The world of gaming is a home of a different kind that unites gamers from various walks of life in a common quest
By Azraa Killru
Let’s explore all the latest gaming trends, tech and tips.
TRENDS
#1 Indie gaming has begun to hit bestseller lists. Although indie games aren’t new, what’s worthy of attention is how their producers have platforms for distribution unlike in the past.
#2 Diversity is becoming commonplace in the gaming sphere and women are increasingly participating in PC, console and eSports. Moreover, representation is getting stronger in gaming with more female protagonists and minorities becoming a part of the game world that developers create.
#3 An array of problems posed by downloading games – viz. download speeds, performance issues and storage troubles – are becoming a thing of the past with cloud gaming taking prominence. This way, gamers can stream the games live while enjoying the benefits of the latest hardware without having to purchase it.
#4 Probably inspired by the success of movie remakes, gaming developers are keen to roll out reboots and remakes of classic games. They stand a greater chance of attracting gamers and are also less likely to flop.
#5 Getting their hands on a game months or years in advance sounds exciting for gamers while developers can use this method to gather feedback from real players – this can add value to gaming development.
TECH
#1 Facial recognition and 3D scanning technology allow gamers to recreate their virtual persona, such as an avatar that looks and acts like them in the gaming landscape.
#2 Voice recognition has advanced where computers can now identify voice commands from gamers – and they can use this method to play, use social media, run web queries and interact with the gaming system.
#3 4K gaming with highly realistic photo textures, dazzling colours, cool graphics and animations has slowly become the norm.
#4 Virtual and augmented reality has set the bar for gamers’ expectations quite high. VR headsets are ready to offer an immersive experience while augmented reality adds a thrill or two by setting the game within real spaces that users are accustomed to and giving them a unique perspective.
#5 Fitness-related wearable technology such as smartwatches and glasses has opened up new possibilities for game developers. By creating portable gaming tech such as extensions of the gaming console, companies have given gamers something interesting to look forward to.
TIPS
#1 Gaming is an infinite kingdom with myriad gems to choose from. Mainstream genres are not your only option. With thousands of new game releases almost every day, feel free to experiment.
#2 Gaming and organising your time may sound ridiculous when they appear in one sentence; but if you are serious about reaching a professional gaming level, start treating the activity as something more than entertainment. A daily plan for gaming schedules will help you maintain a better balance and ensure you lead a healthy life as well.
#3 A toxic gaming relationship isn’t ideal but if you let every minor blip or failure trigger your emotions, it can harm your mental and emotional health. Always keep your emotions in check and try to frame the activity as ‘only a game.’ Don’t let the intensity of the game mess with your emotions.
#4 Like every other skill, gaming is something that can be built over time with enough practice and patience. Enjoy the process and experience. Use it as entertainment and not as a substitute for real life. You can get so much out of it with the right mindset.
