The video game industry is growing at supersonic speeds. A recent report shows that this industry is home to 2.6 billion nerds who consider it somewhat of a lifestyle. However, the growth of this industry is backed by technology. Game developers know that player preferences evolve as technology advances. In this article, we’ll highlight some important innovations that will be at the forefront of reshaping the gaming industry next year.

Mobile Gaming Is on the Rise

Apple released the first smartphone (iPhone) in 2007. A year later, Google released Android. Since then, these little but powerful devices have transformed nearly all industries, including gaming. Today, almost all casual gamers prefer playing on smartphones for convenience. And without forgetting, these devices have become just as powerful as desktop computers.

Below are some mobile gaming statistics to note:

• Mobile games contributed 49% of the $184 billion gaming revenue in 2023, according to Newzoo.
• 2023 had 88 billion mobile game downloads.
• Global Data states mobile gaming revenue will hit $195 billion by 2030.
• Data.ai reveals that mobile gamers spent $1.5 billion weekly between 2020 and 2023.

AI in Gaming

AI has become widely accepted despite being a relatively new invention. Whether you’re looking to bolster your business’s cybersecurity surveillance or streamline operations, this technology can handle everything. We expect this trend to continue next year as AI becomes more sophisticated. The gaming industry has not been spared from these advancements.

One of the most powerful applications of AI in gaming is the development of NPCs (non-player characters). These pre-programmed characters mimic the intelligence of actual humans, making gaming even more realistic. Game developers also use AI to analyze data from player experiences and enhance their products.

Another significant area where AI is making a mark is in personal gaming experiences. Players can expect increasingly tailored encounters, especially in online gambling. For example, when playing at a roulette online casino, AI algorithms will analyze your gaming history and preferences to recommend specific games that align with your style. This personalized approach can create a more engaging and satisfying experience, similar to how platforms like Netflix or YouTube suggest content based on your viewing habits.

Blockchain-Based Gaming

Play-to-earn (P2E) games might be a relatively new thing. However, this industry has enjoyed rapid growth recently. A Techreport study shows that the value of blockchain gaming exceeded $3 billion in 2023. Also, this market could hit the $90 billion mark by 2030. For those who don’t know, blockchain games allow players to exchange in-game valuables for cryptos.

Some popular blockchain-based games in 2024 include:

• World of Dypians
• Europe Fantasy League
• Wild Forest
• Nine Chronicles
• The Machines Arena

Blockchain technology is also solving payment issues in casino-style gaming. Many online casinos nowadays allow players to transact using dozens of cryptocurrencies. Gamers enjoy faster and cheaper transactions because of the decentralized nature of these coins. Moreover, players don’t need to provide the gaming site with bank details to deposit or withdraw. That’s a big win.

Increased Penetration of Cloud-Based Gaming

Statista reveals that cloud-based gaming will increase by a massive 29.64% between 2024 and 2029. Another revelation by Cloud Gaming Statistics shows that NVIDIA GeForce has over 1,000+ gaming products on its cloud service. These studies prove that game developers continue to harness remote servers’ processing power to improve experiences.

Here’s a more straightforward explanation of the cloud gaming concept. This technology lets players stream games directly from the cloud without needing powerful hardware. In other words, the developer’s remote servers will do the heavy lifting. That way, you can enjoy top-quality gaming services even on an average smartphone.

Conclusion

We expect these tech trends to take the gaming world by storm in 2025. Others include VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality), although these two have failed to hit the expected heights recently. Maybe 2025 could be when we will see more adoption of VR gaming.