Technological advances in interactive experiences leading the way in video games
The rapid growth of the video game industry is being propelled by technological advances in interactive experiences and, according to a report by Activate, the video game market is expected to reach over $170 billion by 2023. This would make the gaming industry as large as the music industry, film industry, and subscription video market combined.
The growth in the number of online video games has also opened up new opportunities for advertisers. A report by Global Web Index in 2019 found that 83% of internet users have gamed on at least one device in the last month – going up to 94% among 16-24s. It’s not just young people who are turning to gaming. In an article published on CCN in September 2020, they reported that in 2019, 49% of 50-59-year-olds played games, 44% of 60-69-year-olds and 39% of over 70s.
The advancements in technology in online gaming, coupled with the number of online games now available has opened up huge opportunities for advertisers and consumers alike.
Crossfire leading the way
According to eSports SCETEC, Crossfire is the leading online video game with over 1 billion registered accounts for the free-to-play, tactical first-person shooter game. It has a huge audience in China, South Korea and other eastern countries, however, it didn’t break the US and European markets to the same level.
Here, games like Minecraft, Candy Crush, and Fortnite continue to lead the way with huge numbers of registered users.
The big appeal for a number of these online, free-to-play games is the ability to play with your friends, either via split screens or from the comfort of your own home. Games Radar reviewed the best 25 online games to play with your friends, with Destiny 2 taking their number one spot.
How the online video games industry is evolving
Technological advancements are what keeps the online video game industry evolving and over the past few years, there has been a rapid growth in the investment in the sector. From gesture control to augmented reality, the gaming industry has really embraced technology in an effort to attract more and more players.
Advancements in other industries have also led to improvements in the gaming industry. The introduction of high-definition displays through televisions with 4k capabilities, or through specific gaming laptops which also incorporate 4k capability, gaming has been taken to the next level.
Perhaps the biggest shift has been the advancements in mobile technology, allowing gamers to play anywhere at any time. Many video games designed specifically for mobile are also introduced for casual gamers, who only have a few minutes to spare. According to European Business Review, “Most times, we’re busy with everyday chores or work, but then there are times when we’re waiting for a taxi or standing in a metro line and have nothing to do. This is when we can well be entertained by online gaming apps using your smartphone.”
Embracing interactive gaming experiences
Another industry embracing technology is the online casino and betting sector. Here, we have seen huge advancements in the way people are able to game online. One company leading the way in the sector is Betway, “Developed by our exceptionally talented people, Betway creates market-leading, cutting-edge interactive gaming experiences. We bring people closer to the action – putting them at the centre, making them feel a part of it.”
From the introduction of in-game betting to the development of new and exciting interactive games, these online gaming sites are leading the way when it comes to embracing new technologies that can lead to better experiences for customers.
The rise of advertising
One of the reasons gaming companies have been able to grow at such rapid rates is the integration of advertising on their free-to-play games. Advertisers have identified online games as the perfect way to reach typically hard-to-reach audiences, like the 16-24-year-olds who are making up such a huge percentage of the online gaming market.
It’s not all plain sailing for advertisers, however. According to an article by Forbes, “in-game interactive ads must reflect the context of the game’s environment to avoid diminishing the experience and alienating the audience.”
The same article goes on to highlight how advertisers are also embracing technology in order to match their ads to the expectations of the online game players, “A recent example of innovative video game advertising is the 2019 release of The Grand Tour Game from Amazon Game Studios. This release falls into the category of an “advergame,” or a game that advertises a product by featuring it as a primary element of gameplay. Based on the Amazon Prime television show of the same name, it merges video clips from the episode with gameplay that allows users, for example, to drive the same car being shown in the same episode.”
Summary
Online video gaming is an industry that is set to continue its rapid growth and investment in technology means that gaming companies can continue to innovate and keep pushing the boundaries of online gaming for players of all ages.
JJ likes to write about Technology and Gadgets.Google +JJ is the author and founder of Gadget Australia, a widely-read tech and Gadget blog. Email:
jeromejf@hotmail.com
"
- Zobi Hedgehog -The Security Guard for Your IT Devices - May 30, 2021
- Technological advances in interactive experiences leading the way in video games - March 15, 2021
- Technological advancement leads the way in most recent evolution in online gaming - September 15, 2020
