Will Algorithms Be Used in the Gaming Industry to Choose Titles for Players?

The idea that there will be algorithms dictating various aspects of our everyday lives is no longer a sci-fi fantasy but an everyday reality. Some of the world's biggest companies, such as Facebook and Google.com, for example, have been successful by using algorithms that put users in touch with exactly what they (supposedly) want to see, when they want to see it. This is done through the collection of mass amounts of data including things people have viewed and how they have reacted to them. Now, this concept is spreading out into other industries. With gaming always being at the forefront of technological developments, it won't be long before players have their games selected for them by an algorithm.

Next Generation Consoles May Follow a Netflix-like Model

When the next generation of PlayStation and Xbox consoles hit shelves around the end of 2020, the state of the art consoles will give users an idea of what to expect from the gaming industry as a whole in the future. It is predicted that the new models will include a Netflix-style games library with users paying for a subscription rather than buying individual titles. That's according to gamesradar.com, which also reports that Sony's developers want games to load almost instantly and for players to be able to play in short bursts.

If the consoles go down a game library route similar to how Netflix is structured, they will most certainly employ algorithms to put players in touch with the games that would most likely appeal to them. Netflix uses a detailed system which collects massive amounts of data from users in order to show them the programs they are most likely to want to watch. Indeed, according to Uxplanet.org, more than 80% of the TV shows and movies people watch on Netflix are discovered through the streaming service's recommendation system.

This service helps people find exactly what they want without having to trawl through hundreds of options that don't appeal to them. With game platforms, it would be just as easy to gather this kind of data and match players with the right titles.

Flourishing Industries Give Users Exactly What They Need

The console market will be looking to catch up with other offshoots of the gaming industry when it comes to providing a consumer experience which gives people exactly what they need. The online casino sector has been optimizing its platforms to match players with the games they want to play for years. This is seen at online casino Leovegas.com, for example, where there are tailored bonuses on the VIP scheme based on what types of casino games each player prefers to play. This kind of personal touch helps the site get the upper hand on some of its rivals in a highly competitive industry.

Algorithms are rapidly permeating every business sector and helping people find the things that are most suited to their tastes. The next phase in the evolution of gaming will most likely see an increase in this type of personalization for players – for better or for worse.