The speed at which technological developments have progressed in a relatively short period of time has facilitated a multi-billion-dollar industry in the gaming world.
From large arcade cabinets to the rise of mobile technology, video games have developed from rudimental and limited game choices to interactive gaming experiences.
Crypto expert Alan Draper also points to the upcoming meme coins available in play-to-earn formats as one of the future developments gamers can look forward to.
1970s
The 1970s saw the introduction of arcade machines, available for the public to play in amusement arcades. The large games housed in cabinets were coin-operated and introduced classic titles to the masses, including Space Invaders and Pong.
The end of the decade saw moves to introduce home consoles, including the Atari.
1980s
The 1980s built on the concept of consumers being able to enjoy video games in the comfort of their own homes. The 8-bit Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was introduced in 1983 with Super Mario Bros. following a few short years later.
Sega also entered the market in the 1980s with the Sega Master System, an 8-bit competitor to the NES. 1988 saw the release of the Sega Genesis, a 16-bit home console most famous for Sonic the Hedgehog that would be released in 1991.
1990s
The 90s saw the continued development of home consoles with the SNES coming along with the classic Mario Kart, but the introduction of handheld consoles allowed people to enjoy gaming on the move for the first time.
The Nintendo Game Boy, Sega Game Gear, and the Atari Lynx all battled for supremacy.
Towards the end of the ’90s, PC gaming really started to take off with games like Doom capturing the imagination of the public.
2000s
Mobile gaming took over from handheld consoles in the 2000s, as cell phones developed from a communication tool to a multifunctional entertainment system.
Preloaded games like Snake saw the trend grow, and the introduction of smartphones, dedicated game apps, and mobile connectivity allowed greater gaming options.
2010s
The 2010s have seen technological developments improve all game platforms including PCs, consoles, mobile devices, and handheld consoles. Developers have had the freedom to create fully immersive gaming experiences that can now be supported by their platforms.
The introduction of Augmented Reality (AR) to mobile games saw the likes of Pokemon Go enjoy unprecedented success.
2020s
The 2020s have seen a continuation of tech integration that is taking the gaming experience to the next level. This has also started to leak into other industries with traditional and crypto gambling sites exploring the gamification of slot machines.
VR (virtual reality) capabilities have moved on from being a novelty to improving gameplay, and hybrid consoles like the Nintendo Switch give consumers the option of gaming on the move or hooking the system up to a TV.
The global 5G rollout has also allowed game developers to create high-quality mobile offerings that can rival that of the best consoles.