As we start to cruise towards the final part of 2024, it is hard to deny that there have been some incredible games and gaming tech released this year. Gamers are lucky enough to be in a position where they enjoy an industry that is growing.
Not only is gaming one of the biggest arenas for entertainment now, but it is also a place where technology and the ideas of gaming are innovative and moving forward and offering up gaming experiences that those once young games could only dream of.
So, what gadgets should you be considering to take your gaming to new heights?
1. Haptic Feedback Accessories
Source: digitaltrends.com
Gaming has evolved, and the once solid vibrationless controllers with two buttons are a memory. Now everything vibrates, flashes, rumbles, and gives feedback to the gamers – so they get to enjoy a more immersive experience.
Phones have used haptic feedback, which is a quick tap or vibration, for years (Android first, eventually followed by Apple), and all gaming phones are equipped with multiple options for feedback.
Newer haptic feedback accessories are offering up a new gaming experience. They can now replicate the force and texture of what is happening in the game.
Wearable haptic accessories come in a range of prices, but here are some of the options:
- Wearable bHaptics Tact Suit
- Next Level Racing HF8 Chair
- Manus Prime X Haptic VR
- Tactosy for Arms Haptic Sleeves
- bHaptics Device for Feet
All of these items combined mean that as you work your way through a VR game, you’re going to feel almost everything that your in-game characters do.
2. Advanced Gaming Consoles & PC
Source: microsoft.com
Do you remember your first console? People over a certain age would’ve started with something like the Atari 2600, NES, or the Nintendo 64. There have been a few significant upgrades between now and then. The best-selling game console of all time was the PS2, and Nintendo holds a few of the biggest-selling consoles too, including the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 3DS, and the NES.
Advanced consoles typically come with the following features: high dynamic range, 4K res, and the highest possible frame rates. Right now, the Microsoft Xbox Series X is considered to be one of the best and most powerful consoles on the market.
While building a customer PC is ideal for almost any gamer, from slots such as VirginGames to COD, there are a few that come right out of the box and pack a punch –
- Acer Predator Orion 7000
- Lenovo Legion T7 34IA27
- Corsair Vengeance i7400
Or for a few more budget-friendly options:
- AMD Ryzen 5 6-Core RGB
- CLX Set
- Acer Predator Orion 3000
3. Better VR Headsets
Source: nypost.com
It might be surprising, but the first VR headset was created way back in 1968 by an American computer scientist and one of his students and was called the Sword of Damocles.
However, most people consider the first VR headset to be the Oculus because it made such a big splash and was all over YouTube, where gaming streamers and game content makers displayed all the coolest horror games while jumping out of their seats.
But what sets good VR headsets apart from great ones is that great ones have the ability for you to fall over the couch while swinging at zombies. For those who don’t mind spending on their gaming and what one of the highest-reviewed headsets, then the Valve Index is the one you should be considering, or the HTC Vive Pro 2 Full Kit.
The Meta Quest 2, or you could wait for the Meta Quest 3 to be released, is recommended for those who have a tighter budget but still want the VR experience.
4. AI Gaming Assistant
Source: venomuk.com
Artificial Intelligence is making a wave across all areas of technology, and gaming is no exception. There are a few ways that a gaming AI assistant can help, and there are a few available too. Nvidia imagined one called R.O.N Ai, and it offers a holographic interface, coaches you through the gameplay, and updates you on what you really need to know as you play.
SenpAI offers a desktop app that is said to improve your gameplay across multiple games, including Valorant and League of Legends give both pre and post-game information, including win probability.
5. Elgato Stream Deck MK.2
Source: 9to5toys.com
For those who stream, or share their gaming on apps like Discord, the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 puts all your apps in one easy-to-see interface, as well as offers multiple controls and active buttons. You can set up macros to make what you are doing ever faster, and while there is a little bit of a learning curve it is one that those who want the best from their gaming and streaming won’t mind. The Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 is a compact control panel that makes your streaming or video workflow more organized and efficient.
The Stream Deck MK.2 consists of 15 programmable LCD keys that can be used to trigger actions or tools – launch applications, adjust selected parameters, control presentations, videos, or audio levels – the possibilities are endless!
The device is programmable from the dedicated application level – the connection with a computer is possible via a USB-C port.
Each key can be assigned an icon of your choice, which you can create yourself or choose from a library of icons from the Stream Deck Store. With an extensive plug-in library, you can connect the Stream Deck MK.2 with OBS, YouTube, Spotify, and many other applications.
