As we know, modern games are becoming increasingly popular and more interactive. Despite the annual market growth, self-isolation has given it additional acceleration and motivation. Today, games are no longer just entertainment – they are becoming a new platform for communication, earnings, transforming business, the education system, and gradually blurring the boundaries between virtuality and reality.

New technologies predetermine the main trends in the gaming industry. Among them are new challenges for mobile developers and more. Let’s discuss it in more detail. 

Users get even more opportunities to make money on games

Gaming is one of the main hobbies of the new generation. Over 2.5 billion people play video games. For many users, making money on withdrawal games has become a real way to replenish their wallets. In this area, investments are practically not required, and the average income of a player can be really impressive.

The gaming industry offers many options for earning money. Here are just a few of them:

• Game streaming – broadcasting the gameplay to an interested audience. The streamer’s income consists of donations from viewers, payments from developers, and advertising contracts.
• Mentoring includes educating gamers through a recorded webinar or a master class. There are quite a few people who want to learn how to play correctly, and they are ready to pay a mentor.
• Cybersport is making money on gaming tournaments. To accept participation in competitions, you need to be a professional gamer. But the income here can be hundreds of thousands.
• Online board games. There is an incredible number of games of all kinds. It is possible to make money on them with no investment or via investing little money. The money won can be withdrawn to the wallet or used to participate in other paid competitions.

Brands continue to use games to create virtual events

Many brands and celebrities continue to use games for promotion and communication with a wide audience. The trend came after the cancellation of concerts and other restrictions related to the pandemic. And the success of collaborations between various companies and music artists has only increased the interest in collaborating with mobile products.

For example, 27 million viewers watched rapper Travis Scott’s Fortnite performances in 2020, and in total, the musician’s five online concerts gathered an audience of 48.8 million.

One can implement such partnerships in the form of a short-term event (like a Travis Scott concert) or in the form of a long-term collaboration with an application (for example, measures, the collaboration of rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine with the game Bead Blade).

Such solutions are beneficial for both parties. Brands get new ways to promote their product, and developers get the opportunity to attract new audiences to their games.

Communication turns into game reality

Virtual games have long ceased to be just entertainment. Today they are full-fledged communication platforms that can compete with Zoom and other special tools. They hold working conferences and lessons.

For example, British illustrator Vivienne Schwartz said on her Twitter page that she and her colleagues use the Red Dead game for work meetings. “It’s nice to sit by the fire and discuss projects when the wolves howl in the night,” Vivienne says. “Besides, at the end of the meeting, you don’t have to smile awkwardly at the camera while you’re looking for the shutdown button.” Everyone just gets on their horses and goes about their business. “

Games are transforming the education system

Two hours of video games per week significantly improve communication, adaptability, and resourcefulness skills, thereby increasing work capacity and learning ability. Scientists from the University of Glasgow made this conclusion in 2017. Their research has shown that games develop critical and reflective thinking commonly referred to as desirable qualities in graduates.

Also, teachers have adopted video games. The first in the field of the practical application of gaming in education was a school teacher from San Diego, Charles Cumber. In 2020, he offered a VR geometry lesson in an updated version of Half Life, showing the world that even brutal VR reality can serve a good purpose – education. 

Charles Cumber created a new trend, which was picked up by his Moscow colleague, teacher Vadim Kondaratsev. He spoke to the masters of the Moscow Aviation Institute in the same Half Life location during a 20-minute lecture on the basics of discrete dynamic sequences.

Obviously, in the near future, games can transform the existing education system, which is simply incredible.