10 years ago, IGN did an article in which they got many (then) gaming industry experts and developers to look into their crystal balls and make predictions of how gaming will look like in the year 2021.
Well, it is now the year 2021, so lets take a look at how right or wrong they got their predictions.
Also, here is the link to the article for those that want to read more up on everything
The Next Evolution of Motion Controls
According to Yoshida, the motion controls of today like PlayStation Move are the equivalent of the early 8-bit days of game consoles. “In the future, we will know more about the player,” said Yoshida. “Game developers will have access to real-time information and data about the player, which will allow them to create some really dangerous-almost interactivities.”
Star Trek Holodecks in Your Living Room
According to Hocking, holographics are going to be doable in the next 10 years. “You can bring an object out of the screen and look around it right now in our R&D studio in Liverpool using 3D and head tracking,” said Hocking. "We’re just at the start of this technology and we’re looking forward to game designers taking this and creating new experiences.
Performance Capture Technology Will Surpass Hollywood
According to Cerny, games like Heavy Rain and Uncharted 3 are just the beginning of what can be done with performance capture - and not just in gaming. “Epic Games’ Samaritan demo at GDC gave a preview of what the next generation of virtual characters will look like,” said Cerny. “Performance capture will continue to evolve and allow game developers to connect with players on an emotional level.”
Always-Connected Gaming Experiences
Santiago believes the current generation of connected gamers who’ve grown up online will move on to develop brand new types of gaming experiences. “The kinds of games this connected generation of gamers is going to make we can’t possibly understand now,” said Santiago. These connected experiences will continue to evolve game genres and experiences beyond even the cross-platform options that are exploding today.
Conquering The Uncanny Valley
Video game graphics will continue to evolve, combined with new technologies that will fully realize game experiences like LA Noire in a way that brings living, breathing virtual characters to life that look human. “We’re not there yet, but we will cross the uncanny valley,” said Edmondson. “Games touch people in all different ways, but with more realistic characters who also behave like we do, game experiences will evolve.” Today, the technology is just starting to open the door for this technology, but a decade from now, the perfect storm of interaction will arrive.
Games Will Make You Happy
In the future, your game console will become your friend. Kinect already knows your name and your gaming likes and dislikes. In 10 years time, game consoles will know a lot more about you. “It’d be nice to think that we can form a map of the player, including real-time data like heart rate and facial expressions,” said Hocking. “Once you have this type of information, games can learn the emotional state of the player deliver an experience to change that emotional state.” IF you’re said, turn on your PlayStation 4 (or 5) and let your console make you feel happy again.
Single-Player Gaming Will End
n today’s connected world, cooperative and online gaming already rule the day. But Cerny believes unconnected single-player gameplay will vanish from the gaming landscape in as little as three years time. “With Facebook and the explosion of mobile and social games, I don’t think that will last,” said Cerny. Instead, game experiences will blend other players into the mix, even beyond traditional co-op play. Cerny pointed to Demon Souls as a good early example, where players saw the ghosts of other players who had died haunt their game experience.
Games Will School You
Serious games are already a huge category in the video game industry, as everyone from the government to educators to corporations turn to interactive instructions. Hocking believes the future of education is in video games. “I’m excited about the potential of bringing 3D together with augmented reality in a headset that we combine together to bring 3D objects into the real world to bring perfect collision and occlusion in real world,” said Hocking. This type of technology will open up all types of entertainment-based, as well as educational, possibilities for one-to-one instructions and interactions. “Moving forward, there are massive opportunities to educate as well as entertain people with games.”
2D Gaming Will Become Retro (as in stereoscopic 3D games on 3D screens vs normal 2D screens)
These days, we’re seeing many developers providing an homage to the 8-bit and 16-bit era of gaming with new experiences that are also nostalgic. With over 50 3D games on the market today from Sony and 100s more coming, panelists agreed that 3D isn’t going away. Yoshida said in the near future, game studios will be able to create games and have someone else turn them into 3D experiences. Hocking said not every game should be in 3D. Santiago believes that in the future, we’ll see retro non-stereoscopic games released from independent studios.
Virtual Reality
The promise of virtual reality from the '80s will finally be fulfilled, but in a different way. The advances in 3D technology, performance capture and head tracking will converge and open up new opportunities for interactivity. “Gamers will be able to create objects holographically and sculpt things with our hands, opening up fascinating new one-to-one interactions,” said Hocking. At the same time, advances in AI will open up more interaction with game characters. “Experiences will go behind Hollywood movies, where AI characters will not only be able to talk directly to the player, but they’ll be able to show them an object and have them interact with it,” added Hocking.
