The world of gaming is highly dynamic and constantly evolving at a fast pace, and when 5G technology emerged onto the scene, it signaled exciting times ahead for avid gamers. Despite all the initial hype, we have yet to see 5G delivering substantive changes for gamers. In this investigation, we’ll delve into 5G technology to assess why it has failed to deliver on its promise to transform the world of gaming and question whether there is still any hope for positive developments in the future.
What Is 5G?
In a nutshell, 5G is the 5th generation mobile network that enables a new system designed to connect virtually everyone and everything, including machines, objects and various other technological devices. It is ten times faster, supports 10,000 times more network traffic and can handle 100 times more devices than 4G networks while enabling one-fiftieth of the latency with zero perceived downtime.
When it was launched back in 2019, 5G was expected to transform industries, society and the way we communicate and live in unimaginably wonderful ways. Not simply faster than 4G LTE, 5G was dubbed to be one of the most transformative telecommunications technologies in history.
How Does 5G Impact The Gaming World?
Thanks to the promise of lower latency (the delay between user instruction and the required on-screen result) and faster speeds that hone broadband, 5G entering the gaming space opened up a wealth of opportunities for the gaming community.
Better Speeds
Not all games are created equal. Some are extremely bandwidth intensive, and to be competitive, latency is required. Games such as Fortnite and Apex will need this type of connection.
Then there are games that work just as well on 3G as on 5G. Online casinos, for instance, offer thousands of slots – which, even with intensive graphics – do not need the power of 5G. Players looking to gamble online with a no deposit bonus can access NoDepositRewards on any connection. All the games will run smoothly.
Moreover, as smartphone devices become more sophisticated, so too do the games consumers want to play on them. So, understandably, the bold promises made by the arrival of the 5G network were welcomed with open arms by gamers across the board.
Improved Network Reliability
A common issue gamers encounter when playing online is network disruptions which are known to aggravate gamers who have to deal with having their games cut short. Due to the fact that 5G isn’t dependent on carriers, network crashes are no longer a concern for gamers who can now experience uninterrupted play.
More Sophisticated Mobile Gaming Interfaces
There is no doubt the gaming industry is highly competitive, and developers are always looking for ways to improve their offerings. As the 5G network becomes more established, gaming developers will need to find new ways of upgrading mobile interfaces so that players can have a similar experience as they would playing on a desktop.
Safer Gaming Experiences
Gaming portals, especially those where large sums of money are exchanged, can be a goldmine for cybercriminals looking to take advantage of unsuspecting people. However, the sophisticated nature of 5G makes it harder for hackers to access data because of its use of blockchain technology which records all interactions.
Was The Promise of 5G A Lie?
Despite all the promises about transforming the nature of the gaming world as we know it, as things stand, 5G has failed to truly have the impact that experts predicted. With that being said, however, it doesn’t mean that the potential of 5G was a lie entirely. The fact is, for 5G to truly have an impact, we need to see mainstream adoption of the technology. For this to happen, more people need to have smartphones or gadgets that support the 5G network so they can take advantage of everything it has to offer.
As things are at present, only a handful of devices support 5G networks, and they remain quite pricey. However, as time goes on, we expect more technology manufacturers to follow suit, resulting in device prices dropping and more people having access to 5G. Ultimately, as more gamers have access to 5G compatible devices, we will see the infrastructure expansion and hopefully, 5G will be able to deliver on its promises.