It goes without saying that the future of video games is bright. The billion-dollar industry continues to evolve, and major companies are consistently innovating to be ahead of the pack.
If you’re looking to pursue a college degree in Bachelor of Science in Entertainment and Multimedia Computing, how will the industry look for you? Here are some of the key trends taking the video game industry by storm:
Banking on nostalgia
In order to anticipate the future, you have to appreciate the past. Several game developers nowadays capitalize on the nostalgia factor. In fact, updates to old favorites like Mario Kart and the role-playing game Zelda recently rolled out, appealing not only to fans of the original games but also the younger generation.
Some of today’s most popular games also take inspiration from past gaming hits. Learning the rich history of the industry should be a prerequisite for every aspiring game developer, but it will also pay to look back on older video game trends.
AR/VR
A lot of video game companies have embraced augmented reality and virtual reality to take the gaming experience to the levels. With the current progress in the world of video game development, people will get to play Ready Player One-style very soon.
The appeal of AR and VR games is how players are able to take part in realistically programmed worlds that engage their senses much more extensively compared to any earlier iteration of video games, adding new layers of excitement to the experience.
The rise of eSports
While contact sports and most athletic events were either canceled or postponed, this paved the way for one particular sporting event to thrive. The world is embracing the fact that elite gamers are not just video gaming enthusiasts, but also respectable athletes.
In line with the growing popularity of eSports is the demand for video games that meet the highly competitive standards of elite players—from creating a virtual world that mimics an actual live audience, to amping up the difficulty levels to test even the most skilled players.
Embracing diversity
Gone are the days wherein gamers are mostly young men. Nowadays, more video game companies are welcoming developers across the gender spectrum. Some companies even embrace the brilliant developing abilities of people with disabilities.
Diversity in game development goes beyond manpower. A successful video game needs to be available on different platforms, such as PC, and even smartphones. By diversifying the platforms the games are available in, developers are able to reach a wider audience.
New business models
The way video game companies make money continues to evolve as well. Nowadays, some of the most dominant models in the market are free-to-play and Gaming-as-a-Service (GaaS). Free-to-play games grant access to gamers at no initial charge. Opportunities for monetization, such as the removal of ads, get introduced as they continue to play.
On the other hand, GaaS is basically a subscription-based, on-demand streaming service. Essentially, gamers only get to access the video game hosting servers by paying a subscription fee.
5G and cloud adaptation
5G technology has dramatically improved people’s gaming experience, especially those who play video games through the cloud. 5G latency is significantly lower, meaning there is less lagging and faster gaming.
Cloud adaptation has also altered the way video games are created, delivered, and played. For a video game to reach a wider audience, it needs to be available for download in the digital space to allow gamers access to more titles regardless of their location.
A bright future ahead
The possibilities are endless with new trends surfacing in the realm of entertainment and multimedia computing. Gamers continue to evolve, and so do the opportunities for graduates of Entertainment and Multimedia Computing.
In order to prepare for the future of gaming, you need to arm yourself with basic skills and theories. By enrolling at CIIT Philippines, not only will you be able to learn the tricks of the trade, but you’ll also gain quick access to the latest trends in the industry. Our academic institution promotes high-quality, industry-based teaching, which means we make sure you’re ready to take on the future. Explore our college courses today to get started.