The influence of gaming on the tech industry

It is difficult to find a sector more focused on relentless updates and improvements than gaming.

03:04 21 May 2025

It is difficult to find a sector more focused on relentless updates and improvements than gaming. Modern gamers expect the latest and greatest technology at their fingertips almost as soon as it is created. This means that the tech industry often focuses on gaming, in particular, when allocating funds and resources. In this article, we’ll explore how the gaming sector has influenced the tech industry in early 2025, as well as what we expect to see moving forward.

Online-only content

One of the biggest areas in which the gaming sector influences the tech industry in 2025 is online-only content. The more high quality the design, the stronger the internet connection needs to be. We’ve come a long way here! A few decades back, playing purely online was almost impossible. People would meet up in person to connect their computers together in order to enjoy multi-player games.

Today, it is possible for many people to play games online without worrying about disconnects and lost time. iGaming, in particular, has become a cornerstone of online play for people around the world. Casino games, for example, are increasing in popularity precisely because you can play without downloading anything at all. All you have to do is log on and play. This is due primarily to the continued development of internet technology, and the tech industry has made improving signal quality and stability a priority in both mobile and traditional online networks.

Adaptive gaming and AI

There has been a lot of talk about artificial intelligence (AI) in gaming recently. The past few years have seen a great many proclamations that swear it’s the ‘next big thing’. But what exactly does AI look like in gaming, and has it actually made a difference in game design?

One of the biggest areas where AI is used in gaming is adaptive gaming. This is gaming that uses AI to alter a story, map or gameplay element depending on players’ progress and playstyle. This allows developers to create massive, in-depth stories tailored for individual players. No two playthroughs are the same, and players can experience a highly individual experience. A more specific example is adaptive NPCs. Using AI, non-player characters (NPCs) respond dynamically to a player’s actions, presenting them with challenges and tasks that fit with the choices they have made.

The tech industry has helped improve and refine AI for a wide variety of applications this year, and adaptive gaming has been a big priority. Luckily for players everywhere, this work continues to be an ongoing process with improvements coming rapidly.

VR and AR

Another area where gaming is reflected in the tech sector in 2025 is virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Similar to adaptive gaming, VR and AR games present players with dynamic worlds that change, but not necessarily in direct response to player actions. This technology is especially popular in designing titles with realistic graphics, including time cycles and weather. Players can fully immerse themselves in this kind of environment, particularly when paired with headsets created specifically with AR and VR in mind.

The tech industry has been championing VR and AR for at least two decades at this point, if not more. It should come as no surprise, then, that 2025 saw great strides in the implementation and effectivity of both technologies. We expect work to continue here, with new games potentially releasing later this year.

Cloud gaming

Cloud gaming is not a new addition to the gaming industry. When utilised properly, it allows players to play games across different devices. You might be able to switch from a PC to your smartphone mid-game, for example, without losing any progress or functionality. That’s because your game information is saved in the cloud. This makes it easy for players to save and access progress on the fly, regardless of the device they’re using.

The tech industry has long been a proponent of the cloud. It has been especially productive in 2025, with an emphasis on security and reliability. We fully expect progress to continue throughout the rest of the year and beyond.

Are you ready to see what the rest of 2025 has to bring? We hope to see some innovative developments in the second part of the year. Keep your ears and eyes tuned for more!