Emerging Possibilities

We find ourselves a long way from the days of the first text-based adventure games and simple knobs of the Pong console. Looking at the technological options we currently have, where do you anticipate gaming technology heading in the future? What will become the dominant platform for development and how will players interface with their games?

Even though AR/VR is still very much in the hype phase, I see VR combined with AI/ML bringing the highest degree of change to gaming. AI can be used to evaluate performance and adapt settings to increase challenge, interest, and flow-ability. It can also be used to provide unique conversations with unique characters giving literally one-of-a-kind experiences to a player or student.

As prices come down, the affordability will increase the uptake and usage of VR. This will allow more schools to be able to take advantage of Google Expeditions, Assassin’s Creed’s Discovery Mode, and new and improved VR experiences. I expect to see more games exposing their engines and creative talents to the education realm giving them both exposure and, very likely, grants and donations for additional development.

However, this does not exclude non-VR gaming systems from being successful, as Ready Player One suggests. There is a huge following for indie 2D side scrollers that make games like Starbound very successful in their own right.

Siemens’ (2005) learning theory of Connectivism is paramount regardless of the direction of technology. The social aspect of gaming will cement knowledge and understanding into wisdom.

References

Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved from http://202.116.45.236/mediawiki/resources/2/2005_siemens_Connectivism_A_LearningTheoryForTheDigitalAge.pdf