Video games have come a long way since the likes of “Pong” and “Space Invaders.” With the advance of technology, video games have become both more realistic and more fantastical and exploratory. But better graphics can only go so far. Here’s a look at the hardware and software that will define video games in the future.
The Return of Virtual Reality
VR seemed like it was a one-and-done curiosity. In the mid-1990s, the hardware wasn’t robust enough to support realistic VR environments, the processors weren’t advanced enough for finely rendered environments and the control configurations weren’t conceptualized with intuitive foresight.
Now, in 2016, there are a host of companies primed to cash in on a gaming community that is ready for the next innovation. Oculus, Sony and Valve are all primed for VR releases. While the graphic demands for VR are extreme, the technology is good enough to deliver a believable, if not immaculate, experience. Look for more thorough environments and optimized programs to hit the digital VR shelves in the future.
Augmented Reality and Mobile Devices
Augmented reality is still in an infant stage, but Niantic, the creator of “Ingress,” is working closely with Nintendo for the advancement of AR gaming. Unlike virtual reality, augmented reality doesn’t require hefty software for extreme graphics. AR changes the way in which players view the world around them instead of having them enter a virtual one.
For instance, “Ingress” requires a lot of real-world travel from its players. They have to find portals in their cities and towns and connect them to others to create barriers or attack them to help their side take over the area. The Niantic and Nintendo collaboration will be similar, as “Pokemon Go” nears completion. For this game, players will be able to catch Pokemon out in the real world.
So far, AR games use nothing more than a smartphone or other mobile device to enable players to access the game and complete their objectives. While “Ingress” does not rely heavily on graphics, “Pokemon Go” promises to have a heavier emphasis with images of rendered Pokemon and players’ avatars. For gamers that want the most out of their AR games in the future, the smartphones with the best processors and displays, like the Samsung Galaxy Note5, will be a must. This phone has a Quad HD display, which is four times better than standard HD, with a pixel density of 538 pixels per square inch (ppi). This is compared to HD’s 400 ppi and Apple Retina Display’s 330 ppi.
Traditional Consoles
While both VR and AR are likely to entice people who are not traditional gamers, the console gaming platform will always have a die hard base. Graphics will continue to improve in the future, but the real innovation will come with facial recognition, voice command and gesture control technology because it will make traditional gaming more immersive and intuitive. Furthermore, cloud technology will help consoles slim down while still providing more robust and expansive experiences.
