Top 10 Gaming Trends You Need to Know in 2024

The electrifying innovations in the gaming industry have been rampant, which bags us with the novel gaming trends for 2024. However, did you know the mind-boggling fact that the gaming industry has a net worth of $90 billion?

Yes, this is mindblowing, yet true. But what has spiked gaming industry revenue to heights? The credit goes to buzzwords of artificial Intelligence, metaverse, 3D games, cloud gaming, NFT, and blockchain games, to name a few.

These emerging technologies in gaming have got us playing incessantly for long hours, and you cannot stop it. Right?!

 

Let’s have a look at the popular game trends of 2024 now.

2D/3D Metaverse Games: Call it a Trip to Mars 

Do you remember the time when metaverse was just a thing to discuss? Metaverse has now turned the 90s gaming trends topsy-turvy as it is packed with digital assets, digital currencies, animated environments, avatars, weapons, and much more.

Metaverse gaming enables players to fully immerse themselves in the game environment as if all is happening in the real world. Metaverse roots social gaming as people can have matches, partake in different activities, and interact with each other.  Even though the metaverse is not fully developed yet, the gaming trend and its hype are real because of the technologies used in the metaverse, such as augmented and virtual reality.

The orbit of metaverse gaming is captivating to the players as they have the opportunity to gather together, have events with their teams, access play-to-earn games, and much more. This is one of the reasons that metaverse is trending the most in the gaming industry. 

 

This is how players react when they experience metaverse games:

 

In the foreseeable future, many developments for metaverse gaming are being carried forward to make it more enthralling and practically possible for gamers.

Augmented Reality Games: Digital Overlays in Reality 

 

You know the Bitmoji thing, right? The one you use on your Snapchat in a real-life environment. To quote a reference for augmented reality, we thought Snapchat's Bitmoji would be the right thing to quote.

 

Augmented reality gaming enables players to interact with virtual objects in their surroundings, buildings, objects, and much more. It gives the perfect blend of VR infused in real-time. Pokemon Go is one example of augmented reality in which the players have to move across places, socialize, and enjoy a new dimension of the game in AR. 

 

In 2024, many updates and technologies will encompass augmented reality, further leading it to become a gaming trend. Speaking of this, spatial audio technology in augmented reality is expected to make a shift in which multi-sensory effects will be added. These effects will make players feel more immersed and realistic in their game environment.

 

 

The next trend we will see in 2024 is AI integration with augmented reality. It is primarily underpinned by the fact that spatial and facial recognition will be a part of augmented reality gaming. The augment in our reality for gaming will give a brilliant experience to the players they might have never seen before. Additionally, in corporate events, augmented reality enhances presentations and networking with immersive, interactive experiences.

 

Virtual Reality Games: Ready to Wear the VR Headsets?

If we talk about the superpowers of virtual reality games, we must remember their ability to put us in an ultra-realistic environment. The virtual reality trend in games enables players to plunge into highly lifelike environments - believable to mind. 

You must have heard of Minecraft and might as well have played it. Right? 

The VR version of Minecraft is a quintessential game to experience the perks of virtual reality. Players can take challenges, complete them and live the survival mode through the oculus, hand controls, and Windows mixed reality devices. 

Virtual reality games are a boon to the gaming industry as two fruitful results have been gained with it, i.e., players’ retention and engagement. First, VR technology in games directly influences the lizard brain of the human cognitive system, letting them feel fully immersed in the game, animation, designs, and objects. 

It has transformed traditional, mundane, and bland games into a new dimension that entice players. A few years ago, the headset and devices to experience virtual reality were costly, which halted a multitude of players from experiencing it. As of now, VR headset technologies are becoming easily available and affordable, which has sky-rocketed their influence in the industry.
 

Mixed Reality Games: Recipe in the Blender 

You might have heard very little about mixed reality games, but in the foreseeable future, mixed reality games will be the hype.
 

Mixed reality games give the players the perfect blend of augmented reality and virtual objects, where they can use real objects to play in the virtual world. Notable research shows the mixed reality in the gaming market is expected to research a value of $178.14 million by the end of 2024. 

The gaming trend of mixed reality games is more prevalent in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America. With emerging technologies, wearable headsets and a blend of AR/VR is incessantly rampant in the gaming world. The quick adoption of devices and smart technologies is becoming the main cause of promising mixed reality prospects in gaming.

Move-to-earn (M2E) Games: Oh Yeah, Just Like Pokemon!

Adding a financial layer through decentralized platforms and gamification to social fitness apps is the perfect exhibition of move-to-earn games.

The concept might be familiar. However, M2E games have become a new gaming trend for crypto and blockchain games in 2024. Speaking of crypto and blockchain, investors have shown keen interest in move-to-earn (M2E) games as they show a profitable income and revenue generation.

From players' perspective, earning through games has always been a fascinating idea. With technology and move-to-earn games, the horizons of earring through games have become easier. M2E games are easier to understand for players as they involve physical movements, and there is a low barrier to entering or playing these games.

The gamification aspects of the fitness app integrated with blockchain technology make it even more enticing for the players. The trend will continue to make rounds as it not only captivating investors but also retailers.

Cloud Gaming/Gaming-as-a-Service (GaaS): Ticket to Every Game

Do you remember the time when players had to buy consoles and gaming stations for hefty prices? Well, it’s time to say goodbye because we have the most economical and easy-to-get solution for playing games with no lags.

Say Hi to Cloud Gaming!

Cloud gaming is also known synonymously with game streaming, in which players can easily access any game with their device with a high-speed internet connection. In recent times, the cloud gaming trend has been surging as it gives convenience to players along with its pocket-friendliness.

Another reason for its soaring heights in the gaming trends is that players do not have to worry about discs, consoles, and gaming stations. Rather they can subscribe to gaming for the stipulated time, such as monthly, yearly, quarterly, and so on.

The onslaught of robust technologies such as 5G has boosted cloud gaming because of improved internet bandwidth. As a result, it has become more accessible for gamers to switch on their device and access games with their browser.

If you are looking for an easy gaming solution that doesn't cost an arm and leg, gaming as a service would be the right path.

Cross-platform Accessibility: Play Games Anywhere, Anytime! 

Remember the days when games were exclusively developed for specific devices released by Sony and Nintendo? 

Well, gone are the days when gamers and players had to worry about device compatibility. Now, in the recent gaming trends, the cross-platform accessibility of the games is the strong point being observed by gamers. 

To make your game successful, it is important to make games have cross-platform accessibility so that players can access the game from any operating system without any hurdles. 

This new trend boosts engagement as all players can access the game without worrying about their devices. Moreover, this reduces the waiting times for the players who have to check the game's availability on their devices. 

Now, most of the games being developed are made with the feature of cross-platform accessibility to shoo away the complexities and hurdles.

Indie Games: It's the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

One of the fascinating gaming trends of 2024 is Indie games, as they have gained massive popularity over the course of recent years. Casual gamers and hardcore gamers have also been partaking in playing indie games on platforms like Steam and Roblox.

Steam and Roblox prove to be the holy grail for both game developers and game players. Both platforms enable indigenous game developers and players to upload their games and access the games, respectively. 

A notable research show in America, the massive one-year rise from 13% to 17% is only observed in indie games among PC and console gamers. Games such as celeste, Undertale, and Into the Breach, with many other indie games, are top of the chart. 

The main reason indie games have gone mainstream in the gaming trends is their unique narrative and storyboarding. In addition, unlike other popular games, indie games do not plan to drench your wallet and pocket, as they are easy to plan without spending huge amounts of money. 

It’s a great genre for independent game developers who want to take a baby step in developing games for the industry. It’s your time, so you gotta rock it!

Video Game Remakes: A Time Machine to Nostalgia  

The blend of nostalgia with technology is what makes video remakes the best. In recent times, it has been observed that video game remakes are becoming a popular trend in gaming, such as demon’s souls, Black Mesa, and many others. 

Remaking old video games and their sequels is a boon for the gaming industry as they can drive huge revenues and amass the audience. Research unveils the fact that video remakes are not only driving revenue, but digital revenues have also doubled. It has also been said that marketing for remade video games is relatively easier as the audience is already well-informed about them.

Most video game remakes are either from the early 90s/2000s or from the games that will have their sequels. From volox art and pixelated 2D games to virtual or augmented reality, video game remakes are astounding and enthralling.

eSports Gaming: The Electric Spark into Sports 

Another soaring gaming trend is eSports which has proven to be a breakthrough in the gaming industry. In the upcoming years, the revenue is expected to be increased by $1 billion. The eSports trend is rapidly increasing because players now have more options to play their favorite sports through an interesting gaming platform.

eSports are not entirely about sports and physical game tournaments; rather, they are more inclined towards real-time games, strategic games, and first-shooter games. eSports democratize the players as they do not have to worry about the bars of physical maintenance. Yet, the challenges in eSports are far from easy to be achieved and win the game. 

With time, eSports is integrating with blockchain technology for seamless betting and prize competition. Also, eSports enable players to engage using social media, live-streaming platforms, and in-person tournaments.