Gaming is one of the largest entertainment industries out there. It has created quite the reputation for itself offering something for everyone and of all ages. Gamers can choose from PC or browser-based games, gaming consoles, and even their smart devices for app-based games. With so many options, it also means you have access to games pretty much any time and from any place. Looking at how far the industry has come in the past couple of decades, it can be hard to imagine what’s next. Where else can this industry possibly go?
Let’s take a look at what the future of gaming looks like for 2022 and beyond, giving you plenty to look forward to.
Developers Getting Back on Track
The first trend that players will notice in 2022 is that there is a push for developers to get back on track. The past two years have created a lot of delays and uncertainties thanks to the COVID pandemic. With the prediction that things will stabilise globally in 2022, developers are now getting back to the basics and finishing up the delayed releases.
One of the biggest announcements has already happened in January and that is the release of the delayed LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. The game was originally announced back in 2019 but several delays hampered production and it missed the Christmas 2021 launch. Now slated to be released April 5, 2022, it’s one of many big titles that are finally going to hit the shelves this year.
Another highly-anticipated game release is Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora. The belief is that this is meant to launch at the same time as Avatar 2, which has been delayed eight times in the past. So as long as Avatar 2 arrives on time this year, you will likely see the game released as well.
Plenty of Investments to Be Made in 2022
And along the same lines, developers will also benefit from plenty of big investment in 2022. There is a push to keep adding more titles to the market with new and creative offerings. This means a lot will be under development in 2022, with the results potentially released in 2023.
Watch for More Innovation and Options for Online Casinos
The rise of online casino games has been steep and extremely reliable for years now. Players welcomed the on-the-go version of their favourite casino games, and this interest hasn’t shown any signs of waning. So what’s the future for this style of game in 2022? The words more, more, more can accurately sum it up.
For the year 2022, it will be all about innovation and options. As the technology continues to evolve, graphics get better and sleeker, gameplay becomes more immersive, and the convenience of playing online any time you want wins over more players – you’ll all see a continuous influx of new options. Many of the top casinos strive to offer new content monthly even weekly so that players get treated to a fresh and exciting experience each time they visit.
Another emerging trend within the category of online casino games is fast withdrawal casinos. These are casinos that offer payouts extremely fast, sometimes within hours, and for that reason appeal to a wide array of players. The OnlineCasinos website does a great job at listing the top fast withdrawal casinos in the UK so that you don’t have to do the legwork yourself. You can also refer to the OnlineCasinos website for information on welcome bonuses, the games offered, and other important information on each casino.
Demand Still Outstripping Supplies
If you found it difficult to get your hands on a gaming console in 2021, unfortunately, 2022 isn’t looking much brighter. Watch for demand to out-pace supplies at least for the first half of 2022. The inventory shortage is something console developers are well aware of and are trying to remedy, but it’s all going to take time.
Subscription Gaming Isn’t Going Away
If you’re not a big fan of subscription gaming, then you won’t be thrilled to hear it appears to be here for the long haul. Nintendo and Sony PlayStation already have subscription passes and now Microsoft joins them. These services are meant to give players exclusive perks and add-ons that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. From the platform’s point of view, it is a way to guarantee income regularly, as these services are offered as monthly or yearly plans.
As of the third week in January, Microsoft’s Game Pass has 25 million subscribers, but it’s been a slow road to get to this point. However, then came the breaking news that Microsoft has bid on Activision Blizzard. Should this move ahead, it is believed this could give a huge bump to the subscription numbers. For those unfamiliar with Activision Blizzard, they are responsible for such massive titles as Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Call of Duty.
Crossover Between Games and Movies
While this isn’t a new trend, it is certainly proving to be big for 2022. Video games have often acted as inspiration when it comes to movies, and this year is shaping up to be an impressive crossover year. Traditionally a movie or television show was released first, viewer engagement and approval were rated, and then merchandising was developed, which included video games. The process has slowly reversed itself in the past few years with the games now acting as a first step and the movie or television show to follow.
A couple of examples of games being turned into movies are Uncharted and The Last of Us. There is also the Halo television series, rumours of Borderlands becoming a movie franchise, and Riot Games’ Arcane (inspired by League of Legends).
The streaming services – mainly Netflix – also want a piece of the action and have been very active in taking these games and turning them into series or exclusive movies for their service.
The Trends Look Promising and Exciting
If you were to sum up the future of gaming for 2022, it could be described as promising and exciting, with plenty to offer gamers.