TOP 2020 GAMING TRENDS

2020 Trends in Gaming

A new year and a new decade means everyone is looking at predictions for their year. Gamers are no different. As 2020 starts up and gamers look ahead at their year, there are several key gaming trends to keep an eye on.

Console War: Xbox Series X vs PlayStation 5

Some things don’t change, and console wars are one of them. It’s difficult to imagine much else dominating the gaming trend scene when Sony and Microsoft release new hardware. The console wars are in full swing again with Microsoft’s unveiling of the Xbox Series X and Sony’s PlayStation 5. Both consoles are scheduled to release in Holiday 2020 and are competing directly for dominance once again.

While a number of details are still in the air over price points, available games, and some specs, the gaming community is already buzzing to learn more about the two consoles. Both consoles are including backwards compatibility and are aimed at answering gamers’ requests for more access to great games and high-quality resolution for them.

Emphasis on Cross-play

Almost on the opposite end of the impending console war is the developers’ focus on increasing cross-platform games. More games are being developed for multiple platforms at a time or for even allowing players to play with others who own completely different hardware than they do.

In 2019, Epic Games’ Fortnite launched cross-play to allow gamers across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch to all play matches together. While the introduction of cross-play has come with a few bugs to work out, gamers have responded positively to the inclusion and more developers are working toward this feature in upcoming games for 2020.

Increase in VR and AR Games

While virtual reality and augmented reality have been part of the gaming scene for several years now, the number of games being developed for VR and AR are only increasing. Games for virtual reality are becoming increasingly smooth and more life-like, allowing for more immersive experiences as developers can create more believable worlds, movements, and interactions. Additions to the VR roster, such as Half-Life: Alyx, will also bring a larger spotlight to virtual reality as a viable option for creating new gaming experiences and more intriguing franchise entries.

In the world of augmented reality, more franchises are following in Pokemon and Pokemon Go’s footsteps. While virtual reality seems to be the focus between the two for much of the gaming world, augmented reality is still drawing in series like Harry Potter and Walking Dead with other companies interested in following as well.

Cloud Gaming

In fall 2019, Google launched Google Stadia, their cloud gaming service aimed at giving players access to game libraries to stream on mobile devices without the need of expensive consoles and hardware. In order to draw players closer to Stadia and its no-download promises, Google has announced that they will be adding 120 indie game titles to their library in 2020.

While Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft have implemented their own subscription services, Google Stadia has taken the next step in creating the Stadia library. Microsoft’s Project xCloud is also supposed to release sometime this year as well, though the specific date is still hazy.

Out of all of the upcoming gaming trends for 2020, cloud gaming is the one that most people have their eyes on and is certainly the one most likely to change how millions play. Check out our other entertainment features here.

Contributed by Mallory Kessen.