In recent times, the growth in online gaming has skyrocketed. According to Statista, there are more than one billion online gamers in the world, with China, Japan, and South Korea having the biggest online gaming reach among the population. 

By 2025, the number of online gamers is expected to increase by more than 300 million, as advances in technology and further developments in Internet connectivity are predicted to make online gaming even more immersive and enjoyable for players. 

Below, we look at three key areas that are set to impact online gaming in this coming decade and will contribute to the growth of an already burgeoning industry. 

Artificial Intelligence

It wasn’t so long ago that the very mention of Artificial Intelligence [AI] sparked images of sci-fi and space travel. But without many of us realizing it, AI has become entrenched in our everyday lives. 

From self-driving cars to facial recognition software, AI is already changing the way our technology works. Video game developers have been using AI for years to help them generate assets – saving designers from having to draw every detail within a complex game like Grand Theft Auto, for example – and their influence on game design and gameplay is likely to be more pronounced in the years to come. 

While it’s difficult to predict exactly how AI will be used to shape video games in the near future, we can be sure that developers will seek to find ways in which AI can create even more immersive gameplay scenarios. 

Virtual Reality

Gamers have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a full-immersive virtual reality console. But it hasn’t arrived. Yet. But surely, it’s only a matter of time, as some of the largest tech companies in the world, including Microsoft and Google, have heavily invested in developing virtual reality hardware and games. 

One of the biggest challenges facing the development of virtual reality games is the bulky equipment needed, as well as the costs involved in developing the hardware. Whoever is able to master the development of appropriate hardware and games will surely be on course to take online gaming to the next level. 

5G roll out

Telecommunications companies are already in the early stages of rolling out 5G for mobile devices. This is fantastic news for online gamers, who have long had to struggle with buffering connections and have even had to install VPNs to get around restrictive bandwidth throttling. 

When 5G reaches the masses, Internet speeds will be much faster, and new tech like augmented reality games and many mobile betting options will become increasingly popular. 

As well as making the games themselves better, 5G will encourage more and more people to try mobile gaming and will bring people closer together, even if it is through their smartphones. 

Closing thoughts

Any keen online gamer will be looking at this upcoming decade with hopeful eyes. The way in which technology is evolving and developing constantly will yield fantastic results for an industry that relies on advances in technology to stay current and competitive. 

The next decade is likely to see AI play a much bigger role in the development of online games, as well as the user experience of the platforms on which the games are hosted. If a large tech company is able to tackle the present challenges facing virtual reality, we could also see significant advances in VR gaming in the years to come. 

And to top it all off, the rollout of 5G internet and the improved Internet speeds will make online gaming much more enjoyable for the masses, likely encouraging more and more people to try out the latest gaming technology.