Video game industries move at an amazingly fast pace these days, and if you don’t stop every now and then to recognize what’s happening you might not realize it at all. There are always trends in these industries, and usually, they’re taking us forward, in one way or another, to bigger, better, and more readily available forms of gaming. And this is as true today as at any point in the relatively short history of video gaming. 

Given this, it seems only appropriate to take an overarching look at some of the most significant trends happening in gaming of late. 


Battle Royale Games

For those who might not be familiar with the specific term Battle Royale, this is the style of gaming that’s been popularized by specific games like PUBG and Fortnite, on both mobile and console devices. It’s a style that’s taken the world by storm for a few different reasons: games restart frequently, beginners feel welcome, looting and scavenging are mixed with a standard combat multiplayer format, and the de facto format of playing to the last survivor is a thrill. Right now this is a newly popular genre dominated by two games, but the popularity is so high it’s a virtual guarantee there will be more in this category when all is said and done. 

Episodic Series

Video games divided up into episodes have been around for a few years now, but the trend clearly isn’t going anywhere. Take Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey for example. It’s arguably the biggest video game release of the current fall season, and already post-launch details are being discussed including various add-on episodes. In a way, these are substitutes for direct sequels for games, and they allow developers to keep generating interest, publicity, and revenue long after a game’s initial release. 


Prestige Indie Games

It’s impossible to exactly stipulate what makes for a prestige indie game. However, we can thank the never-ending growth of mobile gaming for this being a legitimate trend. While any number of big, wealthy developers have gotten in on mobile games as well it’s often smaller studios or even teams of just a few engineers that come up with the biggest and best mobile games. Monument Valley, Clash Of Clans, The Room, and several other major hits have all come from indie groups, and their success, one would assume, will only lead to more independent people and companies giving it a go. 

Casino Games On The Go

Casino games have existed in electronics for a long time, and there’s been a steady trajectory toward better and better quality. As of a few years ago, you could engage in multiplayer card games and tournaments, digital slots, roulette, jackpots, and just about everything else you could get at a real casino. Now, however, more than ever before, these games are also available on the go. Casino activities that are best for on-the-go gaming now include blackjack, video slots, poker tournaments, and even bingo - whereas a few years ago we were mostly limited in this area to cheap slots and single-player poker. We appear to be in the middle of this trend, and particularly with mobile gaming starting to blend with AR and VR, there’s more to see where mobile casino activity is concerned. 

Augmented Reality

To be fair, virtual and augmented reality is both responsible for some major current and forthcoming trends in gaming. But some analyst tab AR over VR  simply for its versatility and convenience. Already available through mobile devices and soon to be experienced through a whole range of new phone-partnered google devices in the coming years, AR may ultimately play a bigger role in the gaming world than its wholly versatile counterpart.