AI or VR – What Tech Will Define Gaming for the Next 5 Years?

Technology has made mind-blowing advancements in recent years. From 3D-printed medical equipment to Maglev trains, we’re experiencing an unprecedented rate of development, and the games industry is at the forefront.

Video game popularity has steadily risen over recent years, with more and more people acknowledging the benefits of the pastime and the participant demographic expanding. In fact, the average age of gamers has jumped from 29 to 36 in 2024 alone.

Active gamers in the community expect the strength of the industry to continue its incredible growth, and the top brass agrees. In the third quarter of 2024, gaming venture capital (VC) saw $517 million in funding for the period, which suggests that confidence in the sector is at a high. Growth can be seen everywhere, from small independent titles to online slots available on platforms like Johnslots.

So what’s next for the industry in the next five years? I’ve examined AI and VR as two tech models that could define the sector in the coming years.

Technologies Shaping the Industry

The game world has always been at the forefront of the latest technology. Without the latest developments, we wouldn’t have the incredible experiences we have today. Today, it’s the metaverse that’s having the biggest impact on the industry. This immersive environment makes extensive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies.

Let’s take a look at how exactly AI and VR are expected to shape the industry over the coming years. 

The Impact of AI Over the Next Five Years

We could see AI turn the video game industry on its head, affecting everything from the stages of development to how titles are played. In the next five years, AI is expected to take on a more frontline role in the industry, fundamentally transforming the way titles are played and designed.

AI’s Contribution to Personalised Recommendations: From JohnSlots to Algorithmic Knowledge

One of AI’s most ubiquitous use cases can be found in sorting through vast content libraries and pushing tailored recommendations to players. The entire entertainment industry depends on these personalised recommendations, from online casinos to gaming platforms like Steam. 

Of course, AI can’t replace all curated libraries. The online slot comparison site JohnSlots has risen to prominence thanks to its expert approach to selecting the very best of a thriving ‘marketplace’ of competitors, and AI won’t be able to rival the level of insight their writers offer. However, for the individual brands they review, AI is already an indispensable tool for sorting through huge selections of titles and pushing to the forefront those that are best suited to loyal players. 

AI’s Contribution to Procedural Content Generation (PCG)

In the development of new worlds, developers have been known to run into issues with the development of game assets. After all, whole worlds are not so easy to build. However, AI has been employed in the generation of assets such as levels and maps. The addition of AI to this sector helps developers create vast, unique experiences in less time.

AI’s Contribution to NPC Development 

NPCs are an element in immersive gameplay that plays a huge role in the whole experience. Developers are constantly searching for ways to make them more lifelike, however, they are limited by the instructions of their programming.

However, imagine an NPC who remembers your past interactions and adjusts their behavior accordingly. This NPC could be wholly possible with the integration of AI.

If done right, AI could help make NPCs even more complex and lifelike. Instead of simply following a script or reacting in predictable ways, AI-powered NPCs will adapt on the fly, responding to players’ choices in realistic and unexpected ways.

VR in the Industry Over the Next Five Years 

VR is having a major impact as well. In the coming years, it is expected to make big waves in the industry. VR has become more advanced and accessible, and the industry is set to be at the forefront of its development. In the next five years, it is expected to reshape the way games are developed, experienced, and even shared.

VR in Physical Activity

A common critique of gaming is that there’s no physical activity involved, and this could lead to the deterioration of players’ health overall. These concerns have only increased as immersive play became more popular.

However, VR will enable developers to find ways to make gameplay a more active, physical experience. Titles that require physical movement, such as Beat Saber and Supernatural, have already highlighted VR’s potential for fitness and exercise.

Over the next few years, VR will bring new game genres that keep participants active. Existing genres that we could see transformed by VR include: 

  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Racing
  • Horror

As VR equipment becomes lighter and more ergonomic, it’ll feel more comfortable for longer sessions, allowing participants to move, dodge, and engage with their bodies rather than just their hands.

The incorporation of VR could also allow developers to push boundaries in other aspects of the industry besides immersion. Through the design of VR titles with mechanics and accessories that don’t exist in traditional titles, VR could encourage creativity, giving rise to game genres and experiences we couldn’t possibly begin to imagine.

Final Thoughts

AI and VR are both evolving rapidly, and their convergence in the game industry holds incredible potential. However, I believe AI will lead the way in development over the next five years. This isn’t to downplay VR’s progress, but virtual reality still has quite a bit of ground to cover before its impact can be fully realized. In the meantime, focusing on AI will allow game design to reach new and unparalleled levels.

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