When it comes to choosing which technologies have made the biggest changes in an industry like video games, there’s almost too much to pick from. Changes have come in an enormous number of areas, many of them impactful… but some have literally changed what gaming looks like, enabling new approaches or different accessibility. Those are the ones we want to cover today.
Bitcoin Breaks Barriers
First of all, the word that is on everyone’s lips at the moment. Bitcoin. Bitcoin has had an impact on many different areas of life, but perhaps the most significant of all is gaming. Gaming has been perhaps the biggest deciding factor in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin seeing increased adoption, and there’s no question that at the same time, cryptos have given gaming a boost, introducing better security, new mechanics, and more.
So let’s dig into this. Why might you choose to move into digital gaming with Bitcoin? Well, there are plenty of reasons. The first is that if you’re playing any real-money games, you get increased security and anonymity. That has made this enormously attractive to casino enthusiasts everywhere.
Let’s say, for example, that you are a fan of baccarat and you’d love to join online games, but you feel a bit unsure about whether your money will be safe, and you don’t want to link up your credit card details. With Bitcoin baccarat, you don’t have to!
Bitcoin baccarat is exactly the same as traditional baccarat, but it allows you to pay (and withdraw winnings) using cryptocurrency instead. Instantly, you’ve taken security to the next level, thanks to blockchain technology.
Bitcoin’s blockchain has never been hacked since its creation in 2009 – a pretty incredible feat in a world where cybercrime is rife. That means people playing baccarat with this cryptocurrency can feel thoroughly secure in their use of it. At the same time, it beefs up the privacy for players, offering much better anonymity and reducing the need to share your personal details online (another win for security).
And of course, it doesn’t only apply to games like baccarat. Many online casino games can now be played with cryptocurrency, and other games that incorporate real currency in any way are exploring this option too. That’s great news for crypto enthusiasts, the security-conscious, and the tech-savvy folks out there.
Better Handheld Tech
Next up, the systems we play on have evolved massively, and we’re not just talking about Xbox or Microsoft dropping a new console rivalry. We’re talking about the fact that these days, it’s possible to play a whole host of great games using handheld tech – cell phones, tablets, even smartwatches – thanks to massive improvements in technology.
Where once our phones were bricks barely capable of playing Snake, they have evolved at lightning pace to become incredibly powerful mini-computers, and they can take on a whole host of tasks. You might not be playing triple-A titles on them just yet, but many low-to-mid level games can be played on a mobile device beautifully, and without even having to turn down the graphics too much.
That’s changed the face of gaming. It might not seem like a huge deal on the surface – one device is much like another, right? – but actually, it’s massive. Suddenly, you can take a whole library of games with you in your pocket. On a subway, waiting in a cafe, enjoying a short break at work – all of these places are now opportunities to game, thanks to technological advancements.
And what’s more, that has driven huge innovation in the kinds of games that are available, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. With more mobile gamers than ever before, an estimated 2.85 billion in 2024, it’s not surprising that new titles are being released for these platforms constantly. That triggers more players, which triggers more demand, which inevitably leads to more innovations… and so on.
Faster, Stabler Internet
Next, the internet. The giver of all good things in the gaming world. Having a fast, stable internet across much of the globe has changed gaming. It is this that has led to the explosive rise of esports in recent years, a sector that has shown unprecedented growth and sparked imaginations across the planet.
Without the ability to play multiplayer games online, and perhaps even more importantly, to stream them to enthusiastic audiences, this industry would never have realised its full potential. Now, though, we have global tournaments watched by millions of viewers, with things like the Valorant Masters in Bangkok sparking worldwide excitement.
Think back only a few decades, and this would have been totally impossible. We couldn’t have achieved it. The internet simply wasn’t reliable enough and fast enough for this kind of online action, and few would have been able to stream it even if it had come into being through local play. It’s the audiences that have given esports its lifeblood… and they exist simply thanks to the ever-improving stability and speed of the internet.
It’s impressive to see how far tech has moved the gaming world in recent years. Few could have predicted it, but one thing is for sure: everyone is excited about where it might go next.