There are some forms of gaming that are never a generation behind, because they never go away. We speak, of course, about the traditional card and board games. These have existed for tens, hundreds or even thousands of years, and though they evolve, their fundamentals remain largely the same.
Arguably, the main disadvantage of these games compared to digital titles comes from the fact that, so far, they only really lend themselves to local play. Given recent advancements in streaming and display technology, however, these limitations could be a thing of the past.
Today, many forms of online gaming benefit from online live streaming tech. The most obvious of these for most gamers is probably seen through the success stories of platforms such as Twitch, but this is only part of the puzzle.
Just as relevant to this discussion is the progress made by iGaming websites for applications like live casino games. Online casino providers such as ComeOn offer card games and other titles that use dealers on one end, and the players behind their computer or mobile on the other, as part of a one-way live video link. Effectively, this combines the fun of live play with the convenience of being at home, and it is from this form of progress that we could draw advancements.
To fall back on the Twitch example, some of the site’s more popular streams come in the form of IRL broadcasts. These succeed based on the personal aspect, and the strength of the hosts. Modify this type of stream in such a way to include friends and family over strangers, and you begin to see the appeal.
Combining the examples of live casino games and the freedom of Twitch streams could create a situation where players could enjoy the advantages of both; the fun of hanging out with the people who matter the most to you, and the enjoyment of cooperative or competing against each other, made possible almost anywhere in the world.
One of the final barriers to this is the increased adoption of augmented reality software hardware. While face cams and basic gaming systems already work together, it could be the combination of the next generation of technologies which drives it to the next level.
Placing multiple small cameras in your home could be used to effectively live-stream a 3D model of yourself through the internet. Using upcoming AR glasses like the Nreal Lights and the following generational improvements, you could then have your friends superimposed within your home. This could effectively give an incredibly intimate experience and would be a huge step forward in long-distance communication and entertainment.
The other major hurdles to these systems currently come down to development and cost. The concepts are there, and we know the technology can handle such ideas, but the tech’s relative infancy means its not quite a reality for more users – not within the next few years at least.
If we stay patient, it’s entirely probable that systems such as the ones described above will become attainable achievements and investment on the mass scale within the next decade. It might not be as good as actually being there, but it could be the next best thing.
