Hot Features
Premium
Trade like a pro: Leverage real-time discussions and market-moving ideas to outperform.
The gaming industry is one of many that has benefitted hugely from 21st century technology, which continues to develop and improve, increasing the possibilities for keen gamers. Although it was previously seen as a niche interest that was only for dedicated players who, were obsessed with computers, gaming is now mainstream, which means it is at the forefront of the latest technological developments.
From consoles with their impressive graphics and powerful hardware, to online gaming via mobiles, tablets and computers, the impact that technology has had on the gaming industry is undeniable. With impressive advances being made in both hardware and software, the scope of possibility continues to grow, here are some of the latest technological advancements that gaming fans are enjoying today.
Live dealer casinos
The casino and gambling industry has always been at the forefront of innovation, using technology to keep consumers entertained. Even before companies were forced to find ways of providing services via devices we have at home, the gaming industry saw the value in it. And since then, has reaped the rewards, proving to be one of the industries most prepared for the reality of increasing numbers of people spending more time at home. One of the latest innovations in this field is live dealer games, provided by casino websites like Betway. These allow users to participate in real life games of Blackjack or roulette via their computers, TVs or handheld devices. These live dealer modes have revolutionized the industry, attracting even more fans, particularly sceptics who were distrusting of automated roulette tables and CGI dealers. With the growing possibilities provided by virtual reality hardware, the number of differences between online casinos and real-life ones is reducing by the day.
XR
XR is the abbreviation for Extended Reality, the term used to describe hardware and software for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). Although much of this technology has been around for a long time, it has really taken off in the 21st century. For example, headsets, motion controllers and smartphone capability make the tech finally accessible to the masses. Sony and Microsoft, creators of two of today’s most popular consoles, PS5 and Xbox X have already incorporated VR for players to enjoy. These companies have their own headsets and fully compatible games like Astro Bot, Iron Man VR and Hitman 3.
In 2016 we saw augmented reality go global thanks to Pokémon Go, the mobile game which took the world by storm. The game allowed players to hunt Pokémon in the real world with the use of their mobile phone cameras and gyroscope. It reached 15 million downloads worldwide and we’ve seen AR games like Harry Potter: Wizards Unite and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit try to replicate its success. The emergence of amazing hardware like the Oculus Rift, as well as increasing the range of possibilities for VR gaming, has also made mixed reality games, which incorporate elements of AR and VR, possible largely thanks to their compatibility with handheld devices like smartphones and tablets. The recent creation of the Metaverse and countless other VR universes has brought new possibilities to the worlds of gaming, entertainment and social media.
Motion Sensors
Motion sensor gaming is the term used to describe video games in which players control characters and items through their movements. These are tracked by a camera or motion sensor, rather than using a traditional handheld controller. These games first came to prominence with the release of the Nintendo Wii, an innovative console released in the mid-2000s that allowed users to play games with motion sensitive “nun chuck” controllers.
It was an extremely popular innovation with hugely successful game titles like Wii Sports, which allows users to compete in a variety of sports from tennis to golf, using the controllers in the same way you’d use a tennis racket, golf club or snooker cue. Nintendo dominated the motion senor gaming market for a long time, it remains the only mainstream console to be released with this as it’s main concept.
However, in 2010 Microsoft launched “Kinect” a range of motion sensing devices to be used with their Xbox consoles. Through these devices players could control in-game elements without the need for any type of controller. Although most gamers still prefer traditional gaming, motion sensor games have carved out an important place in the industry, many people now use these types of games as forms of exercise, and they’ve even been used in physiotherapy and injury rehabilitation.
