This current generation has seen the most change in the world of video games, in my opinion. One can argue that the new world the Sony Playstation and Sega Saturn opened up was indeed the most innovative of all time with its introduction of 3D worlds and sound. However, the most innovative ideas and advancements are happening now in this generation.

                Video games are growing at an exponential rate.  The demands for innovation grew higher by the consumers who demanded more new technology, and demanded it sooner rather than later. This can work both to our benefit, and our detriment. Video game consumers demand more realism, more life-like movements and facial expressions, better writing and storytelling, better sound, better colors, etc. This can all be seen in comparing the game Resident Evil, and L.A. Noire, as seen in the side-by-side pictures below.

   vs.   

                Once the idea of video games being an avenue for cinematic storytelling pieces, the push began for more movie-like presentations. L.A. Noire, currently, has become the pinnacle of human storytelling with its life-like facial expressions that display human emotion better than anything on the current market.

                The demand on developers seems to be unfairly in regard to its consumers, reviewers and critics; however humanity is fueled by progress. Some may not be able to argue against how fast our technological evolution has been in the recent years. Now, the tools of development are put into the hands of video game consumers everywhere. Anyone now can make games to be released for the PS3, Xbox 360, and the PC for little to no money, and with the proper motivation (most of these adventurists don’t realize the complications and struggles in making a fully functional video game). 

Multiplayer games began to rise with the increasing speed and ease of the internet. Now you can play games online with hundreds of people all at one time. It brought connectivity across the world to a whole new meaning, something that hadn’t been done before since the onset of a home internet set up nearly fifteen years ago.

                This console generation has seen the change from being a kids’ toy to an adult’s casual entertainment device. As video games grew up, so did its players, which is why as the years go by, the average video gamers’ age grows (according to the US Video Games World Report in 2008, the average age is now 35 years old). The video game industry can now be held on the same pedestal  as major motion pictures, which all up until recently has dominated the casual entertainment market.

                What is next for the video game market? If you buy into the Singularity Theory, and the Law of Accelerating Returns, the innovation will become much faster and much more prevalent as developers are pushed to continue to evolve. Video games will only advance in graphics and physics more and more. Computer AI will be faster and smarter, and more able to think for itself. Video games may even one day transcend humanity, to where it will even do the thinking for us and simulate real life for us. The United States Military is currently using video games to simulate modern warfare tactics and strategy against potentially large militaries like China, Russia, even North Korea. Not only will the technology become more realistic, it may even become our tool for innovation and evolution.

                If you don’t, then video games will only get more fun and more casual. With the increasing popularity of iOS and Android games, video games are falling into the hands of more and more people worldwide, and if anything those kinds of games prove that sometimes the simplest mechanics that were pioneering the video game market over twenty years ago are still the most fun and entertaining. Regardless of what opinion you hold, video games will become a more and more dominating entertainment market for consumers all over as the years pass.