It’s no secret that advances in gaming technology are what’s driving the industry. Technological innovation is already reshaping the gaming world as we know it, making it more and more unrecognizable by the day. 

But in what direction is the future of gaming headed? And how can CG artists make the most of its trajectory?

VR

The introduction of virtual reality (VR) into the world of gaming heightened the desire for real-life experience even more than before. With the new demand for total immersion, creating believable 3D assets is all the more crucial.  

Things like scale, poly count, and texture mapping take on weightier meanings when you imagine what it would be like to experience them from inside a VR world. 

Remember, that doesn’t mean you should always shoot for realism—in fact, a common misbelief is that the more realistic a VR experience is, the better it will be. The truth is a stylized game in VR can be just as unforgettable as one that’s hyper-realistic–and that’s exactly where CG artists come in.

Cloud Gaming

Cloud computing has revolutionized the gaming industry, mostly due to its hand in eliminating the need for constant and expensive console and PC upgrades, making gaming more available and convenient to the masses. 

With the shift from physical to digital, artist roles will adapt alongside it resulting in an increase in demand for character and visual development, and technical content artists. 

Although cloud computing isn’t new, the host of benefits it can bring to not only the final product but also throughout the process of building worlds is yet to be manifested.

Entire Worlds

As things drift further into the digital, gamers are fueling the push for entire worlds in VR, AR, and the metaverse. Whether an immersive action video game or a slow-paced life simulation game, virtual worlds are shaping the future and its endless possibilities.

New opportunities within online worlds, not just for gaming but also for business ventures, may lead to metaverse games taking over the industry. 

As hybrid uses will come with it, whether it’s various types of entertainment and performance or even business marketing, digital artists should prepare to be experimental and open-minded when it comes to creating new assets that might not resemble the typical video game.

NFT

We know, non-fungible tokens (NFT’s) aren’t the greatest, but their rise in popularity is undeniable. NFT games like Axie Infinity have reached record-breaking heights, and the role of NFTs within games is starting to evolve into both currency and collectible. 

That means that digital artists have the upper hand when it comes to NFT gaming. As unique assets are in demand, CG artists have more creative liberty to define NFTs and their use in gaming, all while making a pretty penny. 

And where it rarely existed in the industry before this, NFTs also bring a sense of individual recognition that gaming artists might not often receive.

Staying Up-to-Date

Like most things, the world of gaming is moving at lightning speed. That’s why it’s important to stay constantly updated so that you can know exactly where you fit in the industry, and the skills you’ll need to learn to do so. But that doesn’t have to mean taking a 12-week course every few months to brush up on the newest tools. 

Instead, utilize quick tutorials from industry vets. At Cubebrush, we do all the research for you to find you the hottest gaming trends and the best CG tools out there, all while letting you focus on brushing up on old skills and gaining new ones.