It’s always tempting to make sci-fi predictions for a coming year based on what could happen, not on what is likely to happen. The gaming industry is often on the forefront of innovation, yet the trends are more fundamental than you might think.
Companies will be working with emerging technology and releasing new versions of games. But they’ll also be doing more of the same, gradually improving user experience and attracting players from a broader, global market.
Here are the top gaming trends for 2023.
Internet and mobile adoption continues
According to Statista, there are now 5.03 billion internet users, representing 63.1 percent of the world’s population. Northern Europe has a 98 percent internet penetration rate, the highest in the world, but elsewhere there’s still plenty of room for growth.
A different breakdown of stats places the number of smartphone users at over 6 billion. In some countries, such as China and India, both of which have populations of well over a billion, the smartphone penetration rate is still less than 70 percent.
As countries around the globe become more connected to internet and smartphone devices, online gaming becomes more accessible. We can see this with the recent online poker boom in Brazil. Brazilian players now win more than double the number of trophies than any other country in a typical poker series.
The trend points towards a more globalized online gaming market which includes players from countries around the world increasingly accessing via mobile devices; this can be from anywhere – other than their motor vehicle – whether at home, or on the move.
Improved experiences in iGaming sector
Although iGaming is typically played for real money, the games are still designed to be enjoyable. From graphics and animations, to the introduction of brand new options, online gaming sites are continually looking to gain an edge over competition and keep players engaged.
In brick and mortar venues, the most popular poker games prevail and, outside of major hubs, you’re unlikely to find many tables for the more unusual variations. Anyone who plays poker online at a major platform will find a greater mix of games, such as Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Stud and Draw, as well as quirky online formats that aren’t available elsewhere.
In 2023, developers will continue to look for new ways to innovate. Expect new themes, sounds and animations, as well as brand new game types. The trend in recent years has been towards faster versions of games like poker. For example, Spin & Gos last for around five to ten minutes, yet offer the chance to spin for a big prize. New additions are likely to follow this trend of exciting, fast paced poker.
Photo by UnSplash.
More social elements
Another obvious area for games to enhance is the social side. Games used to be played in arcades or on consoles at home with friends. Increasingly, PC and console games have moved online. This is a double edged sword. On the one hand, players are often sitting alone at home. On the other hand, they can connect with thousands of others in an instant to share a competitive or cooperative moment online.
The social element of gaming has become so powerful, that many now report real friendship with those they have played with online. From chat boxes to headsets that allow for live
communication, some of the most popular games in the world – titles such as Fortnite and Call of Duty, demand and embrace this social element.
In 2023, we’ll see innovators in the industry tackle the social element of gaming even further with new solutions. In the meantime, multiplayer online titles will continue to take a huge slice of the market.
What about VR and AR?
One potential social feature that we could see more of is VR and AR. Poker rooms have already adopted these technologies and released special versions with virtual scenery and special features. But so far, it’s not really took off. While internet and smartphone penetration has reached well over half the world’s population, VR remains a niche sector.
Popular VR titles are often spin-offs of existing games, such as Resident Evil: VR and Skyrim: VR. Standalone titles are struggling to gain traction in a market that is much smaller than PC or console gaming.
It’s unlikely that VR will be a major trend in 2023. Far from a big leap, the gaming industry looks set to continue in the direction it has been taking in recent years, gathering momentum in growing markets across the globe, and continuing to make improvements to players’ overall experience when it comes to gameplay and social elements.
