For as long as the gaming industry has existed, it has always evolved hand in hand with technology. New tech innovations have pushed developers to adapt and release new games with the latest tech. Software or hardware, it doesn’t matter. Game consoles push new generations of graphics every 6-7 years, and whenever there’s new software tech available, game developers use it in their games.
This is applicable to many gaming branches, including iGaming. The latest slots close the gap with video games, using sophisticated features that pay wonders. The future of gaming is certainly bright, and these are the technologies that will help it change in the future.
Blockchain Integration
Don’t think for a second that the blockchain isn’t part of the future of gaming as it’s already used to a huge extent at online casino sites, and many small video game developers are pushing out games developed entirely on the blockchain. Free-to-play games adopt the model too, as the blockchain has proven a great foundation for the future of gaming.
It’s safer to use than current platforms, much more flexible, and allows crypto payment integration as well. This is especially important as many games that don’t run on freemium models have premium pay-to-play models. The blockchain is expected to be one of the pillars of gaming’s future, and it’s already being implemented to some degree. In the future, we might see games built entirely on the blockchain, which will make them available worldwide, bypassing certain restrictions.
The Metaverse
The Metaverse can easily be described as a virtual gaming realm where players can log in and live another life. It should combine virtual and augmented reality with a free economy and interoperability at every level.
Of course, we’re still far away from a functional metaverse. But, Meta, the company that owns Facebook, has already implemented a basic model. As a result, we can watch virtual music concepts or visit virtual casinos with augmented reality that shows you the limits on tables or similar specifics.
More and more companies are working to build a metaverse from the ground up. It’s only a matter of time before it sees the digital light of day, offering a new level of interaction and proving that gaming is more than just playing games.
AI and VR
Artificial intelligence is the hottest topic in the tech industry by far nowadays. It’s implemented in a range of industries, including gaming. Many studios have decided to employ AI models for their characters, which sound almost like the real deal. It’s cutting back expenses by millions, even if some players and experts are against it.
There’s no question that it’s one of the world’s best tech innovations, but only if used properly. Many countries are still against the idea of artificial intelligence and letting it run crucial operations. But, the future likely depends on AI – we just hope it doesn’t turn Skynet on us.
Virtual reality is another tech innovation that’s supposed to change the gaming industry. VR games are already being released, including the likes of Valve’s Half-Life: Alyx, and Oculus Studios’ Arkham Shadow. Putting players in the driving seat this way is already doing wonders. In the future, VR will evolve even further, pushing the boundaries of gaming to something we’ve only seen in old-school sci-fi movies.
Freemium Games
Free-to-play games have already proved a massive hit. Their popularity has skyrocketed in the past few years, with stats showing values of over $80 billion in 2024 alone. Overwatch and Apex Legends are two games that have popularized the model. There’s a trick to their growing value. They offer in-game purchases which are mostly cosmetic, like skins, but nevertheless, they drive incredible revenue.
Major game companies such as Activision Blizzard are gambling on this model, and that gamble is paying off. The latest reports state that in-game purchases in Call of Duty, WoW, and Overwatch amount to $2.64 billion in a single quarter in 2024. The numbers will grow even further in the future, so it’s safe to say that the future of gaming is largely freemium.
Like it or not, this model works for game companies, so expect to see more free-to-play games coming soon.
