Video games play-test emerging tech

The Future. It turns out video games are the natural incubator for the newest innovations in tech. Why? Gaming allows tech research and development to occur in the service of providing fun — it’s the engine that helps keep people engaged with the story they’re playing. It’s possible if something doesn’t catch on with the gaming community, it may not have much success with the general public.

Fun factory
Bloomberg’s Vlad Savov maintains the biggest leaps in consumer tech start in the world of video games.

• The computer chips used for most AI applications were perfected by Nvidia, after players called for more beautiful graphics in games.
• The idea of the metaverse was popularized by games such as World of Warcraft, The Sims, and Fortnite.
• Gaming is also why the livestreaming platform Twitch took off — people love watching Call of Duty.

But as Savov points out, not every emerging technology has been universally embraced by gamers — just look at crypto, Web3, and VR. That’s not to say they won’t still have their moments. But so far, there hasn’t yet been a use case that’s made them worthwhile additions to gameplay.

Now, all eyes are on AR.