Clare Evans

Stories By Clare Evans

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  Gaming

  Gaming By Clare Evans

  10 Mobile Gaming Trends to Watch Out For in 2016

  We may officially be half way through 2016, but there's still plenty more to look forward to in the mobile gaming world. With technology advancing all the time and the fast-paced evolution of mobile gaming, nothing stays still for long. Games – and devices – are becoming more sophisticated by the day, and gamers are increasingly craving a more innovative and immersive experience. Luckily for them, developers are only too happy to oblige and create bigger, better mobile games. As technology drives the industry forward, what are the trends, innovations, and tech-advances in mobile gaming you need to watch out for this year? 1. Simultaneous Game Play Among the biggest announcements at E3 2016 was Microsoft Play Anywhere. This initiative gives players both the Xbox and Windows 10 copy of a game when they buy either one. You can alternate between the console and online playing with ease, and all downloadable content, achievements and even Gamescore is carried over. This concept of simultaneous game play between mobile devices and desktops using the same app or game is set to be a huge trend. People already flit between two devices and the convenience of picking up where you left off on a different device will make games more and more accessible and enjoyable. 2. Growth of Mini-Games In a bid to lessen game fatigue, more and more developers are adding mini-games and secret levels into their apps. These extra or bonus levels boost engagement without the need to download any additional content. This is a huge bonus for gamers, and it's a trend that will grow. Mini games not also work as a tool for retention and engagement. Players will stick with a game to unlock these bonus levels, and continue to play for longer in order to progress in both the mini and main games. 3. More VR Opportunities There's been a huge buzz around virtual reality, especially with the impending launch of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. While the headsets – and computers needed to power them – are still on the pricey side at the moment, mobile gaming will undoubtedly get the VR treatment. Combine virtual reality with both mini-games and simultaneous game play and you've got a hugely immersive, innovative and interactive mobile game that will keep players hooked. Together, these three trends open up huge possibilities and it's very exciting. 4. Much-Improved Graphics Phone game graphics have come a long way since Snake, today competing with PCs and consoles. As mobile game development grows, these graphics are only going to get better. The overall mobile gaming experience, will only get better. As mobile developers compete with game studios, gamers will enjoy apps becoming more and more sophisticated. The challenge comes in making sure you're playing on a device that is supped-up enough to support these improved graphics. 5. Indie Developers Come to the Fore With the market for mobile games growing all the time, indie developers are exploiting the chance to address niche audiences. With the tech more readily available and demand growing all the time, independent games are hitting the market – and they're proving to be a hit. What's more, developers and gamers are coming together and utilising crowdfunding to bring their new games to the market. Mobile game development is no longer a rich man's game, and that makes it really exhilarating. 6. 3D Touch Capability When Apple launched the iPhone 6S, they also launched 3D touch which has the potential to revolutionise mobile gaming altogether. Not only does it bring a new dimension to existing commands, but it adds in the option for additional ones. From tapping the screen to pressing and holding, there are more possibilities and combinations to boost the in-game experience. As 3D touch becomes more commonplace across mobile handsets, expect to see developers incorporating it more. 7. Retro Revival There's a perfect juxtaposition in the gaming industry at the moment, and it's only a matter of time before it becomes a major trend in mobile games as well. Games are having a nostalgic makeover, and its sending gamers all dewy-eyed. Crash Bandicoot is the latest video game character making a comeback in console games, news that was met with a hugely positive reception at E3 2016. A big trend in mobile gaming would be these retro characters making the jump to devices. After all, you can download Snake on your iPhone already, this is the natural next step. 8. Freemium Gaming Games such as Hearthstone and Clash of Clans are hugely popular, and their "freemium" model is only going to be replicated across more apps. "Freemium gaming" is those mobile and free-to-play games where players can purchase in-game content. This is one mobile gaming trend on the rise, because it's a great way to track audience engagement. Players also love to move forwards in games and get extras and bonuses, freemium gaming offers them this – but only if they want to. 9. Cross-Generational Appeal Video games have stereotypically been something played by younger people, however the rise of mobile gaming has seen an increase in their cross-generational appeal. Today, anyone with a smart phone can – and does – play games. Older generations are increasingly tech-savvy, and enjoy spending their leisure time playing games on their phone. 2016 looks set to be the year when developers will start to take more notice of the different generations playing their games, and take steps to appeal to them. In reality, this will see more niche games rather than games dulled down to have "mass" appeal. 10. The Rise of Twitch Twitch and YouTube are taking over in the gaming world, and developers and brands are really starting to pay attention to the "celebrities" – people like PewDiePie – who stream videos of themselves playing online. Mobile game streaming is growing rapidly, and developers are already looking at how they can monetize these so-called "esports" events. What's the Future? There are some really interesting mobile gaming trends to look out for in the next six months, many of which are already taking hold in the industry. It's a hugely exciting time, and one thing is for sure – mobile gaming is going to change forever!

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  Tomorrow

  Tomorrow By Clare Evans

  How Will Virtual Reality Change Our Lives?

  We were first introduced to the idea of virtual reality in the 1999 sci-fi flick, The Matrix. In the multi-million-doller trilogy, Keanu Reeves' character, Neo, found himself living between two worlds. Fighting bad guys, and generally making the whole concept of VR seem pretty darn cool. Entertaining, yes. But realistic? While the 90s version of virtual reality we were promised in films like The Matrix and The Lawnmower Man might remain firmly on the silver screen, virtual reality IS the future. And it's something you need to pay attention to. You see, VR isn't going away. The clearest sign that VR is the future came in July 2014 when Facebook brought Oculus Rift for a cool $2 billion. Virtual reality is growing, and becoming more accessible by the day. Soon, it'll be as commonplace as an iPhone. Here are just a few predictions for how virtual reality will change our lives: 1. Gaming As we've already touched on the Oculus Rift headset, it makes sense to start with gaming. After all, this is the most obvious – and demonstrated – example of virtual reality in action. Facebook wouldn't have acquired Oculus had it not seen the potential in VR, another sign that it's only going to get bigger. Even before it has gone mainstream, Oculus already supports a vast number of games. And this list is growing all the time. Sony and Samsung are also releasing similar VR headsets, and the increased competition will force designers to make their games and experiences more intense, immersive and impressive. 2. Watching films 3D films are nothing new, but they're not really as exciting and well, three-dimensional, as viewers were hoping and expecting. But just imagine how much the cinematic experience could be enhanced when you throw virtual reality into the mix. You'd be in control of the movie world. You can look around as you want, see the action from different angles, and choose where to give your full attention. This is all still theoretical at the moment, but it really could change the way we watch films in the future. 3. Seeing the world We all get a bit of wanderlust every now and again, but money, responsibilities and daily life all get in the way of us hoping on a plane and jetting off to sunnier climes. Virtual reality could help us see the world, without leaving our living rooms. You could tour museums and monuments remotely, take in some amazing scenery, and even just relax on a 'beach' – all without a passport. 4. Surgery This is one area where virtual reality is already being used, as it's safer for trainee-surgeons to perfect their techniques in a realistic environment. Fully interactive models can suffer from a selection of ailments, and surgeons can learn new techniques and trainees can put theory into practice without an unrealistic plastic model, or the pressure of a real-life situation. 5. Space exploration Space travel is expensive, not to mention neigh-on impossible for Joe Bloggs. Heck, the chances of heading off into the stratosphere are pretty slim even if you're an astronaut. But VR makes this expensive – and sometimes dangerous – escapade, much easier. Scientists can safely explore from Ground Control, heading out much deeper into space than would be humanly possibly otherwise. The possibilities really are endless here, and it's a really exciting way VR could change our lives. 6. Training and development Pilots already use flight simulators but, like surgeons, could seriously benefit from something a lot more realistic to help perfect their skills. Enter, virtual reality. There are already a whole host of games where you can hone your skills, but even real pilots could benefit from the level of immersion virtual reality has to offer. 7. Improving quality of life Lastly – but by no means least – virtual reality has the potential to transform the lives of those who aren't capable of living a normal life. It gives people the opportunity to explore and experience the world – even doing things we take for granted – and that's the biggest thing VR has to offer. The possibilities really are endless where virtual reality is concerned, it really does have the potential to change our lives and the world we live in. Time will tell wat kind of impact VR has, but one thing's for sure – there's so much more to virtual reality than gaming.

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