If we take a look at Mario back when he was still battling Donkey Kong, to where he is now, we can see just how far gaming has evolved. And it’s not just Mario. From major consoles to online gaming to mobile apps, gaming technology is always changing. Even games that we’ve seen at the latest E3 look light years ahead of predecessors that might have only come out years ago (we’re looking at you Gears of War). But in this industry, change isn’t a bad thing.
The 8-bit explosion of the 80s
In the 1980s, gaming hit the big time. Arcade game fever was running riot with people flocking to play Pacman. More importantly, it was the era of home gaming, giving players the chance to enjoy great games from the comfort of their own homes. The introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) gave us the original Super Mario Bros., Zelda and became the best-selling gaming console of its time. Sega’s Master System provided competition and set the scene for console wars for years to come.
From cartridge to disc to many more bits
As we went through the 90s, noughties and this current decade, technology has been at the centre of gaming innovation. Putting in a game cartridge on the Super Nintendo or Mega Drive was an exhilarating experience. And the difference from 8-bit graphics to 16-bit was evident – games looked crystal clear in comparison.
Then it exploded into 3D games when the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation came around. The 64-bit console took things to a new level, and Sony and Sega kept trying to compete. It was an era of expansion packs, quirky new controllers and branded games, all while handheld consoles and games were changing too. The advancements in technology didn’t just mean greater graphics, more immersive games and lots of aching hands; it helped create a community of gamers. However, this community was limited to friends at school discussing their favourite game. Fast forward to where we are now though, and the community, graphics and gaming experience is a far contrast to the bad graphics of the 80s.
Gaming is part of everyday culture
Today we’ve got huge multiplayer games that boast the best graphics available. FIFA football gets the likeness of football stars down to a tee. And Fortnite and Call of Duty keep players engrossed daily. As well as superb visuals, players can compete over continents, whether cooperatively or combatively, making the gaming community truly worldwide. And how has it come to this? With the technology, of course! High bandwidth data connectivity allows us to wirelessly connect our devices and communicate and compete with people across the globe.
The evolution of iGaming
If we’re focusing on games that can be played whenever, wherever, we must look at the incredible evolution that iGaming has gone through as well. Playing fruit machines in a pub is now a novelty. Slots have changed beyond belief since the online casino scene hit the big time in the early noughties. All of a sudden, there’s no need to go to a land-based casino when all the best slot games can be enjoyed from a computer, tablet or mobile. Even better, there’s no D-Pad related controller required. Slots started as simple replicas of what you’d expect at a casino – think Bars, Bells and fruit symbols. Nowadays, new slots features are vying for your attention. Just like with consoles battling each other at E3 to showcase their latest games, companies such as Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech and SG Digital do the same thing at exhibitions across the world. It’s the gamers who yield the rewards though – slots with branded content, new exciting games which are feature-rich and story-driven, and progressive jackpots which offer millions. Not bad for something that can be played on a mobile phone.
It’s not just slots which have evolved, the whole iGaming industry has. Live dealer games bring the magic of a dealer to your living room, so you can enjoy the whole immersive experience without having to don your tuxedo unless you want to, of course.
Technology for all
The improvements and harnessing of gaming technology aren’t just limited to the likes of Microsoft and Sony. The iGaming world is getting in on the act. So, while 2019 gives us glimpses into virtual reality games and cutting-edge graphics, we see the same thing in online gaming too. Exciting stuff, right?
What’s next?
Like most things in today’s world, technology is a huge driving factor. It just so happens that it’s more noticeable in gaming. For instance, cars have been around for ages now and while they all undergo improvements, where are the flying cars promised from the films of the 80s? Mind you, the car inventors are certainly trying. Compare that to the advancement of the NES to the Nintendo Switch, and you can see just how far it’s come along. We now can play HD games on the go. Names like Mario, Master Chief and Kratos are part of our world, and the gaming community continues to grow. As long as the tech involved keeps getting better, this world of gaming will too.
