Online communities and digital services now play a key role in the global gaming industry.
While games still require certain hardware to run smoothly, technological innovations promise a future where this may no longer be necessary.
They make it possible to play high-quality games without owning expensive devices, and developers are increasingly optimizing gaming apps to run smoothly on smartphones.
Technology is redefining the fundamentals of gaming through advances in cloud infrastructure, widespread smartphone use and artificial intelligence (AI).
Gaming is no longer just about the technology. It has evolved into a global ecosystem that prioritizes accessibility, personalization and camaraderie between players.
With mobile apps now playing a large role in the everyday life of the average person, we evaluate some of the exciting technology developments to watch this year and beyond.
New foundations for game creation
AI was originally used as a supporting tool in the development of gaming apps, but has now become a creative partner for developers worldwide.
Developers are now relying on AI to speed up production and unlock ideas that would have taken years to develop manually. Instead of designing every character, line of dialogue, level, environment, and challenge themselves, developers and studios use AI to accomplish these tasks.
The notable changes are easy to spot if you pay attention to how non-playable characters behave. Characters from older games were notorious for repeating the same actions and lines regardless of the player’s actions or decisions.
However, things run more smoothly in newer games with AI. AI-controlled characters react more naturally to the player’s decisions. You can remember what the player has done before, adjust their behavior, and even change the way they speak depending on how the game is played.
Cross-platform development is also expected to become increasingly popular in 2026. Games are no longer expected to only work on one device. Gamers gravitate toward titles that allow them to easily switch between phone, console, and computer.
Epic’s first-party games, such as Fortnite, Fall Guys, LEGO Fortnite and Rocket League, support cross-platform technology.
Double immersion, mobility and mobile gaming
While computers and consoles are still the ultimate gaming devices, mobile phones are gradually becoming the driving force of the industry.
Developers have begun creating complex, high-quality mobile games that can compete with console and PC titles thanks to new technologies.
Gamers tend to use smartphones as they are cheaper and more accessible than consoles and PCs. But none of this would be possible without 5G technology.
Thanks to 5G technology, games run smoothly on smartphones, even in graphically demanding online multiplayer titles such as Call of Duty Mobile (CODM).
CODM is one of the most popular online multiplayer games in the world. With 5G technology, gamers can participate in live games, play with others around the world, and even stream high-quality content.
It’s also helped mobile esports grow into a serious business, with competitive mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings attracting huge audiences and mouth-watering prize pools.
Monetization has also changed as more and more people play mobile games. In-app purchases are still common, but players expect transparency rather than feeling pressured or paying just to win.
This is where the line between gaming and betting apps begins to overlap. Companies like Betfair, one of the best betting apps on trusted comparison website Bettingtop10.com/gb/, show that similar technologies can be used in different digital experiences.
Features like real-time updates and live competitions also work well for prediction-based gaming related to eSports, fantasy gaming, and other digital competitive events.
The future of gaming apps could be based on connected ecosystems
Many gaming apps are already connected to other digital tools that people use, such as smartwatches, foldable phones, smart home devices and payment apps.
Players will likely see more of this in the future. When these systems work together, it changes the way players interact with games and the way developers think about long-term engagement.
Wearable devices are likely to be an important part of this new ecosystem. Smartwatches can send game updates to your wrist, track your progress, or even link your real-world activity to in-game rewards.
Developers talk a lot about gaming patterns on smartwatches, emphasizing the fact that people don’t need to squint at their wrists during long gaming sessions.
Companies like Bossa Studios have already gained a foothold in the industry by developing games for smartwatches. The studio is responsible for popular mobile games such as Surgeon Simulator, Thomas Was Alone and Twelve a Dozen.
They also created a game called Spy_Watch that can be played on the Apple Watch. The game puts players in charge of their own virtual spy agency.
