Video game trends in 2024 revolutionize classic games we love and bring them into the future, with new technology to look forward to. Competitive, team-based arena games, like Playgig (in-development) remain the most popular to watch on streaming platform, Twitch. Additionally, this year, the gaming industry continues to evolve with fresh trends and innovations that are shaping the future of video games such as mixed reality, new handheld devices, and Web3 gaming.

Let’s explore the newest, exciting trends in gaming, including popularity among streaming, competitive games and eSports, video game remakes, technological innovations, and blockchain gaming.

Competitive Video Games & eSports: Still Best Trending on Streams

Competitive gaming remains a dominant force within the video game industry, with eSports maintaining its stronghold on streaming platforms. This trend highlights the ongoing appeal of eSports and the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) subgenre of gaming. Popular games like League of Legends, VALORANT, Rust, Counter-Strike, Dota 2, Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege consistently rank among the top 10 most-watched games on Twitch.

It’s no surprise as the eSports scene has some of the most dedicated gaming communities, with commitments to practicing for both local competitions and international tournaments. The excitement surrounding these competitive gaming experiences, backed by professional leagues and significant active user engagement, illustrates the gaming landscape's love of the PvP and battle royale environments.

Video Game Remakes & Remastered Games: Top Popular Development Trend

The trend of classic games rejuvenated through high-quality remakes and remastered versions, continues to be a development trend by game companies in the Role-Playing Game (RPG) genre. Recent remakes include Persona 3 Reload by Atlus and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth by Square Enix. The original Persona 3 was released on the PlayStation 2 in 2006 as “Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3”, and was extremely popular with JRPG fans long after its remake on the PlayStation Portable. Both the Persona 3 remake and FF7 remake include the latest graphic overhauls of today’s video game generation with new innovative gameplay mechanics and improvements. 

Upcoming remakes and remastered games Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater developed by Konami, The Witcher developed by CD Projekt Red, and The Knights of the Old Republic Remake currently being developed by Saber Interactive. These game developments offer both nostalgia and a fresh twist, making old favorites relevant to new technologies and contemporary audiences. Through enhancing game design with modern graphics and gameplay improvements, developers provide an immersive experience that respects the original games fans love while offering something uniquely current.

eSports World Cup: A New Era for Competitive Gaming

The eSports World Cup is poised to become a landmark event, uniting professional gamers from around the globe to compete for glory and recognition. This tournament not only elevates the status of eSports but also solidifies its position as a mainstream spectator sport. With millions tuning in to watch the action unfold, the World Cup is attracting major sponsorships, lucrative prize pools, and a growing fanbase.

Cross-Platform Play: Connecting Gamers Worldwide

Another notable trend is the growing popularity of cross-platform play. This allows players to compete and collaborate with each other regardless of their chosen gaming platform, fostering a more inclusive and connected gaming community. Popular titles like Fortnite and Rocket League have embraced cross-platform play, paving the way for a more unified gaming experience.

Innovation Gaming With New Technology Developments: XR and Handheld Gaming

Technological advancements are propelling the gaming industry forward, particularly through devices like the Apple Vision Pro. This innovation represents a significant leap in virtual reality, providing users with a more immersive experience that blends physical and digital worlds seamlessly. The inclusion of features such as haptic feedback devices enhances the tactile feedback, making the virtual environments more realistic and engaging.

Additionally, in the blockchain gaming sector, Sui Blockchain's Mysten Labs had just announced a mobile device for Web3 gaming called the SuiPlay0X1, powered by Sui and Playtron. This handheld device is marketed to be able to play "your existing PC and mobile games." The entire Web3 and blockchain gaming space have interesting developments with the potential to bring handheld gaming back to the surface of the industry.

The Games Trending Now, Reflect the Future Development of the Industry

The gaming trends of 2024 reflect a diverse and exciting journey through competitive eSports, nostalgic remakes, cutting-edge technology, and innovative economic models. As we experience rapid advancements in technology and game content, the future of gaming looks vastly different than the previous generation, with endless possibilities to redefine entertainment and interactive media.

Competitive gaming and Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBAs) remain the most popular gaming subgenre among communities. In the RPG subgenre, game companies seem to be spending resources on classic remakes, which is much desired by fans of the series, and newcomers that missed out. In the new blockchain gaming sector, the focus on development is based on play-to-earn mechanics, offering monetary value to players who value time over entertainment. Conclusively, it remains to be seen whether the future of all game development will adopt play-to-earn mechanics, or if this trend will remain just a temporary trend in the market.

Interested in game development news? I’m Bruno Schirch, Founder and CEO of Playgig, dedicated to sharing professional gaming industry insights, updates, and my entrepreneurial journey. Subscribe to my blog in order to stay up-to-date, or join our gaming communities on Discord, Instagram, and X to continue this enriching conversation.

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