So far, this decade has been one of stellar growth and development for the gaming industry. 2020 kicked things off with a bang when the impact of global lockdowns saw consumers connect with digital entertainment and the gaming realm on a huge scale. The industry has achieved major advances in technology in the span of just a few years and some truly unforgettable gaming experiences have been unleashed. 

While the popularity of gaming has yet to dim, 2023 was nevertheless an interesting year for the industry. Yes, we saw a number of record-breaking games being released, including Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and it was a great year for accessibility, but there were also some major lows in the form of the thousands of layoffs happening throughout gaming companies. However, with a fresh new year now in full swing, let’s look ahead to the positive developments in store for 2024 in Canada and across the globe. 

The Canada Hustle team talked to Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, CEO of Online Games, about the key trends and technological advancements in the gaming sector. Here is what he said:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if we witness a proliferation of games that fully use VR and AR to transport players into virtual worlds. Several game developers have already released their own AR games and many more VR games are being released every year.

As technological progress marches on, the accessibility and affordability of these immersive technologies are bound to increase. This expansion will unlock fresh opportunities for gamers from diverse backgrounds to immerse themselves in captivating virtual experiences.

Furthermore, I’m happy to see how the growth of cloud gaming services is actually changing how people access games. Players just have to subscribe to cloud gaming platforms and they can now indulge in top-tier gaming experiences without having to buy pricey gaming hardware. 

They can seamlessly stream AAA titles to their preferred devices even with low specs. They don’t have to worry about experiencing minimal latency and optimal convenience. 

This democratization of gaming accessibility guarantees that everyone can effortlessly access and enjoy the latest and most exceptional games.

As cloud gaming platforms evolve and enhance their services, we can anticipate a surge in gaming content availability and the cultivation of a more inclusive gaming community on a global scale.”

The Most Anticipated Games 

Whatever else is going on in the gaming sectors, each year brings a new batch of releases to look forward to. Over 50 new titles are slated to be hitting the market in 2024, from mobile apps to premium console titles. Here are some of the most anticipated: 

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong

With a confirmed release date of February 16th, this much-loved Game Boy Advance title is officially making its way to the Nintendo Switch. Although set to be fully in keeping with the 2004 original, Mario vs. Donkey Kong will feature some much-needed updates like the brand-new co-op play. 

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

Exclusively available on the PlayStation 5 from February 29th, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is no doubt the most exciting addition to the popular franchise this year. The second stand-alone title in Square Enix’s reimagining of the hit series, FF7 Rebirth continues to follow the ongoing trials of the unassuming Cloud. 

The Final Fantasy content doesn’t end at Rebirth this year, though. Final Fantasy 14 Online, complete with two expansions and A Realm Reborn rework will be hitting the Xbox Series X by spring. Later in the year, a brand-new expansion for FF14, Dawntrail, will bring a plethora of new gaming content to the PC, PS4/5, and Apple Macs. 

We interviewed Colt Agar, Organic Marketing Lead at Red Stag Fulfillment, about the future of gaming industry. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

“The gaming industry will continue to grow and evolve in different ways and areas as we head into 2025 and beyond, but there’s special attention on AI in game development, with its ability to influence and transform the gaming experience based on player choices and decisions.

If you ask me, I’m looking forward to open world and RPG games such as GTA VI where such technology will first have its chance to fully shine and display its transformative effect on the player’s gaming experience.”

iGaming in Canada Update

This year, it will be two years since Ontario’s provincial government introduced its landmark legislation to establish a regulatory framework for iGaming. The sector, which encompasses online real-money casino gaming, poker, and sports betting, had previously been accessible across Canada via offshore gaming platforms. But, this new regulation soon laid the groundwork for widespread growth and change in the iGaming space throughout the country. 

Since the creation of the iGO in April 2022, the market has welcomed 47 licensed operators and launched 71 gaming and betting websites. This has ensured that players get access to high-quality games, such as the latest and greatest online slots titles, and can play them in provably fair, independently audited platforms that have stringent regulations in terms of customer security and data protection. As a result, digital casinos brought in over $400 million during the quarter ended September 2023 alone. It’s estimated that there are now in excess of 1.6 million active player accounts in Canada, sustaining a burgeoning industry that generated $1.4 billion in revenue last year.

Liam Doherty, the founder of Hexeum.net, talked to the Canada Hustle team about the key trends and technological advancements in the gaming sector. Here is what he had to say:

“Recent unveilings, such as Disney’s ‘HoloTile Floor’—a cutting-edge platform that allows users to essentially walk in place in all directions—have excited many.

Although this technology has numerous applications, every gamer who watched the reveal had one thing on their mind: a new era in gaming.

This technology, a core concept from blockbuster hits like ‘Ready Player One’ and with a name that nods to the “Holodeck” from Star Trek, points to a future where gaming is not just played but lived.

As the AR/VR/XR/MR markets continue to expand at exponential rates, the integration of these technologies into gaming could redefine the entire landscape.

We are not only going to see gaming become more immersive and feel more like reality, but we are also potentially looking at a whole new category of game genres made possible only by advancements in these technologies.”

Gaming Hardware News 

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True to form, the industry will be spawning some pretty impressive gaming hardware in 2024. Right now, Artificial Intelligence is the watchword with major manufacturers like ASUS jumping on the trend. The latest models in its ROG, TUF Gaming, and Zenbook lines are all being kitted out with the latest AI-ready chips, processors, and GPUs from Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA. 

Speaking of processors, AMD looks set to own the budget gaming space in 2024 thanks to its new Ryzen 8000G CPUs. Recently showcased at CES in Las Vegas this January, the new APUs feature up to eight Zen 4 CPU cores and a Radeon 780M mobile chip capable of hitting 60 fps (frames per second) in even the most demanding 1080p titles including Cyberpunk 2077. With the range topping at $330, these chips have the potential to significantly lower the financial barriers to entry for gaming on the PC.  

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 16, 2024 by Saket