Is Now the Time to Get into Online Game Development?

What started over four decades ago as an adventure game between two undergraduate students has now turned into a multi-billion dollar industry. In 1978, ARPANET, the network that became the basis for the Internet, was linked to the University of Essex, Colchester, England, where Roy Trubshaw and Richard Bartle had written a text-based fantasy adventure game that they called MUD, or “multiuser dungeon.”

When the first outside users connected to MUD through ARPANET, online gaming was born. Today, Multi-User Dungeon, or MUD (referred to as MUD1, to distinguish it from its successor, MUD2, and the MUD genre in general), is the first MUD and the oldest virtual world in existence. Today, there are now an estimated 3.24 billion gamers worldwide, according to data from Statista. This number is expected to rise with Meta (formerly Facebook) now getting into the metaverse.

With an improved broadband connection, online games can now be accessed from gaming consoles, computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. Online gaming is a massive business and for those considering a career in online game development, now is the time to get involved.

In 2020, the gaming industry generated $155 billion in revenue and by 2025, it has been predicted the industry will generate more than $260 billion in revenue, which is incredible. These figures show that the gaming industry, in which online gaming plays a significant role, is going to grow and there are huge sums of money involved. So, purely on the basis of the potential money that can be earned, now is the perfect time to get into online game development.

Socialising has changed across the planet and more people are beginning to socialize online. Not only do people stay in touch and chat via the mainstream social media channels but socializing during online gaming has become a great way to chat with friends. Whether it be playing a game of football and having a laugh with each other via a headset or playing a tactical warfare game and keeping in touch via text chat on the screen, social online gaming is the future.

Another form of online gaming that has increased in popularity in recent years is casinos. Online casinos offer some of the best entertainment available online, with a massive choice of games including slots, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, poker, and craps. If you look at only the best casino games, they come complete with cutting-edge graphics, fantastic sound, and thrilling gameplay, with video slots being a good example.

Every month, we see the introduction of new and innovative online slot games that push the boundaries of what is possible in online casino gaming. This is not going to stop and if you have ever considered a career in online game development, online casino game is a great industry. With augmented reality moving ever closer, offering gamers the chance to walk into a casino and choose a game to play from the comfort of their own home, there has never been a more exciting time to become an online game developer.

People have plenty of options when it comes to entertainment, especially when at home. We have access to a wealth of television and movie streaming services and such is the choice, it would be impossible for anyone to watch every series and film. However, the statistics show people are still choosing to play video games and it has become more popular than the movie and music industries combined.

For anyone looking for a career in entertainment, online game development is a great option. The industry is riding the crest of a wave right now and the wave is only going to get bigger over the next decade.