How gaming has changed.

Technology has come a long way in the last few decades, advancing as fast as you go through levels in your favourite game, and each breakthrough has influenced the way we play. Take a stroll down memory lane to see the key stages, and discover what the next level has in store. Press play to start!

From coin-ops to consoles

Level 1: we’re back in the 70s, in the amusement arcades where electro-mechanical machines are ruling the roost and revolutionising traditional gaming. Here, board games are brought to life, in physical form like Pinball and early digital form such as Pac-Man. These arcades are social hubs, and will continue to draw crowds until the late ‘90s when home video-game consoles hit the scene.

Old-school arcades aren’t history yet. You can play your favourite slot games and more on websites and apps dedicated to reviving these formats for the 21^st Century.

The technology leap

Level 2: the 90s have arrived, and with them the early development of home video consoles which can store data internally instead of relying on disks. Earlier models had just a few megabytes of data, compared to modern machines which top at 2 TB – two million MB!

As hardware advances, so do graphics. Games go from having simple 2D visuals to rich 3D scenes, able to run the likes of fast fights and chases with reasonable load times. Fast-forward to the present day and this has progressed to massive open-world titles with highly realistic imagery where you can wander freely.

Remote socialising

Level 3: the invention of the internet. Like that boss that took hours to beat, this win is opening up a whole new world! From the turn of the century, physical presence is no longer required for group games. Individuals can challenge and collaborate with friends via connected video games, from the comfort of home. This culminates in the rise of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games which can host thousands of players at once.

Gaming accessories are developed to enhance this connectivity, like wireless Bluetooth headphones with microphones, and portable consoles get a revamp so gamers can play on the go while still communicating with their fellow players.

Convenience gaming

Level 4: we’ve arrived at the present day, where you no longer need dedicated consoles to play digital games. Convenience is king, with a huge variety of games available on websites and apps accessible via our smartphones and powered by 5G mobile.

This has led to a casual gaming trend, and a rise in short-play formats such as online casino games that can be easily picked up and put down when the mood strikes. The word ‘gamer’ has taken on a whole new meaning as the pastime has become more accessible, with many of us identifying as such even without owning consoles.