The way in which technology has changed our lives cannot be overstated. Recent technological innovations include multi-functional devices such as the smart watch and the smartphone. Computers are now more portable than ever, as well as increasingly faster and higher powered. Tech has made life easier and has influenced almost every aspect of it, from how people communicate to how they watch TV, date and pay bills. It is therefore not surprising that technology has also significantly changed video games.
Before 1970
Before the invention of video games, there were board games. Most people did not think that there could be a better way to have fun and play games until the first electrical digital computer was built in 1937. It is because of this invention that computer scientists began designing simple computer games as part of their research. In the early 1970s, the first video games were created, and people were wowed at their sheer brilliance.
After 1970
The more innovations in technology were created, the more that video games adjusted to suit the current reality. For instance, Avatar, a game created in 1979, allowed multiple players to join forces and battle monsters.
Innovations in video games were not created because computer scientists felt they were better. Instead, they were created because computer scientists saw a shift in the way technology was being used, and decided to go down that route as well. It is technology that is influencing how video games are created.
Video Games Today
Today, we have seen a major shift in technology. There has been a rise in the number of active web users globally, and by 2021, it is expected that over 56 million people in the UK will use the internet on a daily basis. Furthermore, global sales of smartphones has increased significantly.
Literally at their fingertips, individuals can access these wonderful technological advancements, courtesy of their phone and the internet. Video game developers have seen the recent trend in technology recognize the impact that the internet has on gaming, and how the use of smartphones can change the way in which people prefer to play games.
Here are the top five ways in which technology has revolutionized video games.
1. The Introduction of Mobile Phones
Year after year, the video gaming industry continues to thrive. The UK gaming market has an estimated worth of £5.7 billion, as per Ukie, the UK trade body for gaming. Consoles continue to sell favourably, too. Many users also like using their smartphones or tablets to play their favourite games.
With the introduction of mobile phones, video game developers also tried (and found success) in creating games that could be played on the mobile device. Within a short time, smartphones were trendy, and more people were on their smartphones than computers. With time, mobile apps were created and an increasing number of video game developers created mobile game apps in order to attract the attention of smartphone users.
The introduction of mobile phone technology helped revolutionize games from being an activity played only on computers, to making them available on a device that is much more portable, yet gives the same great picture. Today many games are created in three versions: web browser, mobile and desktop.
2. No More Wires
When the computer was first created, the keyboard, mouse and desktop were three different entities. To use the computer, you would have to connect these three parts.
The excess wires that come with this kind of setup sometimes affect the fun in a game when you keep fighting with wires or having to be careful to not mistakenly disconnect associated devices.
Also, having to navigate between the keyboard and mouse to play a game can be frustrating. With the innovation in laptops, tablets and mobile phones, the need to be excessively careful about wires while playing a game has become a problem of the past.
3. The Internet
Answers to any question can be found on the internet. And games are available here, too.
There are now web-browser versions of games you can play online. Players experience gaming from any part of the world with various devices, providing them with an interactive experience. Casino games are now as popular as video games and are easy to play online at websites such as freecasinos.co.uk.
The internet has also provided gamers with the ability to enjoy a cloud gaming experience where, through a shared platform, they can experience multi-player benefits.
4. Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual and augmented reality have experienced a rise in recent years, too. Even though this technology can be traced way back to ideas in the 1800s, the first virtual-reality technology was not built until 1957 by Morton Heilig. This cinematographer invented the sensorama, a theatre cabinet multimedia device that offers users an interactive experience.
The International Data Corporation predict that the virtual and augmented reality industry will be worth over £175 billion by 2021. As of today, it is used in almost every industry, including the gaming industry. With virtual and augmented reality, gamers can experience their game as if they are in it themselves, which is an experience that excites a lot of people.
5. 3D and Game Graphics
When you see a video game today, the characters and the environment look so real that it is difficult to imagine the first video games that looked like graphs with boxes placed in random places.
Today, as technology continues to evolve, the gaming industry continually revolutionizes as well. Games are now mostly in HD and run at a higher frame rate than what was seen only a decade ago. Companies continue to develop better consoles to further improve the gaming experience.
Takeaway on Tech and Video Games
With game development becoming more affordable and developers gaining access to intuitive platforms to showcase their games, there is sure to be a surge in video gaming. A plethora of games could be made easily available, all thanks to technology. Not only has tech provided people with a variety of games to choose from, but it has also given them new ways in which to experience their favourite games. The future is sure to bring more positive changes.
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