The era of the dominance of single player games over the computer game industry is definitely over, and has been for some time. Where once players would be confined to a decidedly lonely digital existence, the spread of cheap, high speed internet, an increasingly huge acceptability of gaming in the public eye, and titles that have proved enormously popular among a very diverse range of people have cumulatively propelled online gaming into the mainstream. But how have online games been changing of recent? What does the future hold for online gamers?
The manner in which people play games has changed enormously over the past ten years. Where once one would have to buy a PC or games console to play online games, the latter of which is still a relatively new innovation, the enormous rise of smart phones; powerful, touch sensitive and comparatively inexpensive; has completely changed the way people play.
Take, for instance, social gaming. Companies such as Zynga, operating many of their games through Facebook and taking advantage of its ability to run gaming apps, are experiencing huge growth in free, basic games that people can play with their friends, competing against each other. Online casino gaming often falls into this category, and regular online casino tournaments take place frequently, across a plethora of gaming websites strewn across the net.
Virtual realities have always been an online gaming mainstay. Titles such as Blizzard entertainment’s World of Warcraft caused quite the stir during their heyday a few years back, and games such as EVE online, a title that allows players to explore, build and conquer in a gorgeous (yet bewilderingly complicated) galaxy with others across the internet. The only problem with these is the degree of immersion one can confer through a regular computer screen; at a time when immersion is the paramount buzzword among the video gaming community, this is a real stumbling block.
This looks set to change, however. With innovations in virtual reality such as the Oculus Rift VR headset, gamers will be completely immersed in virtual worlds and exciting gaming experiences. Will VR headsets sound the death knell for online gaming though, as players retreat to enormously immersive single player experiences? It’s unlikely, given the key growth areas at present are almost entirely focused around the casual, social online gaming markets. VR headsets are also a far cry from the norm; many might feel strange wearing a headset, an experience more akin to being plugged in to the matrix!
Share on Tumblr
