The Biggest Trends in Gaming to Notice and Look Forward To

When it comes to hobbies, video gaming is one of the most popular and has also stood the test of time. According to data on the website of consumer and market data company Statista, there are about 2.6 billion gamers worldwide . Advances in technology have helped gaming go from strength to strength. Digital, of course, has played a massive role and accounts for a large part of gaming revenues. The arrival of mobile gaming has also helped sales and popularity to take off.

Of course, the gaming world is constantly evolving and experiencing new trends, making the present and the future very exciting places to be. Below is a look at some current trends in gaming, plus some trends the gaming could see in the future.

Remakes and Reboots

Ever notice how things come back around? The same is true in the gaming world, which is seeing lots of remakes and reboots. Whereas new franchises suffer a risk of failing miserably, remakes are likely to be a hit, which is possibly why the industry is starting to see a lot more of them. The “Final Fantasy VII,” “Resident Evil 2” and “Resident Evil 3” remakes have all sold well. “Silent Hill” remakes are expected.

The emergence of new PC gaming platforms to Compete with Steam

Steam was a first mover and dominated the PC gaming market by being the first platform to offer PC gamers to browse, buy and review games all in one place. The platform also built up a large community of gamers.

However, it’s days of market dominance are fading as new platforms are challenging it for PC gamers. One of the biggest is GOG and, initially, it started out by focusing on offering older games that Steam didn’t, before expanding to include old and more modern releases.

An even bigger threat than GOG, however, is Epic Games . Like GOG and Steam, Epic Games has a massive library of games, but it’s more unique in the fact that it offers the smash hit “Fortnite.” Now the platform is aiming to attract even more users by including some exclusive titles.

Virtual reality and augmented reality in casino gaming

In the casino gaming industry, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are starting to become more of a presence in gaming, as online casino operators seek to offer players the closest experience possible to traditional casino gaming. VR and AR are both immersive and helping the casinos to achieve this and more. Casino gaming fans can expect to see more of this as time goes by. Note that this is something the video gaming world is also seeing more of and will become more prominent in the industry as time goes by.

Integration of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency

Blockchain and crypto innovations have become more common in the online casino world. That’s because they address issues around transparency, security and transaction speed. Bitcoin and Ethereum have become incredibly popular, and it’s not just about the fast transactions but also the reduced fees, allowing players to hold onto more of their winnings.

Online casinos have realized that providing various payments is a way to attract more players, make their lives easier when it comes to crediting their accounts and generally secure their players’ trust in the operator. Many operators are already making it possible to pay using a digital wallet, but the industry can expect to see more allow players to credit their accounts with cryptocurrency.

Fitness gaming

Video games aren’t just a form of entertainment for the less active. Now, in the form of fitness gaming, they’ve become a way for those who can’t afford a gym membership or don’t fancy exercising in traditional ways to get into shape. Although fitness gaming has been around for some time, it’s enjoying a surge in popularity. Game users can pop on a VR headset and, shaking off the shyness or any qualms about exercising in a gym, feel as if they’re exercising in a traditional gym or fitness environment.

Esports

If, in the 1990s, you’d have stated you wanted to play video games professionally, you’d have been the object of ridicule. In the 21st century, however, esports have really taken off. Lots of players are making a living from them and lots of people are viewing them. According to data on the website of Statista, by 2024 there are expected to be 285 million frequent viewers of esports . Esports prize pools are getting bigger and bigger, and the industry can expect to attract new, highly skilled gamers eager to turn their passion into a way of making a living, lured by the big prizes available.

The gaming industry is always innovating, much to the excitement of gamers, who are eager to see what developments take place next. The industry hasn’t just stopped at the above developments, however. Others the gaming world is witnessing include the use of generative AI in games and an increasing shift towards cloud-based gaming.