The uptick in the widespread acceptance of gaming, right since 2020, continues unabated. The year 2022 has been one of exponential growth for the industry, as nine out of 10 gamers are mobile gaming loyalists accounting for a whopping 70% of app store revenue. Technology is advancing at a fast pace and with the current level of gameplay and user experience, there will be 3.07 billion mobile gamers worldwide by the end of next year.
As the march continues into 2023, here are a few trends to look out for:
New games and other next-generation consoles
Global supply-chain disruptions had caused a slowdown in the launch of new games. As next-gen consoles helped resolve this pain point successfully, we are looking at the release of several much-anticipated titles in 2023.
Augmented reality gaming
With virtual reality and augmented reality at our fingertips today, the ripple effect on the gaming industry has been evident. Triple-A games are set to take the gaming stage by fire, and users can experience the game’s content in real-time using a visual interface created by combining images and video in augmented reality games. Unlike VR gaming, augmented reality leverages the real world to develop playable scenarios. With innovation, one doesn’t need specialized headphones to play AR-enabled games. Instead, the user can see and play virtual reality games using a mobile device. Pokémon Go is a cutting-edge example of an AR game application that uses GPS, cellphones, and cameras.
Cross-platform gaming
Cross-platform gaming has been the single most crucial innovation that has allowed the unique tribe of online gamers to come together. It allows gamers to compete with players – friends and strangers – regardless of location or platform and build their own tribe. Irrespective of their preferred platform such as a console, PC, or Android phone, a cross-platform game makes it far more accessible and collaborative.
Wearable gaming
Wearable technology, or wearables as they are popularly known, allows for micro-data collection. This collection, processing, and transmission of data become extremely valuable for the gaming industry to make their games smarter and more intuitive. It enables the introduction of features that aid players’ concentration and performance. Given this enhanced experience, there is a rapid increase in demand for these wearables, particularly among competitive players.
Blockchain
Due to its robust data encryption technology, blockchain has altered the rules of the gaming industry by reinventing its prospects. It allows businesses to protect their apps by disallowing hackers’ attempts to access gamer details. Safe in-game purchases are now possible, thanks to blockchain, which has the potential to be a game-changing, cutting-edge, and exciting platform for creating and storing in-game assets while boosting creators’ safety and security.
And the 5G network
The most advanced cellular technology – the 5G network, is set to revolutionize the industry. Its high-speed internet and significantly lower latency are set to usher in several new advancements in the gaming business. Cloud gaming could be the first industry that 5G internet disrupts, because processing power no longer needs to be in one’s control but could instead be on a server somewhere.
In the past couple of years, the eSports industry has witnessed tremendous growth, both in terms of gamers and income. The industry clocks in approximately $1 billion in revenue, thanks to significant technological advancements and millions of ardent fans worldwide. This has brought brands flocking towards eSports marketing, both directly and indirectly. According to research by Markets and Markets, the worldwide esports market will grow at a CAGR of 18.61% to touch USD $2,174.8 million in 2023. According to Newzoo, 3.07 billion individuals will use mobile devices to play games worldwide and possibly add 10,000–12,000 jobs. by 2023, according to IBEF data.
While the games market is a cluttered one with multiple new players and new games hitting the virtual world every day, the constant release for something new ensures that the appetite remains high. In this highly competitive sector, good production can only hold a game above the rest – high-quality graphics, complex games with rich worlds that can be accessed via all devices, good production standards, and exciting & unique gameplay experiences. Companies are cognizant of this unrelenting demand, and gamers have a rewarding time ahead for the tribe.
2023 is set to be an exciting time for the gaming ecosystem – developers, companies, and gamers alike!
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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