With the launch of the new PS5 and Xbox Series, players at long last find themselves in the new console generation. That is if you were lucky enough to get a handle on the systems before they sold out. For the rest of us, we still have a million other options to choose from, such as the expansive and still-growing world of mobile gaming.
As far as mobiles have come, however, there’s no doubt that they can struggle when compared to these contemporary consoles and gaming PCs. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen new consoles, with the PS4 releasing in late 2013. With the entire mobile and gaming market having developed so far since those days, we have to ask what might be next for interactive entertainment on smartphones.
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There is no Death
First and foremost, we need to point out that we in no way believe that mobile gaming is going anywhere. What it could do is evolve significantly more. Mobiles have come a long way in recent years, as has connection technology, and this could cause mobiles to reach a level that they’ve never before experienced.
As a base, mobiles have long had a developed platform and range of software to rely on. Inside of gaming, this means the current expansive state of the app stores, filled with thousands of titles and even recent AAA level experiences. Older developers might have taken their time to get involved in this arena, but now the stage has been set with the likes of COD Mobile, this level of interest is here to stay.
Also important are the contributions made by browser experiences like online casino games. For a modern example of this, users could visit Space Casino. With new browser-integration technologies like HTML5, these services no longer require dedicated app downloads. Dozens of slots, jackpots, and live games are now available right from a webpage, scaling even to old and lower-powered devices. This is evidence of new technology that overcomes the heavy requirements that more graphically intensive games normally require.
Going Forward
The next generation looks to be one of a continued growth among these lines, though newer technologies and trends could also raise potential considerably. Probably the best examples of these could be found in game-streaming and the mass adoption of mobile gaming controllers.
Game streaming, formerly held back by slower 4G connections, is now reaching mass-viability. Essentially, these systems like Microsoft’s Project xCloud and Google’s Stadia let mobiles mirror PC or console hardware, giving full-fat experiences that mobile processors couldn’t manage alone.
Controllers like gamepads could tie into this streaming technology, but might also prove powerful on their own. These would overcome the input limitations which are implied by some touch-screen games, giving players a much more accurate and traditionally feeling way to play. These have existed for years, but now, they’re finally going from niche to reliable carry accessory.
Predicting the future of mobiles is always going to be tricky because we never really know what technology-defining hit might be just around the corner. What we do know is that this side of gaming is not just going to expand along existing avenues, but will also branch out into new ones. In the coming years, these might not just be an alternative to consoles, but could even become a replacement. Until then, we’re happy with being spoiled for choice.
