Did you know that the gaming industry has been a significant driver of technological advancements for decades? Indeed, it has. And many of these advancements have had rather wide-ranging impacts that certainly go well beyond gaming itself.
The next time someone disses gaming, always have these five major tech advancements, all originating from gaming, in your back pocket.
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), Artificial Intelligence
Imagine a computer world without critical GPU capabilities? We’d hardly be where we are in so many industries, including Movieland. GPUs help computers handle multiple and simultaneous operations which is critical for #d modeling, video editing, and even some “sciency” simulations.
GPUs also play a major role in the development and operation of artificial intelligence (A).
Yes, its possible that without the gaming industry’s historical ingenuity, we’d not be having any discussions about AI. Hey, for some of ya’ll, that might make you happy and WE GET IT. But it remains, the gaming industry drove technological changes that helped foster an environment that built large language models. And that’s insane.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
We talk about this tech all the time around these parts. But it was gaming that pushed the development of both VR and AR to the forefront of tech development. This technology has extended far beyond the gaming industry into vital fields such as medicine where doctors are trained on it. Its also been critical in the shopping industry allowing us to try things on virtually. VR and AR continue to evolve, promising even more applications in various fields.
Game Engines
Game engines are a big deal. You may not hear much about them, but their impact on the gaming industry and beyond is substantial.
Popular game engines such as Unreal Engine and Unity have literally revolutionized filmmaking, architectural visualization, and virtual production. These engines provide powerful tools for creating realistic environments as well as simulations. They’ve become invaluable for many diverse industries. Filmmakers typically use game engines for pre-visualization purposes.
Cloud Gaming and Game Streaming Services
Cloud gaming technology is uber popular these days. But where would it be without the gaming industry’s push?
Cloud gaming now has implications for broader cloud computing applications, such as remote work, education, and other forms of digital content consumption.
Cloud services also extend to TV shows and document services and so much more.
Now, this isn’t to say that cloud gaming is without notable controversies. Many gamers feel this ushered in a place where no one truly owns a game anymore. And that may be true to a greater degree. We’ve traded game ownership for convenience.
Advanced Input Devices
The gaming industry has pioneered the development of advanced input devices, including motion controllers, haptic feedback devices, and even brain-computer interfaces (BCIs).
These technologies vastly enhance user interaction not only with games, but also with a diversity of computing platforms.
One example is motion controllers that have found their way into helping people with physical therapy by simulating exercises.
Haptic feedback is more than just relaying explosion vibes during COD, its alos used to help in virtual training environments to simulate real world experiences.
All of these advancements combine to highlight the gaming industry’s role as a catalyst for technological innovation. And things don’t seem to be slowing down as the gaming industry continues to thrive and evolve.