The evolution and spread of AR, VR, AI, and blockchain have made unprecedented gaming experiences possible.
New experiences with technological advances
The current gaming industry is about to enter a new phase due to the spread of AR and VR mentioned above, and the rise of blockchain games.
For example, with VR, the range of gaming experiences has expanded due to improved performance such as image quality and immersion, and the enrichment of content. In addition, the emergence of devices that reproduce not only vision but also touch and smell allows players to enjoy more realistic experiences in virtual space.
In AR, the number of games played through smartphones is increasing, and new gameplay styles are emerging in which the real world and digital information are fused through AR glasses and smart glasses. There are a wide variety of games, such as games where you progress through quests while walking around the city, and games where you interact with characters in a virtual space indoors.
In addition, "cloud gaming" is also showing signs of becoming more popular. Cloud gaming is a technology that streams high-quality games over the internet, allowing players to enjoy games on a variety of devices without the need for high-performance hardware.
In recent years, with the spread of 5G, services related to cloud gaming have evolved, enabling high-speed, high-quality gaming experiences. From a developer's perspective, it allows games to be provided without relying on the platform, and players can now play games regardless of location, which expands the scope of possibilities for both parties.
In addition, subscription-based cloud gaming services are also on the rise, and players can enjoy many games for a fixed fee, which also has economic benefits.
The existence of blockchain games
The technological advances of blockchain are opening up new possibilities in the gaming industry.
Blockchain games allow players to play using items and characters that utilize NFTs, and items acquired in the game can be bought and sold, or used in other titles. This has led to in-game items becoming closely linked to the real economy, and the value of players' activities and the games themselves is heading towards a new realm that has never been seen before.
These games are also known as "P2E (Play to Earn)" and have created a new concept of "earning while playing." Some players play blockchain games as an extension of their entertainment, while others play as a side job or as their main job.
When P2E became popular in particular, it was a big hit, especially in Southeast Asia. This is because it was an environment where people could earn more by spending more time on blockchain games than on traditional jobs.
In recent years, various blockchain games have appeared, and notable titles are beginning to appear in Japan as well. In particular, Japan has the strength of having a very rich IP and game content, and there is a possibility that it will increasingly make its presence felt in the blockchain gaming field in the future.
Although there are currently disadvantages in cryptocurrency tax systems, Japanese companies should have the potential to create titles that allow users to enjoy the concept of generating assets while playing games.
In addition, the "fusion of the metaverse and blockchain games" may also accelerate in the future. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend to turn land and buildings on the metaverse into NFTs and trade them.
The metaverse, a digitally created world, and blockchain are a great match. As mentioned above, as events and opportunities for interaction in the metaverse increase in the future, there is a possibility that it will develop into an unprecedented form of economic activity, just like blockchain games.
New gaming experiences using AI
New gaming experiences using AI, which are gaining attention at an accelerating rate, are likely to increase in the future. For example, by using AI technology to evolve in-game characters, it is possible to create unique characters that match each individual's play style. As more personalized games become available, the range of gaming experiences for players will also increase.
In addition, the evolution of SNS and social games has further strengthened interaction and cooperation between players. In online multiplayer games, by cooperating with players from all over the world in real time, it may become easier to accomplish missions that would be difficult to complete alone.
The gaming industry has the potential to continue evolving
As mentioned above, technological innovation and new initiatives have made it possible for the current gaming industry to provide players with new experiences that have never been seen before.
The use of VR, AR, cloud gaming, and blockchain has diversified the ways in which games can be enjoyed, and the sense of immersion has increased. As technology continues to evolve, the gaming industry has the potential to continue to grow and evolve.
In addition, as players continue to see new games appear one after another, it is likely that they will tend to prefer games with greater freedom.
The gaming industry has evolved in line with technological developments and consumer needs. This trend is unlikely to change in the future. At this point, in addition to the evolution of AR and VR, it is believed that the key will be further improvements to the metaverse, the introduction of blockchain, and the use of AI.
With AR and VR, it is important to be able to provide a more realistic immersive experience. In addition, as immersion evolves, it is likely that applications will progress not only in games but also in fields such as education and medicine. Cloud games, as mentioned above, may also see further development due to faster internet speeds brought about by 5G and other technologies.
In particular, the development of a good player environment is important for the development of blockchain games. Specifically, tax reform is also necessary, but there is a strong demand for the spread of wallets and the improvement of the quality of the games themselves.
Many blockchain games to date have been ones where you can make money but are not very fun. As a result, it is not rare for players to disappear if the price of in-game assets or crypto assets falls.
With fun games, carefully designed tokenomics, and an approach that lowers the barrier to entry for players, blockchain games have the potential to grow exponentially and become rapidly popular.
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