaining relevance in circles gaming and technology. While we’re still far from a full view of the metaverse, we can see glimpses of it on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, where users interact, socialize, and even connect with brands and artists. The metaverse will redefine the way people connect and engage digitally.

“All these new technologies rely on memory and storage. VR and AR require users to immerse themselves in virtual environments that are as realistic as possible. This means they need to store and process large amounts of data, such as images, videos and audio, with low latency. The metaverse is an even more ambitious concept that involves interaction in virtual worlds between people and objects, which requires real-time data storage and processing. At Kingston, we are aware that our solutions will be essential in the evolution and success of these technologies,” said César Sánchez, country manager from Kingston Technology for Ecuador and Peru. (JO)