Online gaming has now been around for several decades in its mass-market form. Ever since the mid-1990s, when internet connections became commonplace in millions of homes, online gaming started to emerge. Gamers with a suitable PC and a reliable internet connection could begin to enjoy a range of titles. These early online games were far inferior to their modern counterparts in several ways. Most noticeable was the quality of the graphics and sound effects. Early gaming PCs simply did not have the processing power to display complex objects in high resolutions or produce high-fidelity soundscapes.
The relatively small amounts of onboard memory (in the computer RAM and ROM) meant that the scope of game design was limited. In addition, slow download and upload speeds from dial-up connections meant that game servers could only send limited amounts of data each second. Today, the rapid advances in computer processors and the increasing sophistication of a range of gaming technologies allow far more impressive and immersive online games to be produced. In this article, we will discuss how various technologies have driven improvements in online gaming.
Cloud Technology Allowing Game-streaming
In recent years, cloud technology has become commonplace across many forms of modern business. It allows firms to effectively support remote working practices and keep productivity levels high in an increasingly dispersed workforce. However, cloud technology has also helped to improve some forms of online gaming.
There is now a range of cloud services that allow gamers to enjoy next-generation action without needing to invest in an expensive gaming PC or next-gen gaming console. Most of the processing power in these platforms comes from the servers that send information between the gaming device and the cloud service. This means that complex and graphically/memory-intensive games can be streamed to a relatively unsophisticated gaming device that is cheap to buy.
Improved Internet Speeds Supporting Live Dealer Facilities
Playing casino games online is something that is enjoyed by millions of adults all around the world. The on-demand nature of the platform, combined with attractive welcome bonuses and customer loyalty schemes, makes it an accessible and enjoyable way to play. One key development in this field in recent years has been the rise of games supporting live dealer facilities.
As the name indicates, this is where a human dealer controls the gameplay, spinning the roulette wheel, taking bets, and controlling the pace of each round. Live dealer games typically feature video feeds of the dealer, along with video, audio, or text chat options. This technology simply would not be available if it were not for improved internet speeds and increased bandwidths. Put simply, these advances in internet infrastructure allow high volumes of data to be downloaded and uploaded to the casino site, supporting the authentic live dealer experience.
Increased Immersion in VR gaming
Finally, gaming is on the verge of making a significant leap forward in terms of the level of immersion it provides players. In the last five years, VR headsets have begun to gain mass appeal for video gaming. Headsets are now made by some of the leading industry giants, such as Sony and Meta. Players can put on a headset and enter believable online 3D worlds that provide immersion, which cannot be matched by playing on a traditional screen or monitor. At present, the processing power and graphical capabilities of such tech are still significantly behind that of the latest gaming PCs and next-generation consoles. However, industry experts predict that this tech will eventually match the capabilities of conventional gaming hardware, and VR will become the dominant form of video gaming.