The digital gaming community is booming at an unprecedented pace. In fact, analysts currently estimate its value at over $218 billion dollars. This is expected to increase to just under $700 billion dollars by the year 2030. Simply stated, avid gaming enthusiasts will be able to enjoy a bright future.
However, did you ever wonder how the games themselves are manufactured from the ground up? What steps are involved? Why is the process not as straightforward as some have been led to believe? Are there any future trends set to define what we can expect in the coming years? Even if you do not possess a background in programming, the information highlighted below should be quite interesting.
A Vision: The Concept in Question
Even the most cutting-edge console games start with nothing more than a dream. This is when the power of creativity truly comes into play. Whether referring to the incredibly successful Grand Theft Auto franchise, or a casual hand of virtual solitaire, developers must be able to envision some type of “road map” that acts as a rough outline. Once this has been established, the real work can begin.
The Science (and Art) of Coding
In the past, developers would be required to be extremely familiar with popular programming languages. Some of the most common included:
- C++
- Python
- Java
- GML (especially for indie developers)
- Rust
Although this is still the case to a certain extent, the coding process has become much more user-friendly thanks to the help of systems such as Unreal Engine 5. These advanced algorithms can automate many of the tasks that would have otherwise needed to be performed manually. The fact that fewer errors are likely to occur is also a massive benefit in terms of turnaround times, and debugging.
Beta Testing
Let’s now assume that the game has passed the initial development stage. Although this is an accomplishment in and of itself, it would be a mistake to assume that it will soon be hitting the (digital) shelves. Another step involves beta testing. This stage essentially represents a way to work out any bugs that may be present within the code. It is also a means to obtain real-world feedback from a small pool of qualified players. They can offer advice, provide their opinions on what could be improved, and these suggestions can then be placed back into the developmental pipeline. Note that beta testing can sometimes take more time to complete than the coding itself.
The Online Side of the Equation
Now that we have obtained a general understanding of game development, what about platforms that will be accessed online? We can use the incredibly popular live casino genre as another example, and this is when things can become a bit confusing.
Live games are slightly different, programmers need to address additional concerns, such as:
- Network latency and/or buffering issues
- Real-time privacy and security
- The number of users who may be playing at any given time.
- Server infrastructure
- Content updates
In other words, any upgrades or patches will often need to be implemented on the fly, and with as little downtime as possible. This is the reason why the most reputable casinos employ teams of highly trained IT professionals. After all, there would be nothing worse than winning a round of blackjack only for the server to fail before being paid out!
Keeping Up with the Latest Consumer Trends
It is an unfortunate fact that not all games are bound for success. One of the ways in which developers can bend the odds in their favour is to keep abreast of what players seem to want. For instance, retro-themed games such as Half-Life, Fallout, and EarthBound are enjoying a comeback due to the feelings of nostalgia that they tend to evoke. This is particularly the case for players who were born in the so-called “golden age” of gaming (between the late 1980s, and the early 2000s). Other contemporary trends including the presence of non-playable characters (NPCs), the tokenisation of games, and cross-platform gameplay are likewise set to make their presence known in 2026.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
What can we expect from the future of game development? Most experts agree that artificial intelligence represents the next great leap forward. AI will dramatically streamline coding, provide an additional level of inspiration to creators, and offer an even more realistic end-user experience.
We can now see why developing the latest iteration of digital games is far from a simple process. The good news is that everyone can enjoy the results of the hard work mentioned above, and get in on the action.
