Gaming is now one of the most impactful sectors in the entertainment industry. While many people think that the rise of eSports is the cause, there are actually myriad factors that have helped push gaming into the mainstream. 

Along with competitive eSports, which have turned gaming into a spectator affair, there has been a rise in accessible mobile games, extended 5G networks, and even new types of hardware, like the Nintendo Switch. In other words, there are more ways to game than ever before, both in terms of hardware (like the humble smartphone) and games. 

Clearly, there’s always a new frontier that’s developing. Looking ahead, which parts of the gaming industry are going to take off? And how will they steer the future of gaming?

More diversity in casino gaming

Casino gaming is one of the most popular parts of the global industry—even if casino games don’t grab quite as many headlines as their more traditional video game counterparts. That being said, casino games were some of the first to go online back in the 1990s and have been a favourite ever since then. 

Classics like roulette, blackjack, and slots have been staples for casino fans for over a century.

But today, digital casinos are starting to innovate in new directions. Two of the most popular options are live casino games and new game show-style titles, which offer exciting twists on older favourites. Going forward, this innovation will continue to shake up the iGaming world.

A shift towards cloud gaming

The gaming industry is evolving the types of games that players seek out and switching up the format of how they play. One of the most promising new developments in gaming is cloud gaming. The idea is that players can pay a subscription to access streamable games—just like watching shows through Netflix or Hulu. 

At the moment, a handful of major brands are trying to become the premier authority on game streaming. However, the technology is incredibly demanding. An open-world game, for example, requires a lot more bandwidth to stream than a simple TV show. That means that players currently face lag and pauses. But keep a lookout—cloud gaming is set to take off soon.

More accessibility in controls and mechanics

Gamers need to have solid hand dexterity and even hand-eye coordination to excel in their chosen field. For well over a decade, companies have sought to make gaming more accessible by offering more dynamic controller options, such as joysticks, buttons, and voice controls. In the past, these types of options were few and far between.

These efforts are starting to advance in earnest, though. Along with hardware like accessible controllers, some developers are digging even deeper to alter their games’ software. This enables things like voice controls and programmable buttons and switches. These programmable elements allow each gamer to configure a controller to suit their specific needs.

AI becomes integral

Speaking of accessibility, AI is also helping to broaden horizons in the world of gaming. AI is being used in a variety of ways to improve the process of creating and launching games—which is ushering in a new era in the industry. That’s because AI tools can make game development, programming, and planning much easier. 

For the most part, the focus on AI has been centred around larger developers that are using tools to improve NPCs, expand landscapes in open-world games, and tailor gameplay and narrative for each player. But it’s also being used on the ground floor at many indie and AAA studios.

So, what does this mean for gaming? The inclusion of indie and AAA studios is a big deal, as these are groups that regularly produce highly innovative games. If you’ve heard of or played hits like Hades or Among Us, then you’ve already dipped a toe into the waters of indie gaming. AI can be used to give these creators a leg up on their more established counterparts, paving the way for daring new projects.