In this day and age, we take a lot of advancements for granted, one of those being mobile gaming. However, even if we look at the state of smartphones ten years ago, the phones we owned comparatively looked very different, with wildly lower specs. When it came to mobile gaming, we had way fewer options and were limited to less complex games. But today, we’ll be taking a look at more recent trends that have been making waves in this sector.
Top Trends in Mobile Gameplay
Not that long ago, people had to own a computer or go to an internet cafe to access the digital space. This quickly changed with the advent of smartphones and how much cheaper mobile internet became. This led to a rising demand for cross-platform compatibility, with most platforms, including browser games, now available through your phone.
For instance, even if you want to play a classic game like bingo, you’re not limited to bingo halls or your PC. Instead, you can opt to install a bingo app where you can enjoy the same selection of games. This means that as long as you have an internet connection, you can game even on the go. The same can be said about a multitude of other games, with the App Store and Play Store both filled with thousands of different options, all suited to a variety of different preferences.
This has led to another popular trend, that of micro-transactions. This is a far less welcome change, proving to be quite controversial amongst gamers, although providers are stating that this is a necessary evil to upkeep said games. There is truth to this because without those funds, we’d simply not have the same diversity or updates that ensure the games we play remain top-tier.
The Future of Mobile Gaming
The first thing to discuss is how far we’ve come with augmented reality (AR). For those who don’t know what this advancement entails, it overlays digital images to your real-life environment. We already have several successful games that use this technology, and we can expect this to continue gaining momentum as AR glasses become even more affordable and mainstream. This means you’ll be able to game hand-free, making the experience even more immersive.
The same can be said about virtual reality technology. As it stands, most people tend to pair VR headsets with PC or console gaming, although an increasing number of smartphone apps are tailored to this advancement. This is a more well-rounded experience that further blurs the line between reality and fiction, which is why we can see that the mobile gaming sector will start moving more towards this.
Finally, we can expect cloud gaming to be the next trend in mobile gaming. After all, this allows players to access any game they want, even from the Playstation Store, without having to own the console in question. This would drastically change the landscape in a way that could be groundbreaking.
It’s clear that we’re nowhere near the end of what’s possible i mobile gaming. So, while we’re waiting for further advancements, the next time you pick up your phone to play your favorite game, take a moment to appreciate how far we’ve come.
