Game developers improve their offerings every year – whether through better graphics, sequel launches, or new technologies. 2022 was rife with technological and financial trends that dominated and stimulated growth in the digital media and gaming space. During the year, esports grew a wider fanbase, more online gambling platforms adopted cryptocurrency, and the Metaverse made its official debut in online gaming. So what can we expect from 2023? Will these trends continue to drive growth in the industry, or will the market go in a different direction? Here is a look at the top 2023 gaming trends.
Esports Will Expand Beyond Tournaments
The esports market is projected to face some budgetary restraints this year. In response, most providers are looking to widen their reach and diversify their portfolios. Competitive gaming will remain the driving force of the esports industry, but we are likely to see a move toward content creation, merchandising, and product production. Content creation, in particular, may help widen the esports fan base from esports aficionados alone to the content creators’ followers. An early example of this is Complexity Gaming, which recently signed on a team of celebrities and athletes designed to expose the brand to audiences across esports, gaming, pop culture, and more.
Cloud Gaming Will Take Over Online Gaming
Cloud gaming employs streaming technology to allow players to access games from a remote server. This eliminates the space, scaling, and payload constraints associated with storing games on local devices. Essentially, cloud gaming mimics online gambling systems, as online gamblers log on to online sites and play casino games (https://www.casinoaus.net/casino-games/) without having to download them onto their devices. This makes delivery less lagged and gaming more convenient. In fact, gamers have taken to this idea so much that experts project cloud gaming will be worth $22 billion by 2030. Major players like Google, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft have already invested heavily in game streaming, and the sector may experience more growth this year.
The Metaverse Will Become More Mainstream
The Metaverse made some waves in 2022, but it is still a relatively novel concept to many people, especially outside the gaming industry. Moving forward, experts predict that the technology will become more mainstream, even entering the workplace. Employers are likely to harness the interaction capabilities of the Metaverse and channel them into social gatherings and meetings. This will involve VR technology and may even phase out technologies like video conferencing. As an example of this move to the mainstream, more brands are incorporating Metaverse technology into their operations. Nike recently launched a collaborative Metaverse space called .SWOOSH, where buyers can trade, collect, and try virtual Nike products.
Entertainment and Gaming Will Merge
The entertainment industry has recorded record-low earnings this year. The situation has been so dire that key players have resorted to reviving previously successful IPs in a bid to attract devoted fans. Netflix, for instance, announced 55 new title additions to their game portfolio last October, most of which are based on existing IPs. Arcane, the platform’s animated series based on Riot Games’ League of Legends, was one successful implementation of this, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program last year. This year, experts predict more of this, with many IPs already being adapted for film.
Wrapping Up
2022 was a year of seismic changes and growth for the gaming industry, and 2023 promises to be even better. This year, we might see emerging technologies like VR and the Metaverse take on an unprecedented position in gaming. Meanwhile, trends like esports and cloud gaming will continue evolving to fit the changing market, perhaps growing even bigger.