Here in the digital age, each year brings with it a series of new technology trends that will either fade away before the twelve months are out or go on to define the directions that digital life will take in the future.
Take the mobile industry, for instance. Ten years ago, we were only just beginning to experience the power of mobile tech, smartphones weren’t as commonplace as they are now, and those early versions of mobile games seem prehistoric when compared to titles like Genshin Impact.
More recently, cloud technology has revolutionised our business practices and how we play video games. Similarly, smart homes, electric vehicles and the Internet of Things have all made modern life as easy as possible.
As we progress through this next decade, what are the definitive trends that will set the direction for 2023 and beyond?
Second-Gen Blockchain Gaming
Gaming on the blockchain has been a core segment of the cryptocurrency sector, with play-to-earn (P2E) attracting consistently high levels of both investment and players.
P2E gaming is closely related to the iGaming sector, which encompasses casino and poker gaming and has been a burgeoning gaming industry segment since the 2010s. The advent of real money gaming platforms like PokerStars has meant that players across the globe have been able to access several digital variants of games like Texas Hold ’em, as well as comprehensive resources and learning guides. This increased access is now echoed in the way that blockchain gaming is making crypto more accessible to a broader demographic of consumers.
So, with ordinary players now being rewarded with digital assets in blockchain titles, what’s next for the segment?
Top of the list for most developers in the sector will be to improve game quality. Until now, the features of blockchain titles have been enough to attract a consistent stream of players. However, in order to keep gamers engaged for the long term and reach new audiences, blockchain titles need to be able to compete with those released on consoles and PC in terms of high-quality visuals and compelling gameplay.
Super Apps Will Take Centre Stage
As mentioned at the start of this article, here in the digital era, mobile technology has emerged as a dominant force. Just look at the success of mobile gaming: the segment has consistently held the largest market share of global revenues for the past five years, beating the PC and console sectors combined. The latest generation of smartphones is comprised of multi-functional digital devices, making it appear as though mobile development has reached its peak.
However, a new era of mobile is upon us as the introduction of super apps has begun to disrupt the status quo.
Super apps are, as the name suggests, a supercharged hybrid of app functionality, a digital ecosystem and even a platform for the integration of third-party mini-apps. The goal of a super app is to provide users with a ‘one-stop shop’, consolidating or entirely replacing multiple apps of different use cases.
According to tech analysis firm Gartner, super apps are one of the top strategic technology trends for 2023. The firm has predicted that over 50% of the world’s population will be using super apps by 2027. In 2023, we’ll likely witness Big Tech names like Microsoft revealing the aces up their sleeves.
The Metaverse Becomes Reality
By 2030, experts predict that the metaverse will contribute $5 trillion to the global economy. 2023 could prove to be a defining year that will shape the direction of metaverse technologies for the next decade.
For example, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology will continue to be prioritised as key technologies to support different aspects of the metaverse. While both AR and VR have gained traction as gaming advancements, the two will play a key role in shaping the corporate and work aspects of the metaverse. 2023 will likely see more immersive meeting environments being held that will act as a way for businesses to brainstorm, collaborate and co-create.
Several platforms for digital projects in the metaverse are already in the works, with NVIDIA and Microsoft being two of the big tech companies with products currently in development.
