Furthermore, the number of people involved in these games is currently at an all-time high, with the majority including children under the age of 18. There is an endless list of genres to choose from such as action, puzzle, musical, real-time strategy, browser games, etc. With each passing day, the excitement increases and things become more realistic for players around the world.
From Super Mario in the 1980s to Pokémon Go in 2016, a lot has changed and that's why we're presenting a list of 10 innovations in video games that dominate the industry today.
1. Voice recognition
Voice recognition is not a new concept for video games, but over time it has become more common and useful. It can be a plug-in device or a built-in microphone available on the gaming device. You can not only turn on/off your game console, but also operate the game and interact with characters through voice commands.
A classic example of this technology is Hey You, Pikachu. In this, the main character must communicate with a wild Pikachu throughout the game to gain its trust.
2. Customizable characters
Unlike the past when there were no avatars for the player except just a car or a weapon, now players can select the characters' personality as per their choice. There are options to choose from in terms of names, gender, looks, hairstyles, outfits and accessories.
Citing an example, The Gray Warden from the Dragon Age series is a game that allows players to choose various aspects of characters, including their social class, abilities and physical characteristics. Another game called Create a Warrior in the WWE Series allows the player to customize the wrestlers' physical appearance along with the entrance theme song as well as their finishing move.
3. Interactive drama/RPG games
In this category, the game has a plot that plays like a movie with different camera angles. The player does not solve any puzzles; he only makes important decisions on which the course of events depends. These games focus on the characters and the plot and allow it to be bad or good. When playing these games you can kill or save other characters.
For example, The Walking Dead is a game in which the protagonist, together with a group, finds ways to survive in a Zombie Apocalypse. Another game called Façade focuses on saving/ruining a couple's marriage, depending on the main character's actions.
4. Downloadable content (DLC)
Downloadable content is all that extra content that can be downloaded by players and aims to retain users. It also enriches the gaming experience, opening up possibilities to bring something new to the game. It can be in the form of coins, maps, weapons, etc.
This technique is often adopted by episodic games like Fallout 3 or fighting games like Mortal Kombat. Sometimes it is offered at a discount for a limited period of time to attract players.
5. Wearable Games
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Games are no longer restricted to consoles, tablets and cell phones. Wearable technology is playing a major role in redefining portable gaming in the form of glasses and watches. Gamers can use Google Glass or Apple Smartwatch to play games without worrying about holding the device.
Efforts are being made to make wearables a new means of entertainment by introducing them as an extension of gaming consoles. This will definitely change the future of enthusiastic gamers around the world.
6. esports
eSports is a trend in which a competition (online or offline) is held and professional players with their respective electronic devices participate to win the cash prize. The genres that are typically subject to this concept are first-person shooters, real-time strategy and fighting games.
Not only do many professionals participate in these contests, but there is also a live audience that watches the competition. Some of them are: The League of Legends World Championship, the Intel Extreme Masters, etc. The trend saw a huge increase in tournaments from the year 2000 onwards.
7. Online Multiplayer Games
Nowadays it has become common for most games to offer online multiplayer feature. This allows you to compete with a large number of players online in real time. You can propose challenges to them or accept challenges from other players. They are played online and therefore require an Internet connection.
Counter Strike is a suitable example of this category that has different modes for online and offline players. When competing online, the first team to achieve objectives wins the game by eliminating the other team.
8. Open World
9. Augmented reality games
Similar to the concept of virtual reality, augmented reality aims to combine the real world with the virtual world. It allows players to engage with game objects that are applicable to real-life situations.
The most identifiable example of this game is Pokémon Go, which was released in July of this year. In this game, the player must find as many Pokémon as possible with the help of the navigation in the app. It became a sensation among gaming fanatics just a few months after it was released.
10. Virtual reality games
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Virtual reality is a technology that allows the user to experience an environment with 3D vision where they interact and perform actions, mainly to play a game. It gives you the opportunity to transfer to an entirely different world while being physically present somewhere else.
With a headset on your head and a console in your hands, you prepare to enter a virtual world and play far from reality. Second Life, Active Worlds, and Blue Mars are some popular virtual reality games.
CONCLUSION
Apparently, the world of video games is transforming in a way that will make a big difference for the future generation. Game developers are making a lot of money from the business and therefore want to provide the best possible gaming experience to their audience.
It's no longer about entertainment; We have reached a stage where children learn and develop their personality by interacting with the virtual world of games. People of all age groups, social classes and personality traits are getting involved in gaming. For example, the way people have gone crazy for Pokémon Go is evidently predicting that a lot will change in the coming years.
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