The gaming industry is constantly evolving, driven largely by technological advances but also by gamers’ eagerness for increasingly realistic experiences. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence technologies, which once seemed like science fiction fantasies in movies like Minority Report, Avatar, and Ready Player One, no longer seem so far from today’s reality.
In the next five years, we are likely to see a radical change in the gaming scene, driven by these and other innovative technologies that have the potential to create more immersive, personalized, and interactive gaming experiences, keeping players engaged for longer.
Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions that make this evolution possible, explores how these new technologies will impact the future of gaming.
Virtual Reality (VR): Unlocking Immersive Worlds
Virtual Reality (VR) has long promised an unparalleled level of immersion, although progress has been slower than expected. However, the gaming industry remains committed to pushing the boundaries of VR technology. Companies like Meta, Valve, PlayStation, and Samsung have invested heavily in VR hardware and games. The VR gaming industry is projected to grow by 30.5% by 2028, reflecting significant potential for the future.
However, this technology presents certain challenges. Bulky and expensive headsets have limited its appeal to a niche audience. To fully realize its potential, VR hardware must become more comfortable, affordable, and socially inclusive.
Additionally, the fact that the virtual reality experience is so solitary could limit its growth potential, so developers need to promote more collaborative game versions.
Augmented Reality (AR): Where Gaming Meets the Real World
Augmented Reality (AR), which overlays digital elements onto the physical world, gained widespread attention with the success of Pokémon Go. This AR mobile game, which has generated approximately $1 billion in annual sales, demonstrated the power of combining digital and real-world experiences. The success of AR games lies in their ability to let players experience a video game within reality and interact with others, rather than isolating them.
According to Grand View, AR is expected to reach a value of up to $274.4 billion by 2027. One of the key factors behind the growing popularity of AR games lies in their accessibility, as players do not need to purchase special equipment, in stark contrast to virtual reality (VR).
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Shaping Gameplay and Content Creation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not new to the gaming world, as it has been used for the creation of non-player characters (NPCs) and the generation of game assets. Recent advances in AI have enabled more sophisticated behaviors for NPCs, enhancing gameplay complexity, as well as the creation of more realistic characters, automatic game content generation, and personalized gaming experiences for each player.
According to an IDC report, the global AI in gaming market will reach $20 billion in 2024. This growth is being driven by the increasing complexity of games, which increasingly require AI to create more realistic and engaging experiences.
Although it is unlikely that AI will replace human game developers, it offers exciting possibilities for personalized gaming experiences. AI-generated art is changing graphics creation, enabling more efficient and creative game development.
High-Fidelity Graphics: Realism vs. Stylized Aesthetics
In the quest for ultra-realistic graphics, video games have come a long way. Manufacturers have made significant advances in creating graphics cards that enable high-fidelity images in games, as well as techniques like ray tracing. With this technology, which promises to be a paradigm shift, an algorithm actually simulates the behavior of light on objects within a game. It will be used mainly in triple-A games, those developed by major video game publishers with large budgets.
However, not all future games will be designed with such realistic graphics, especially independent games that will have a more stylized, sometimes even cartoonish, aesthetic. This way, costs remain low, but the game remains attractive. This approach is becoming increasingly common in the mobile virtual reality space.
The Metaverse: A New Frontier
The concept of the metaverse, a parallel virtual world, is gaining relevance in gaming and technology circles. Although we are still far from having a complete vision of the metaverse, glimpses of it can be seen on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, where users interact, socialize, and even engage with brands and artists. The metaverse will redefine how people connect and participate digitally.
“All these new technologies depend on memory and storage. VR and AR require users to immerse themselves in virtual environments that are as realistic as possible. This means they need to store and process large amounts of data, such as images, videos, and audio, with low latency. The metaverse is an even more ambitious concept that involves interaction in virtual worlds between people and objects, which requires real-time data storage and processing. At Kingston, we are aware that our solutions will be indispensable in the evolution and success of these technologies,” said Carlos Alvergue, Country Manager of Kingston Technology for El Salvador.
Entering the gaming universe is embarking on a limitless adventure, where the boundaries between reality and fiction fade away. Kingston is firmly committed to continuing to develop memory and storage solutions that drive new technologies and meet gamers’ needs to experience increasingly real and immersive experiences while playing.
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About Kingston Technology Company, Inc.
From big data to laptops and PCs, including IoT-based devices such as smart technology and wearables, Kingston helps manufacturers integrate solutions that are used to live, work, and play. The world’s largest PC manufacturers and cloud storage companies rely on Kingston to meet their manufacturing needs, and our passion fuels the technology the world uses every day. We strive beyond our products to have a broader vision, meet our customers’ needs, and deliver solutions that make a difference. For more information about how Kingston is with you, visit Kingston.com.
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