Trends Shaping The Gaming Industry
The gaming industry is one which constantly evolves. From computers coming with games built-in like solitaire back in the day to all-encompassing MMORPG fantasy games like Skyrim, there are plenty of works which have helped to shape the industry as we know it today.
As technology evolves and changes, so to does what we play – and how we play it. Here are the biggest trends which are set to continue shaping the industry in the years to come.
Feeling First Design
While most design for games have been done with the end result of how it should be played in mind, designers nowadays are starting to create games based around the emotions that they want to evoke in players.
Do they want to evoke a sense of terror and horror? Do they want a player to feel whimsy and childlike enthusiasm and curiosity? What about a dash of outrage and a desire to protect? Once the emotions they want players to feel are set, they move onto the actual storyline to tie the emotions into, then work in the gameplay and all the mechanics that the games will use. This is a 180 degree change from how games used to be created, namely with the end result in mind and then build back to how you get there.
However, as more players want a full gaming experience that helps them evoke emotions it’s like the ASMR trend but for gamers hearts and it’s one which users are certain to love.
AR and VR
Pokémon Go! Is almost undoubtedly the pioneer of what a successful augmented reality (AR) game looks like, with several million downloads. It showcased the way in which AR can bring strangers together for a common cause, as at its hight of popularity, you’d often find tons of users of all ages grouping together at Pokéstops and dropping lures left, right and centre to attract Pokémon.
While other AR games have yet to see the successes that Niantic had, the call for a quality game which embraces augmented reality is there. Hand in hand with this trend is the virtual reality (VR) trends. From skiing and kayaking to tennis and first-person action games, virtual reality is a few steps away from the holodeck we’ve always wanted thanks to Star Trek. Game developers are taking note and looking at the many ways they can provide these things to users.
Subscription-based Monetization
Buying a game outright has usually been the expected thing when it comes to PC games and console-based games unless the game was specifically created as a free to play option. Developers nowadays, however, are looking for ways to keep all kinds of customers happy and subscription-based in-game options seem to have become the best of both worlds.
Free to play users have access to the game and most of its mechanics and items, while those who prefer to buy into a game to receive perks like Big Dollar Casino free spins can do so. In-game buying usually results in users being able to level up faster, as well as get higher quality items off the bat – or reach monthly campaign goals for event drops and themed items.
Other perks in subscription-based play include things like battle passes offered in Fortnite, VIP access to higher quality items and the ability to remove ads for most online games (and for this reason alone many players happily hand over some cash). It must be said, however, that subscription-based monetization is usually used in conjunction with other monetization options and isn’t usually a stand-alone feature.