The Future is Bright
Although 2021 has been a tumultuous year, a few industries have come through it stronger than ever before. Online gaming is one of those industries; by the end of this year, experts estimate that the online gaming industry will be worth a staggering $2.2 trillion. Yes, that’s right, I said trillion! Only five years ago, this sector was worth $1.72 trillion. The increase of $480 billion in such a short time is nothing short of incredible, and we don’t believe that the online gaming industry is done yet. With a growth rate under its belt so huge that some might call it a revolution, the industry is sure to keep making radical strides. Thanks to new technology, as well as lots more time spent at home, gaming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, and it’s not slowing down for anyone. With such amazing things happening in the now, whether you favor an online casino game or an MMO, what can we expect to see in the future? Let’s take a look.
Crypto is Coming
Cryptocurrency is a little debated topic, especially this year, with China making strong moves against the unregulated industry. Be that as it may, it is likely that in the very near future, we will begin to see more gaming platforms accepting cryptocurrency as a valid form of payment. The gaming industry is often on the cutting edge of what’s new and exciting, and this is no exception. If an industry this vast takes steps to legitimize crypto, it won’t be long before the effects are felt worldwide. Not only are Bitcoin online casinos popping up all over the internet, but Litecoin has launched its own role-playing game, Lightbringer. Blockchain is being embraced by the online gaming industry as well. It’s no surprise that two of the world’s fastest-growing and progressive sectors, online gaming and cryptocurrency, are integrating already. If what we see in the present is any indication of what’s to come, this relationship will continue to strengthen.
And the Gold Medal Goes to…
In recent years we have seen playing video games go from being something that guys do in their mom’s basement to being something that is done at an international level by all genders, and usually for huge amounts of recognition and prize money. The first annual Fortnite World Cup, held in 2019, signaled a massive shift in the gaming industry. Since then, we have had to deal with a number of health and travel restrictions that have contributed to online gaming becoming the new choice for any LAN activities. While online gaming has previously, and incorrectly, been thought of as something that lazy people do, it has become clear that, although this sport does not require physical athletic prowess, it does require a very particular set of skills. There’s no clear sign that the dream of video games becoming an Olympic sport will become a reality any time soon, but it’s clear to see that the tides have shifted. We can definitely expect more in-person and remote tournaments and world cups to appear soon.
The Mighty Mobile
Mobile gaming has been a significant contributor to the overall success and growth of the online gaming industry in recent years. These days, some mobile games are as good in terms of graphics and gameplay as they would be on a PC. While it took the mobile part of the industry a while to catch up, it’s here now, and it’s making waves. Experts predict that by 2025, more than half of all online gaming will take place on mobiles and tablets, which is a huge departure from where we are currently in terms of PC preference. The release of platforms such as Stadia from Google means that gamers can now access a given game on a variety of devices and pick up gameplay where they left off. Until recently, it has been extremely challenging to optimize one game for a variety of different devices. Thanks to the online gaming industry’s huge popularity and speedy development that is now a problem of the past. Before long, gamers who were previously devoted to their PCs will begin to embrace the change, and with that wave, we will see even more advances in mobile gaming technology.
Wrap Up
The many facets of the online gaming industry are all developing at such a rapid pace that it’s hard to keep track. Something that may have been impossible yesterday might be ready to roll out in a week. Keep your eyes on the online gaming industry because great things are coming.