While some people pray for 4G to become available in their area, it is rapidly spreading in other parts of the world. 5G promises faster speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity. If you’re a regular reader, I’ll dare assume that you’re in favor of the adoption of 5G technology. But what does it mean for the gaming world? We take a look at how 5G works and what subsectors within the gaming industry will benefit.
Understanding 5G
You have to start somewhere, but understanding what 5G is seems like a good place to start. 4G can offer speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, but 5G can do this 10 times faster. Latency will be reduced by 20-30 times, to just 1 millisecond. Have you ever been on a video call and seen the other person’s face freeze up and stutter? 1 millisecond is imperceptible. That won’t happen anymore. The same goes for those crucial moments in video games (perhaps when you pause to prepare to shoot). Those dreaded latency will be a thing of the past. So how will the gaming industry benefit? Besides more shots hitting the target!
Stopping Missed Shots
As mentioned earlier, for gamers, latency is often the difference between winning and losing. High latency (like we see with 4G and fibre optic broadband) causes frustrating lag and slows the action. This obviously poses issues in fast-paced games where timing is important – in other words, almost any large-scale game. 5G’s ultra-low latency promises a much more responsive experience.
Plus, with 5G’s increased bandwidth, everything you need to do to download games, updates, patches, and more will be completed in a fraction of the time it would take with 4G. That means less waiting and more playing time, which is never a bad thing.
Cloud gaming
The cloud gaming revolution is underway, and 5G will make it even more powerful. Cloud gaming allows games to be streamed from remote servers instead of relying on powerful local hardware. It’s already popular in mobile gaming, and even Netflix has jumped on board. Currently, cloud gaming is only held back by what 4G and broadband can deliver, but with widespread 5G, everyone will be able to enjoy this technology the way it was meant to be enjoyed. This effectively democratizes gaming, making high-end gaming experiences more accessible to a wider range of users.
Multiplayer and eSports Improvements
Multiplayer gaming and eSports are very exciting fields. Both are experiencing explosive growth. However, these games require a strong and stable internet connection. Some players will not have an internet connection at all, but those who have it (as we’ve already touched on briefly) can use it to their advantage. 5G will enable all players to connect and play without impacting performance. This will pave the way for even more intricate and complex games, creating a world that was previously unthinkable.
No field has higher stakes than esports. Here, players aren’t just playing for props, they’re also sometimes playing for millions of dollars. And it’s all typically streamed to millions of people at home. 5G not only provides internet solutions for players, but also for streaming services. If live broadcasts of these events are the future (hint: they are), 5G could enable that high-definition, uninterrupted future.
Fostering innovation in game development
Online casinos are often at the forefront of innovation, and 5G has given them even more room to do so. Some casinos are using the increased bandwidth to offer augmented reality experiences to their customers, while others are using it to host bigger games (more players) than ever before. Those who play online bingo in Canada may have noticed that bingo chat rooms are busier and the community is bigger than before. This is such an important aspect of the bingo experience, so the fact that improved internet capabilities are making this possible is a huge leap.
Another area where online casinos have made great strides is in the area of live dealers. Because these games are live streams, they require a huge amount of bandwidth to stream properly. Providing a live stream of a real dealer to players (potentially) all over the world at the same time is no mean feat. It will be exciting to see what video game developers get creative with next.
Addressing the challenges
Although promising, the rollout of 5G does not come without challenges. One major concern is the infrastructure needed to support the technology. Installing new cell towers and upgrading existing network infrastructure will require significant investments. Additionally, there is the issue of ensuring equitable access to 5G technology. Many rural and underserved areas have lagged in infrastructure development, which could delay the benefits of 5G.
