The Evolution of Videogames

The videogame industry is at the apex of an inevitable evolution. After transitioning to games in the digital space, the videogame industry is now branching into gaming across different devices and platforms. Not to mention, advancing to a point where they can offer gamers gaming as a service (GaaS).

Gamers are slowly moving away from purchasing physical copies of their favorite videogames. According to Forbes, mobile gamers now account for 50% of the total gaming market. Thanks to gaming flexibility, gamers can play different video games across different devices and platforms. This increases the life of a game because there is no limit to what gamers can do. In fact, Millennials and Generation Z can now access games that had been made in the previous generation.

We also see an introduction of gaming services like Xbox Play Anywhere, PlayStation Now, and Xbox Game Pass. Games that were previously only accessible on physical discs can now be played on videogame consoles.

GaaS will create an array of possibilities within the gaming industry by giving gamers access to libraries of games. All one would need is a valid subscription to stream videogames rather than buy them.

The evolution of videogames will most definitely spark a new wave of innovation and competition in the gaming industry.

Let us look at the major changes that are underway.

Gaming in Digital Space

The first major transition in the gaming industry is gamers moving away from physical copies of games. It is a transition that has propelled the digital distribution of videogames. Statistics show that videogames’ sales in digital format have grown to approximately 80% since 2017.

As a result, key changes in the gaming industry have been implemented successfully. The most significant change has been the creation of digital storefronts that sell libraries of games to developers.

Other developments include the escalated introduction of mobile games on a wide array of mobile devices. There has also been an expansion of subscription models to facilitate digital game libraries and online multiplayer.

The digital distribution of videogames has done more than encourage competition and innovation among game developers. It has also seen a tremendous increase in the power of mobile devices. Since video games have moved from physical discs to digital downloads, the mobile industry has had to develop devices that are capable and powerful.

Going Digital has Opened Doors for all Developers

Digital gaming stores, app stores, and game console stores have given big studios, AAA developers, as well as independent developers a gateway to customers. Going digital has eliminated the two main barriers that prevented easy entry, and fair competition in the gaming industry;

• The need to manufacture, ship and distribute physical copies of games
• Developers’ restricted access to varying platforms and systems

There has also been an evident expansion of business models in gaming. They are no longer focused on single up-front purchases, but on multiple means of monetization through subscriptions, free-to-play, and freemium business models.

Gaming Across Devices and Platforms

Throughout the digital transition of videogames, gamers have not only been able to access games on multiple devices but on different platforms as well. Even gamblers can now scratch their itch with games like bingo at the comfort of their homes.

Bingo has always been one of the most popular games in the gambling sector. Its popularity might have declined in the 1990s, but its conversion into an online game resuscitated it. It is considered a gambling old-guard because gamblers from different generations have experienced it.

This legendary game began as a lottery in the early 1500s, but now, gamers can access it on gambling websites. Finding the best bingo bonus can be easy when looking at the best bingo websites.

If you have a smartphone, you can access any videogame you like thanks to digital downloads. The market of mobile games has grown, and game developers can now offer their games on mobile devices of all sizes.

Gamers have greater accessibility to gaming as a whole because developers are taking advantage of cross-platform opportunities to come up with revolutionary innovations.

Gamers Can Now Share their Experiences with Friends

Today, gamers get to do more than access their favorite games across different platforms and devices. They can also play the same game together with friends and family on platforms like Xbox and PlayStation.

Besides, the compatibility across different devices allows gamers to play their console games on PCs. Previously, gamers had to purchase several physical copies of the same game for different systems. Now, cross-platform capabilities allow gamers to have a singular universal account that accords them multiplayer functionalities.

Conclusion

Videogames have greatly evolved over the years. Previously, gamers had to purchase physical copies of their favorite video games. Now, digital downloads allow them to access whichever game they want on their mobile devices. The continued advancements in the gaming industry is not only benefiting gamers, but developers as well. We are looking forward to when GaaS will be actualized to accord gamers unlimited possibilities.