The video game industry has been at the frontier of technological advancements in recent years, with many breakthrough technologies being implemented by businesses and various other industries worldwide. Throughout this article, we will explore the innovative paths video games could take in 2024 and the trends that could shape the video gaming world as we enter the new year.

From Code to Creation: Generative AI's Evolution in Gaming

Generative AI tools are set to explode in the video gaming industry in 2024. For example, it could be used to create more natural and believable characters within games that can easily converse with players without having to follow and read a set script. Furthermore, through generative AI evolution, vast gaming worlds and experiences can be built to create an even more enjoyable playing environment for gamers.

Industry Evolution: The Impact of Consolidation and Acquisitions

The video gaming industry saw some massive acquisitions in 2023. For example, Microsoft's $70 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard sent shockwaves through the business world and highlighted how far the video gaming industry has come. In 2024, this trend will likely continue, with rumors swirling that Microsoft could even look to purchase industry-long stay Nintendo soon. Furthermore, it's important to remember that consolidations and acquisitions aren't always bad things, and most of the time, they lead to innovation in the industry, even though video gaming purists beg to differ.

Unlimited Access: The Evolution of On-Demand Gaming Services

On-demand gaming could be the future of the video gaming world and will evolve even further in 2024. For example, you only have to look at how accessible online casino games have become for users worldwide, with platforms offering on-the-go deals such as the Stake Casino no deposit bonus and more. Video gaming looks set to follow this consumer-convenience-loving trend by offering gamers cloud services to enjoy their favorite games. For example, Google Stadia's streaming gaming service was launched in 2023, and Netflix and Amazon entered the video gaming market by offering downloadable game content on users' devices.

Gaming Anywhere: The Promise of Next-Gen Portable Devices

Handheld gaming devices have made somewhat of a resurgence in recent years, with many older gamers getting some nostalgic feels from their childhood devices. For example, 2024 could see a new Nintendo Switch launch, which would make sense, as the original Nintendo Switch is still hugely popular with gamers worldwide. With the first Nintendo Switch nearing its eighth birthday, this could indicate that the next-gen portable Switch could be on its way to video gamers in 2024 at some point and may give the Steam Deck some unique competition, which is exciting.

The Competitive Arena: Evolution of Esports and Pro-Gaming

Video gamers are no strangers to Esports and pro-gaming, an industry that looks set to continue its upward trend in 2024. With professional leagues such as the FIA and FIFA already well-established within the Esports market, more global sporting bodies will likely follow suit to cash in on youngsters' passion for gaming. With gaming now seen as a lucrative and genuine career path for many children globally, professional gaming and Esports look for a profitable future in 2024 and beyond.

The New Wave: Resurrecting Augmented Reality's Influence

Virtual reality may have taken the throne from augmented reality as video gaming's next big thing recently. However, we could see a resurgence in AR's influence in 2024. For example, the video gaming industry has a wave of new AR headsets coming out in 2024, like the Apple Vision Pro, Microsoft HoloLens 3, and the Vuzix Blade XR3, which may see it gain some more notoriety once again, as it did with Pokemon Go back in 2016.

What are your predictions?