5G is already here, and along with solving dropped calls and spotty coverage issues, 5G can bring a new era of gaming, but it needs to be something new and fresh to the industry. We cannot keep reusing the same technology created before the mobile broadband era. That must not be the scope of our desire; we have to look beyond. This is the grand 5G era, so we must empower our developers to leverage that to create the next-gen experiences. It could be by providing a 5G cloud, having both 5G native and edge native. Developers need a platform to build new digital experiences, reduce gaps beyond human perception and process game data in real-time.

Gaming “With Network Play”

 

Let’s be honest while saying it was Sony PlayStation that made many of us fall in love with video games. It took the gaming industry by storm, particularly when Sony PlayStation 2 arrived with the new network adapter card. 

 

PS2 network adapter card’s original product marketing stated, “The World at your fingertips. Tackle, shoot, frag, and outwit anyone, anywhere, anytime. With the Network Adaptor for PlayStation 2, just about anything is possible. Start your own rivalry across the nation with trash-talking opponents you’ve never met. Experience the best in live competition. No two games are ever alike.”

 

It brought the amazing formula of connectivity and gameplay. Gamers were enjoying competitive play with organized events and leagues. It made them addicted to online play, and “with network play” became three fascinating words they were extremely fond of when looking out for new games.

 

However, that promise of playing anywhere and anytime was somehow unrealistic. Carrying PlayStation 2 around to play it “anywhere” and “anytime” was typically possible when you were not up to doing anything. 

 

Can 5G Gaming Bring “The World At Your Fingertips...”?

 

When I envisage 5G and gaming, I think back to those PlayStation 2 games that promised “with network play” to open up new worlds and experiences. Now, in 2022, every game development company should see 5G with that same vision and sense of opportunity. Just like developers did in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 network adapter card, creating new experiences. 

 

It can create the same “wow” moment for this generation with “the world at your fingertips” gaming vision. 5G and gaming combined have the great potential to do it, but we need to get it in the hands of developers in a meaningful way. There’s no need to wait for 5G standalone, even non-stand alone with advanced computing can give a great kick-off. Improved bandwidth and lower latency can provide an enhanced quality of service (QoS), which can turn into a better multiplayer experience or improved cloud gaming delivery. 

But again, how do they deliver that “wow” moment to the gamers? Something they have never experienced before. What is the fascinating event or new experience that is enabled or introduced? 

 

5G is not capable enough for that revolutionary gaming on its own. 5G gaming platforms are required to reduce lag beyond the human perception, without limiting the player pool. In fact, they must widen the proximity restrictions of who can play. Developers need to develop a platform that can process more game events in just a single “tick”. Data processed closer to gamers can help developers create games outfitted with new and richer experiences. It should be derived from insights generated from gameplay events in real-time. 

 

The 5G era of gaming needs to be much broader and cannot be limited to lower latency play. It should be made the standard that all future mobile gaming platforms have to beat.

 

5G Gives All New Hope... 

At present, games are supported by simple client-server-based architectures. 5G is supposed to support a polyglot approach to gaming traffic protocols. It should provide a transport layer that transforms game architectures into an event-driven architecture. This will enable game developers to add new competencies to the game, in a responsive manner while reducing complexities and operational costs.

 

A 5G database must allow game developers to control historical and real-time environments. This data will enable developers to integrate rich insights, personalization, recommendations, and intelligence into the games they create. The streaming process will provide rich leaderboards and player statistics, also identify popular patterns and trends in real-time from their game worlds.

 

5G will support serverless functions and stacked game logic. Artificial Intelligence will play a key role to enhance the gaming experience. Developers will have the ability to take action or make changes in real-time on the game ecosystem.

 

You can understand it like, more customized matchmaking systems created on real-time data and event processing that reduce queue times. Developers will recognize players’ real-time movement within the mobile network and ensure they gain the best experience. This is just the beginning, with the right amount of data and imagination, anything is possible.

 

The Future of 5G Gaming – AR, VR And More

Let’s have a look at the market potential of the gaming industry. In 2020, consoles generated $33B, PC $40B, and mobiles $85B revenue. According to tentative data for 2021, revenue generated by mobile is $93B, PC $36B and consoles $50B. The types of games launched has a lot of impact on the revenue figures. These days we have mostly free-to-play games. They are battle royale and massively multiplayer. The most important point, they are on mobile devices. Also, we have reached far beyond traditional gameplay, there are new in-game-world experiences. So, the statistics for 2022 and further seems promising with no slowing down. 

 

This is why hopes are high from 5G and game developers. In fact, 5G mobile network operators might take a leading role in crafting next-gen gaming technology. We can expect online e-sports, interactive gaming, e-Commerce, anti-cheat, abuse-detection, streaming, vast multiplayer worlds and augmented realities into 5G powered games. Playing anytime and anywhere can be experienced with games that can be accessed across the 5G network. Games would be powered by the real ability to access, process, and act on real-time data. And, it's all within our reach. 5G has the great potential to bring back that “wow” moment for mobile gaming.