Looking forward, 2024 is set to be another year that proves the ever-growing dominance of video games in the world of pop culture. Major waves were made throughout 2023, resulting in numerous changes that will change the industry games for good. But what will gaming look like in 2024? What games and hardware can we expect in the coming years? As we speed into the new year, let’s take a quick moment to consider the future we should expect and the legacy of last year.
AI in Games, New Systems, and Big Games
2024 is bound to be an interesting year, especially given how busy 2023 was. Without a doubt, the industry will continue to improve, especially given the immense power of tools like Unreal Engine 5. It will also be interesting to see how the gaming world adapts to the rise of AI use, as some view it as scandalous while others see the potential for a creative explosion. Given the rapid growth of various technologies and software of this ilk, proper implementation could change the nature of gaming for good.
As always, the rumor mill is abuzz, with guesses and gossip being pressed out by the moment. However, not all is hogwash, as several of these rumors are likely to pass. Hefty industry chatter states that Nintendo will be releasing a successor to the Switch in 2024, potentially aiming for a $400 price point. With any luck, they’ll call it the “Super Nintendo Switch”. That’s not the only company looking to unleash new gaming consoles in 2024, as various leaks point to an all-digital Xbox Series X that might be launching in 2024 as well.
Despite the onslaught of last year, 2024 is guaranteed to have some killer games. Dragon’s Dogma 2 might just be another cult classic, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will be here before you know it, and much more. Xbox is making a renewed push with first-party games, including Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, Sensua’s Saga: Hellblade II, and more, all coming out this year. If that wasn’t enough, keep a look out for Hades 2, Little Nightmares III, Princess Peach: Showtime, Rise of the Ronin, and a little game called Star Wars Outlaws.
The Games Industry Went Full Throttle in 2023
2023 was a year for the gaming history books, both for casual players and invested elite gamers. As triple-A blockbusters finally hit store shelves, several major companies underwent considerable restructuring, and a crazy year unfolded. On the industry side, Microsoft finally acquired Activision/Blizzard after years of legal back-and-forth. For a whopping $68.7 BILLION dollars, Microsoft now owns all Activision and Blizzard properties, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and more. Basically, Game Pass subscribers should have a lot to look forward to in 2024.
Sony wasn’t slouching in 2023 either, as they released the PlayStation Portal on November 14, once again dipping their toe in the handheld market. The device, which streams your PlayStation 5 content via remote play, received rave reviews and sold out almost immediately. Speaking of, Sony’s flagship console got an update with the PlayStation 5 Slim, which will replace older models moving forward. To top things off, the PlayStation 5 also hit the 50 million units sold milestone, continuing to outpace the competition.
On the software side of things, 2023 was an onslaught of non-stop bangers. Gems like Resident Evil 4 and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom kept us amped in the early months, while titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Starfield kept the ball rolling into the autumn. The roller coast simply never stopped, with console exclusives like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Super Mario Bros. Wonder leading into a wonderful holiday season of games. In 2023, the games industry generated $365 BILLION globally, dwarfing every other form of entertainment in existence.
Overall, gaming in 2024 should be exciting, with anticipated new titles, blossoming new technologies, and major foundational shifts in industry practices. So far, 2024 is off to a great start, but who knows what the rest of the year holds? For now, enjoy the games and let the good times roll!
