For some time, the gaming world has been evolving. What we now call gaming looks completely different from what gaming was at the beginning. With technology evolving and over $120 billion in the industry, it’s safe to say that gaming is the best possible version of itself at the moment. So, what’s exactly going in the gaming industry as we speak? Let’s take a few minutes to look at the gaming industry trends that look set to define the 2020s.
More games will be remastered
Now, we have an entire generation that grew up playing video games on PC and consoles. The nostalgia trend has been around for a couple of years now and players are given a chance to play their favorite childhood games again. Remastered versions are being released more frequently and they’re performing well. Warcraft III: Reforged and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition have brought back strategy games and come with graphics way better than before. Not to mention that what were once mostly single-player or LAN games now offer online play that completely changes the field for players. With games such as Resident Evil 3 and Final Fantasy VII getting their new versions, expect the nostalgia trend to continue throughout the decade.
Games will go mobile
People have been making the switch to mobile for a while now. It’s just that using mobile devices is more convenient than sitting behind a desktop. While games available on mobile devices weren’t nowhere close to PC and console games, things are starting to change. In fact, you can now play the same games on your PC and on your smartphone. Games such as Fortnite and PUBG have set the new standard and offering mobile gaming experience is now a must. Even some of the most popular games around such as League of Legends are about to get mobile versions of their own with League of Legends: Wild Rift about to be released soon. More slots and pokers apps are constantly being released as well.
Cross-play options
Ever since online console gaming has become popular, players have been dreaming about being able to play with their friends on other consoles. It’s just that nobody can afford having two consoles and most gamers have to choose between PlayStation and Xbox. Luckily, it looks like game developers are starting to realize that offering a cross-play option is one of the best ways to keep their customers happy. While this doesn’t mean that we’ll be given a chance to cross-play right away, game developers might start making pressure on console companies to offer this feature. Maybe, 2020s is exactly when we’ll see cross-play come to life.
VR Gaming will take the next step
The concept of VR has been around for some time. Yet, we’re still waiting to see the technologies full potential. The good news is that we get to see VR gaming at its best in the next ten years or so. Experts are working on designing the best PSVR lenses, VR headsets possible and improving in-game graphics. Some of the releases we got to see this year have been labeled as massive improvement and more is to come in the 2020s. If you’re not sure yet, just take a look at games such as Half Life: Alyx and The Walking Dead Onslaught and you’ll know what we’re talking about. Also, some of the virtual reality casinos available right now look great and they’ll only improve over years.
The rise of F2P games
In case you’ve been playing games since the start of the 21st century, you know that not so many games were free-to-play (F2P) in those days. If you wanted to play a game, you had to buy it. Nowadays, things are different and we might be witnessing a real revolution when it comes to F2P. Some of the most popular games right now including Fortnite and League of Legends are free to play. Game developers offer everyone a chance to play their game and they make money through in-game purchases that don’t impact the gameplay outside of graphics. Players absolutely love this concept and more game developers will consider building F2P games in the 2020s.
Streamers will own the web
There’s no need to say how popular live streaming is at the moment. Platforms such as Twitch have become gaming enthusiasts’ favorite place online and many of them prefer watching live streamers over playing video games. Live streaming is a Gen Z thing and there’s no doubt this phenomenon will reach new heights in the next ten years. The numbers revolving around live streaming are already insane and they might increase even more. For example, a streamer called Ninja has 15 million Twitch subscribers and his net worth stands at $25 million at the time of writing.
Over to you
One thing’s for sure – 2020s will be exciting for every gamer out there. The best part of it is that we’ll see some entirely new concepts in the world of gaming and none of us could be more excited about it.
