The gaming industry has always been at the forefront of technology, using it to enhance the gaming experience for its customers. Whether you’re a casual gamer who enjoys playing Candy Crush Saga or a hardcore gamer who enjoys battle royale-style titles, technology has shaped how you play video games. With more and more people logging onto computers and mobile devices to play games these days, the industry is constantly seeking ways to increase gaming’s accessibility, and technology plays a significant role in that. Keep reading to learn about technology’s impact on gaming.
Online Casinos
A few years ago, going to a land-based casino was the only way to have an authentic casino experience. Technology has changed everything, making it possible to play everything from table games to slots online. And that’s not all: the live casino experience has been transformed, allowing players to interact with dealers and interact with other players. Live video streams broadcast the games to participants, allowing them to experience the thrill of playing games such as baccarat, roulette and blackjack from the comfort of their own homes.
Mobile Gaming
While the radio is still a morning staple for many who commute to work in a car, if you use public transportation, chances are you’ve spent time playing games on your mobile device. Smartphones and high-speed internet helped revolutionize gaming and bring it to the masses by placing thousands of games in the palms of our hands.
Although smartphone graphics couldn’t compete with what was available on PCs and consoles when they were first released, the concept of whipping out a game to pass the time while in line at the supermarket or waiting for the bus quickly became popular. As graphics and processor speeds have continued to improve, mobile gaming has become the preference of many gamers, surpassing PC and console sales.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
If you’ve ever played Pokémon Go, then you’ve experienced augmented reality (AR) in a video game. The title took the world by storm, with players across the globe determined to catch as many Pokémon as possible. AR and virtual reality (VR) are considered by many to be two of the most important technological innovations in recent years.
When you play a game using a VR or AR headset, you’re transported to the heart of that world and immersed in a life-like experience. This technology lets users experience games from an immersive first-person perspective that’s impossible to replicate in traditional gaming. While AR and VR gaming isn’t yet mainstream, it’s gaining steam as the prices of headsets fall. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself playing most of your games in VR instead of in front of a screen in just a few short years.
Entertainment Kiosks
From video games to movies, it’s undeniable that a lot has changed since the 80s. Technology is responsible for many of these shifts. Back in the 80s, video game arcades were places where people gathered to play the latest titles. Today you’d be hard-pressed to find an arcade in your neighborhood, but what you might come across is an entertainment kiosk.
Entertainment kiosks are tablets that deliver mobile gaming to customers visiting a business establishment, most commonly a restaurant. Customers can play games while they wait for their orders and pay the bill for their food and drinks when they’ve finished eating. It’s a twist on the 80s arcades for the 21st century.
Social Gaming
Before the turn of the century, gaming was often a solo pursuit, with dedicated players spending hours in front of a PC or TV exploring fantasy worlds. When gamers wanted a social experience, they could invest in extra controllers, invite friends round, or venture out to play games at an arcade.
The advent of the internet revolutionized gaming. People no longer had to organize games nights. Instead, they could connect with friends online to play their favorite titles. High-speed internet took online gaming to the next level, spawning the development of massively multiplayer online games and allowing people to compete against players worldwide.
