The world of video gaming has progressed considerably over the last few decades. There’s an interactive, graphical experience that will appeal to players of every preference. If you’re looking for casual fun, you might consider online bubble games. If you want something more involved and immersive, then an RPG or an adventure game might appeal.
Depending on what you’re looking for, the investment in new hardware might be worthwhile. But exactly what kind of tech should gamers be looking at?
Next-Gen Consoles and Gaming PCs
If you’d like to play the latest triple-A titles, complete with graphical niceties like ray-tracing, AI-powered upscaling, and buttery-smooth framerates, then you’ll probably need to invest in a modern gaming console or PC. In the latter case, you might expect to spend upwards of a thousand pounds – and that’s before you even factor in the cost of peripherals and displays.
High-Performance Accessories and Peripherals
One aspect of the gaming experience that’s often neglected is the input into the system itself. If you don’t enjoy the feeling of pressing buttons, moving control sticks, and clicking your mouse, then it’s unlikely that you’ll get the best possible gaming experience.
Mice and keyboards really matter for PC gaming, while the control pad is essential on a console. You might find that there are specialised options that really suit your style of play, or the size of your hands. Be sure to look for these!
Ultra-Fast Internet and Cloud Gaming Support
Many modern games rely on an internet connection. If you’re going to play high-intensity competitive games, like Overwatch, then you’ll need a rock-solid link with the server. But even offline gamers can benefit from a strong internet connection. If you have access to a gigabit line, after all, you’ll be able to download your chosen game in a matter of minutes, rather than hours.
Immersive Audio and Visual Setups
We’ve already touched upon the importance of input. But what about output? After all, there’s no point in owning high-powered PC hardware if you’re not able to create a pleasing image. For this reason, getting hold of the best monitor available can make a huge difference to your gameplay experience. Look at the panel technology, the refresh rate, and more subjective criteria, like the amount of blur you experience.
If you want the best possible immersion, then you might consider getting into the world of VR. Bear in mind, however, that you’ll need to drive two displays at more than a hundred frames per second to create a compelling experience.
Finally, there’s audio – which is something that many gamers neglect. A surround-sound system might help elevate an immersive, narrative-driven game. If you’re playing online with friends, then a good set of headphones and a microphone can make all the difference.
