6 things we want from the next decade of gaming

The future is just around the corner! Well, some of it at least, arriving at the usual pace as the clocks roll us inevitably forward into a fresh decade. The last ten years have brought plenty to celebrate in our favorite past time of video games, but we don’t only want to look at the past. The future can be a tricky place to predict, so rather than speculate over what will happen, join us instead as we engage in a spot of wish fulfilment to close out the year. Here are 6 big things we want from the next decade of gaming. 

6 things we want from the next decade of gaming

1. Affordable VR

Virtual Reality is pretty darned cool! And as it turns out, not nearly the flash in the pan trend that many thought. Unfortunately, while plenty of seriously awesome VR games and experiences do exist (I mean just look at this Tokyo VR theme park!), the technology is still prohibitively expensive for most to consider home use. 

PSVR certainly helped put more headsets into homes, but at $250+ for entry and even more for the Move controllers, it’s still more than most can afford dish out. The less said about the price of Valve’s Index setup, the better. As headsets like the Oculus Quest hit the market, we’re hopeful VR will stick around for the coming ten years, evolving, improving, but ultimately lowering in price, too.

2. The real end of loot boxes

Following several years of cash-grabbing that saw publishers cramming randomized crates into any and every game, regardless of their suitability (Shadow of Mordor, anybody?), Star Wars: Battlefront 2 was the straw that broke the camel’s back for loot boxes. Thankfully, transparency has since been on the rise, with some countries even forcing games to show the contents or odds of each crate. 

We’re all for cosmetic items supporting updates to games as services, but we’d really love to see the trend towards transparency in transactions continue, and a move away from gambling aspects in games available for those underage. Hopefully the lootbox and microtransaction furore of this decade will help players be savvier to the next suspicious craze in gaming that’s desperate to drain our wallets. At the very least could we have the money grabbing toned down in sports titles like FIFA?

3. Half-Life/Portal/Left 4 Dead 3

We originally had Half-Life 3 on our list as a joke, but the reveal of Half-Life Alyx has left everything is up in the air once more. If Valve is ready to start making Half-Life again, what else can we wish for? Sure, we love to see them try new ideas, but when they’re so darned good at making first-person titles is a proper new Half-Life, Portal or Left 4 Dead too much to consider? Actually, since we’re daydreaming, we’ll take a full new Orange Box that packs all three into one, cheers!

4. Mass Effect remasters

It’s hardly controversial, but we will absolutely die on the hill that proclaims the Mass Effect trilogy as one of the best ever in gaming. Though its ending was far from perfect, our journey with Garrus, Tali & crew was an unforgettably brilliant one. That said, if you actually go back and play the original Mass Effect today, it’s… Look, we’ll say it. Mass Effect is ugly and feels horrifically dated. 

We’re not looking for a full remake or anything like that. The voice acting, story and everything can stay as is. Just give us a lovely touchup that brings the original’s combat and controls in line with Mass Effect 3 and throws in a bit of polish to the visuals while we’re there. If any series deserves it, it’s Mass Effect.

5. New genres

The run from 2010 to today has been a pretty exciting one when it comes to breakthrough genres in gaming. The Walking Simulator, Battle Royale, Auto Chess, heck we’d even throw Soulslikes in there. New genres have risen, pitched tents and established their space in the gaming bazaar over the last ten years, and it’s been a joy to watch it happen.

Sure, people mocked Walking Sims when Dear Esther sparked a trend, but through it we’ve been able to experience the brilliant likes of Gone Home and What Remains of Edith Finch. As the push for ever shinier graphics falls into the background with next-gen consoles, we hope developers will be able to truly experiment and find fresh new ways for us to enjoy our favorite pastime.

6. Sensible exclusivity and release schedules

Exclusive games are fine. They're not great for the consumer, but we understand their importance for the likes of Sony and Microsoft as the reason to pick up one new device over another. What we're sick of, however, are the nonsensical timed exclusive portions of games. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's PS4 timed exclusivity of the Spec Ops Survival Mode is a nonsensical system that only caused confusion for casual COD fans over what was included in the release.

Even worse than timed-exclusive content were the bonkers release schedules on platforms like EA's Origin. Anthem was in enough trouble already thanks to its troubled development plan, but when EA had to release a spreadsheet just to explain when each version of the game would be available, it was difficult not to see the entire thing as a joke. Origin's Access, Preimere and preorder releases were such a headache that we imagine many potential buyers just gave up through sheer frustration. Thankfully this trend looks to have died down somewhat, so let's keep it that way, eh? It's all a heck of a lot easier with a single, clear release.

So that was our list of six things we want from the next decade of gaming. While there have certainly been missteps and stumbles along the way, we've had plenty of excitement these last ten years and simply cannot wait to see what the next has in store. What do you want from the next decade of gaming? Let us know in the comments below!