Do you remember when we all needed a chunky controller and a TV screen to have fun while gaming? Or perhaps you were one of the lucky ones with a joystick when gaming was as advanced as Donkey Kong. Simpler times, right?
Back then, we didn’t need fancy motion sensors, haptic feedback, or AI-powered NPCs – because we could have fun no matter what. However, we’re certainly not complaining about these advancements, which have brought gaming closer to reality than ever before. Of course, to do that, technology has had to evolve rapidly.
Today, gaming is a full-on sensory overload (but we mean that in a good way). We’ve got virtual reality headsets in our living rooms, making us feel like we’re living in a real-life MOBA when we play Call of Duty, and AI is making the gameplay a whole lot smarter. Technology is so advanced that we now expect the very best, and game companies must act fast to stay relevant.
But which gadgets are to thank for this rapid evolution? Keep scrolling because we’re looking at five of the biggest game-changers (pun intended) in gaming history.
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Ai-Powered Gaming
We do things differently around here, and we will start with who is leading the charge in today’s world. Up first is artificial intelligence.
It wouldn’t be a blog about all things technology if we didn’t have an ode to AI and how it’s pushed gaming into its phenomenon. Gone are the days of predictable zombie attacks in old-school graphics and robotic dialogue – today, it’s all about NPCs that adapt and react in real-time. Artificial intelligence works behind the scenes to learn how a gamer plays, changing the outcome to keep the game fresh and exciting.
This is used throughout the gaming and gambling world, in a whole host of different ways. Take casinos, for instance – there are no NPCs to learn and adapt here, but AI still has some major roles. Recommendations are a particularly huge one; AI is capable of analyzing what a player enjoys and how they enjoy it (e.g., how often they play, what time of day they play certain titles, etc.) and then using this info to beautifully tailor the casino’s list of recommended games. Imagine that you play online slots, for example – how does the casino know which game it should suggest next? Look at which online slots you have played the most and check for patterns! Do you love ones with a Greek Gods theme? Are you all about historical societies? Or are cute animals your particular favorite? Whatever it is, however, it appears that AI algorithms have reached the point where they can ensure the recommendations feel unique to your interests. This brings customization into the picture and creates a new experience for smarter gameplay.
2. Cloud Gaming
It may sound old to you, but cloud gaming is still at the forefront of technology, and we imagine it could become a reality in the not-so-distant future! No console, no problem.
Cloud gaming eliminates the need to buy expensive hardware, often a barrier for families who can’t afford it. The point of cloud gaming is that players of all kinds can stream high-end games on any device without having to buy the newest tech or game discs.
3. Virtual Reality Headsets
This gadget is still very much part of the world of technology, and it’s been improving its offerings every year. VR is the one-stop device for stepping inside a game and feeling part of the real deal. Virtual reality headsets bring every game world to reality, whether through alien planets or battling enemies in the flesh.
4. Haptic Feedback Controllers & Wearables
If you’re not a tech nerd, then we completely understand if you don’t know what this means off the bat., but the appearance of these gadgets has marked a huge moment in game-tech history.
Think of when you’re playing a shooting game and have felt the recoil of a gun. Or perhaps you can feel the tension of a bowstring during an archery competition? That feeling is the haptic feedback at work. The main gadgets that offer this sensation are the PS5 DualSense controllers and VR gloves. These pieces of tech let you feel the action during gameplay, adding to the feeling of being immersed in the game.
5. Mechanical Keyboards And Gaming Mice
Mechanical keyboards and gaming mice ran so AI could walk. These little tech gadgets were trailblazers in their time and completely leveled up the gaming world. Mechanical keyboards offered a lot of nice features with their ‘click-click’ noises, but they also changed competitive play as we knew it. The keyboard offered precision and fast response times, cemented these additions into the gaming world.
A mouse or keyboard may sound like nothing to us today, but when this kind of keyboard first came onto the scene in 2010, it was a pioneer. Gaming has evolved so much that we often forget where we came from. Sometimes we need to sit back and realize that although the world and our preferences are changing rapidly, we should always appreciate the classics that got us there.
