Rewind the clock 20 years, and we all thought that we had reached peak gaming. At any given point in time, we think we’re pushing the boundaries of games and what they’re capable of. Looking back across the decades, we now see that there is plenty more that could be done, and we’re currently living in a golden age of gaming across the board.
Obviously, given another twenty years, we will yet again discover that what we play now is “outdated”. However, at the moment there are games for all kinds of players which are absolutely highlighting the wonders of technology as we know it today. Perhaps the best part? How interactive and immersive such technologies have become.
3D Virtual Reality
VR technology is the best thing to happen to gaming since… maybe ever. The experience allows true immersion and the ability to interact with an environment during a game.
We’re seeing everyone from driving game makers to Disney wanting to get in on the action, providing people with the ultimate experience to throw them into the fast lane.
But virtual reality isn’t just for those looking for thrills and chills – sometimes a simple escape from reality will do. In collaboration with NetEnt, a premium provider of gaming services to online casinos, Mr Green are offering fans of casino games the chance to “be there” themselves. While at present, players have the chance to “visit” Mr Green’s LA penthouse as they play, there’s scope to expand this to places like a yacht on the Med or a Scottish castle as well. Aptly called “Live Beyond Live”, players won’t feel like they’re just sat around at home!
Augmented Reality
2016 saw Pokemon once again have its day in the sun. Instead of Gameboy and DS games of old, Pokemon Go allowed a new – and previous – generation of fans to literally take to the streets to enjoy the game.
The premise that you actually have to go out and about to play the game is genius. It gives the whole thing a “real-world” feel, because you have to genuinely explore to do better in the game. Players are rewarded for such things as walking, going to new areas to find different Pokemon, and battling at different gyms for other rewards as well. These days, you can even trade in the game – adding in a social, community element as well.
If augmented reality continues in this manner, lots of other games could well get people out of the doors and off their couch.
Interactive & Social Games
Interactive games first saw immense popularity in the 90s. Instead of sitting around with a controller on a console, a new generation of gamers could get in on the action.
Dance mats, once the favourite in arcades, came to people’s very own homes thanks to PlayStation. For a while, every young child wanted one for sleepovers and playtime. Guitar Hero followed, and then an abundance of Wii games like bowling did, too. Who said games were about sitting around?!
Of course, being social is often an accompaniment to the game that doesn’t require others to be physically present with you. Games from RPGs to first-person shooters can be streamed live, played in tandem with others worldwide, or aided through new online friends in your headset.
Many of the above use elements of each other’s technologies to provide the full package. We’re just excited for a day where you can barely tell that you’re playing at all!
No comments so far.
Be first to leave comment below.