Action adventure mobile gaming: Past, Present and Future

Action-adventure gaming is often compared to the ups and downs of real life. But unlike reality, you get unlimited chances to cross the hurdles, defeat the evils and complete the mission in the gaming world. This genre has always offered rewarding experience to gamers but it was earlier limited mainly to gaming consoles.
In contemporary scenario, the infectious popularity of smartphones is making this genre all the rage among both serious gamers and newbies (a.k.a n00bs).

How it all began?

Classic video game Tetris was the first one to be the part of mobile phone realm. During that era, the games were pre-installed and concept of downloadable games was still a fantasy. Though, Japan commercialized the idea of downloadable games in 1999 but it was a Finnish company ‘Universomo’ that changed the scenario. They launched ‘Bones: The First Adventure,’ in 2002, which had all the elements of an action adventure game. This game with dog as the protagonist was launched for Symbian phones of Nokia and received an overwhelming response. As a result, the journey of Action Adventure games was incepted.

Why go mobile?

Earlier games were considered just a basic source of entertainment for those who carried the mobile devices. But the times changed, and the world witnessed the launch of smartphones, which became an epic moment in the history of technology. In terms of gaming, different firms and independent game developers began to try their hands in this realm due to potential of lucrative revenues.
Very first benefit of developing mobile game is the extensive reach. In fact, the number of smartphone users across the globe in 2015 was whopping 1859.3 millions, as per statistics portal Statista. This massive number is enough evidence to prove that the market of mobile users cannot be ignored.
Blend of portability factor, availability of high-speed internet and improved graphics resulted in accelerated growth of mobile games popularity. As a result, developers got a chance to receive handsome revenue through mobile advertisements and paid games. Phenomenon of freemium gaming in mobile phones is another major area that has enhanced the revenue for gaming industry. In this idea, several games are offered free of cost but charges are levied for additional features or upgrades. In action adventure games, the players can buy better weapons or upgrade power of their game characters by unloading some extra bucks from their pocket. The average spending by a mobile gamer across the globe is 24.33 dollars, as per the latest report by the firm Swrve, which is quite impressive considering the number of mobile game users.

Giants entering action adventure arena of smartphone gaming

The mobile game developers are now putting more focus on action adventure themes in spite of some challenges. The development is bit challenging as they have to create plots and visuals of action adventure games in a very balanced manner so that they can be adapted to the smaller screens of Android or other mobile phones.
But the inclination towards this genre is expected to reap pleasant results for the developers. As per research firm Newzoo, an array of action games in market will result in mobile game revenue reaching 37 billion dollars in 2016. That’s not all! The firm also stated that mobile gaming will transcend the sales of PC games in 2016 for the first time in gaming history. Giants like Electronic Arts have already expanded themselves into mobile world. Their popular action adventure games like Dead Space, Heroes of Dragon Age, Battlefield: Bad Company series and Mirror’s Edge are appreciated by adrenaline junkies. Well, another player from gaming world Ubisoft is also focusing to capture the mobile market. The company offers some of their renowned action adventure games like Prince of Persia and Assassin’s Creed on Android and iOS platforms.

Mobile gaming accessories: A new phase

For hardcore gamers, smartphone appeared as the new dimension to play their favorite games. But these devices were considered secondary when compared to the conventional gaming. This idea was especially prevalent for action adventure games as they required better control and graphics. Various brands realized this problem and introduced mobile accessories, which was a major move to satisfy the craving of great gaming experience.
Mobile gaming controllers that emulate console game remotes are the revolutionary products, which are well received by the dedicated fans of action-adventure genre. Brands like Moga, Logitech, 60Beat, PhoneJoy and iMPulse are constantly evolving the gaming experience by introducing new shapes and features in these controllers.
Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are another addition to this bandwagon of mobile gaming accessories. These headsets take the level of action adventure games a notch above through an immersive experience.
Last but not the least, meaty power banks, which ensure that you never go out of the battery while playing some heavy games, have added to the experience.

Where lies the future?

Smartphone games are currently giving tough competition to portable gaming devices. In near future, the game developers are expected to use features like gyroscopes, cameras and several apps to create advance versions of mobile games. Wearable devices are another facet of smart technology that can be incorporated to enhance the experience of action-adventure gaming. As a whole, the surge in technology and various positive statistics reflect that the future of action adventure games is definitely bright and lasting!

Action adventure mobile gaming: Past, Present and Future

Action-adventure gaming is often compared to the ups and downs of real life. But unlike reality, you get unlimited chances to cross the hurdles, defeat the evils and complete the mission in the gaming world. This genre has always offered rewarding experience to gamers but it was earlier limited mainly to gaming consoles.
In contemporary scenario, the infectious popularity of smartphones is making this genre all the rage among both serious gamers and newbies (a.k.a n00bs).

How it all began?

Classic video game Tetris was the first one to be the part of mobile phone realm. During that era, the games were pre-installed and concept of downloadable games was still a fantasy. Though, Japan commercialized the idea of downloadable games in 1999 but it was a Finnish company ‘Universomo’ that changed the scenario. They launched ‘Bones: The First Adventure,’ in 2002, which had all the elements of an action adventure game. This game with dog as the protagonist was launched for Symbian phones of Nokia and received an overwhelming response. As a result, the journey of Action Adventure games was incepted.

Why go mobile?

Earlier games were considered just a basic source of entertainment for those who carried the mobile devices. But the times changed, and the world witnessed the launch of smartphones, which became an epic moment in the history of technology. In terms of gaming, different firms and independent game developers began to try their hands in this realm due to potential of lucrative revenues.
Very first benefit of developing mobile game is the extensive reach. In fact, the number of smartphone users across the globe in 2015 was whopping 1859.3 millions, as per statistics portal Statista. This massive number is enough evidence to prove that the market of mobile users cannot be ignored.
Blend of portability factor, availability of high-speed internet and improved graphics resulted in accelerated growth of mobile games popularity. As a result, developers got a chance to receive handsome revenue through mobile advertisements and paid games. Phenomenon of freemium gaming in mobile phones is another major area that has enhanced the revenue for gaming industry. In this idea, several games are offered free of cost but charges are levied for additional features or upgrades. In action adventure games, the players can buy better weapons or upgrade power of their game characters by unloading some extra bucks from their pocket. The average spending by a mobile gamer across the globe is 24.33 dollars, as per the latest report by the firm Swrve, which is quite impressive considering the number of mobile game users.

Giants entering action adventure arena of smartphone gaming

The mobile game developers are now putting more focus on action adventure themes in spite of some challenges. The development is bit challenging as they have to create plots and visuals in a very balanced manner so that they can be adapted to the smaller screens of mobile phones.
But the inclination towards this genre is expected to reap pleasant results for the developers. As per research firm Newzoo, an array of action games in market will result in mobile game revenue reaching 37 billion dollars in 2016. That’s not all! The firm also stated that mobile gaming will transcend the sales of PC games in 2016 for the first time in gaming history. Giants like Electronic Arts have already expanded themselves into mobile world. Their popular action adventure games like Dead Space, Heroes of Dragon Age, Battlefield: Bad Company series and Mirror’s Edge are appreciated by adrenaline junkies. Well, another player from gaming world Ubisoft is also focusing to capture the mobile market. The company offers some of their renowned action adventure games like Prince of Persia and Assassin’s Creed on Android and iOS platforms.

Mobile gaming accessories: A new phase

For hardcore gamers, smartphone appeared as the new dimension to play their favorite games. But these devices were considered secondary when compared to the conventional gaming. This idea was especially prevalent for action adventure games as they required better control and graphics. Various brands realized this problem and introduced mobile accessories, which was a major move to satisfy the craving of great gaming experience.
Mobile gaming controllers that emulate console game remotes are the revolutionary products, which are well received by the dedicated fans of action-adventure genre. Brands like Moga, Logitech, 60Beat, PhoneJoy and iMPulse are constantly evolving the gaming experience by introducing new shapes and features in these controllers.
Virtual Reality (VR) headsets are another addition to this bandwagon of mobile gaming accessories. These headsets take the level of action adventure games a notch above through an immersive experience.
Last but not the least, meaty power banks, which ensure that you never go out of the battery while playing some heavy games, have added to the experience.

Where lies the future?

Smartphone games are currently giving tough competition to portable gaming devices. In near future, the game developers are expected to use features like gyroscopes, cameras and several apps to create advance versions of mobile games. Wearable devices are another facet of smart technology that can be incorporated to enhance the experience of action-adventure gaming. As a whole, the surge in technology and various positive statistics reflect that the future of action adventure games is definitely bright and lasting!

Five technologies that after reaching markets will definitely ease your life

Science fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke said “Any sufficiently advanced technology is equivalent to magic.” Researchers from different centers of the world are making it true with their innovative minds and passion to improve the life of common people. Here are some recent developments which definitely will enhance quality of existing technologies and thereby making the world a better place.

1) Traffic signals in your automobiles – Virginia Tech Transportation Institute’s researchers are developing a technology by which traffic signs will be displayed on a dashboard screen inside the automobiles. This will allow the drivers to yield or stop at road intersection on the basis of display on their digital screen. The technology is in developmental stages and its implementation will result in modification of currently existing transportation system.

2) Hi-tech helmets – Helmets from Skully which will be available from 2015 boast interesting features including rear view heads-up display which gives 180 degrees viewing through a camera. A voice control GPS navigation system which can be coupled with smartphone with audio-visual support is also incorporated in the helmet. The pre-order price of the helmet is around 830 euros or around $1400 and booking are already quite high.

3) Smartphones with mult-sensation touch – Microsoft is working on a touchscreen technology which will change the way you touch screen of your mobile. For instance, if you are typing something on your touchscreen device, your fingers will have sensation similar to that of keyboard pressing. Also, clicking on an on-screen button will give you mouse like sensation. These and many different senses are incorporated by use of different approaches like alteration of friction between screen and finger (electrovibration) and use of material under mobile screen which will be bent while you type on your phone. Many other startups too are working on same technology and are expected to turn our tablets and phones into mainstream computers. /

4) Advanced waterproofing of mobiles – A British nanotechnology company P2i which provides nano-coating solution for several materials has developed a new form of their existing solution with technology known as “Dunkable.” With this innovation, electronic devices like tablets and mobiles even after immersion in water will operate normally. According to Dunkable technology, when liquid comes into contact with the device, material’s surface energy is reduced resulting in rolling of the liquid. The technology is also applicable to clothes giving them resistance against acid attack. Currently, the company is seeking investors as it is about to release the technology commercially.

5) Vision correcting screens – Now, a technology is being developed which will allow viewing of screens without use of spectacles or lenses for individuals with vision related issues. There is use of software which adjusts the light from the pixels of the screen. Also, a pin hole filter is applied to improve the image’s sharpness. The technology is developed by the researchers of University of California at Berkeley and MIT Media Laboratory.

Let’s hope all these technologies will improve our life quality and pave the way for much more advanced developments.

Lucid dreaming: Create your own world

Lucid dreaming has been a subject of interest for psychologists, scientists, philosophers and filmmakers from the ages. It is also referred in Mahabharata (ancient Hindu religion text) as Yog Nidra along with Buddhist traditions and several ancient philosophies. Being aware that you are dreaming and thereby controlling your dreams as per the desires is referred to as lucid dreaming. Many researches mention that consciousness of dreams is similar to brain activity that occurs during hallucinations.
Several products are already available in the market like the Remee masks which claim to help one control their dreams. Mobile device apps like Lucid Dreamer can also be of great interest which helps one achieve awareness while dreaming with sleep monitoring, voice reminders and music management.
Recent studies in Johann Wolfgang Goethe-University, Germany have discovered the relation between electric stimulation and dream awareness. It is revealed that brain activity can be influenced by mild electrical current thereby giving an access to lucid dreaming.
Lucidity while sleeping not only allows being in your fantasy world but also many psychological issues can be cured. One such problem is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which develops due to exposure to some stressful incident in life and results in improper sleep coupled with nightmares. Several scientists are working on this technique which will cure PTSD and schizophrenia in the near future.
So, just utilize one of the above methods and you can easily fight with aliens, fly like a bird or be in your fantasy land and have a good night sleep !

After Android, Windows and iOS its Tizen time for smartphones

Samsung in collaboration with Intel Corp. And Linux foundation has launched a new operating system Tizen for smartphones which is considered as an Android alternative.
Samsung Z is the first phone introduced by the company to have Tizen operating system which is first released in Russia. Even smartwatch Gear 2 from Samsung works on this new platform. Emerging markets like India and Russia are supposedly the target regions for the sales of handsets in the beginning and later expansion will be around the globe.
It is said that many developers are being encouraged for developing new apps and games for this OS. A Tizen App Challenge was also organized in which around 4 million dollars were awarded to developers of best apps for the platform. Development of apps will be supposedly economical and convenient as HTML5 language is used for writing the codes of Tizen.
Tizen is not just limited to smartphones as soon it will be incorporated in televisions, netbooks and even in-car systems.
Release of this OS can be good move for Samsung for maintaining its position in the smartphone market. It can also be a good option for customers who want to take a break from existing mobile operating systems and want to try something fresh.

Refurbished phones: Rising trend in India

The year 2013 saw shipping of around 40 million smartphones to India which was much higher than previous years. Growing technology in terms of software and hardware along with improvement in standard of living has resulted in increased use of smartphones among common people.
Middle class people prefer handsets in the range of 10-20 K but companies like Apple release their latest ones with bit higher range.
They have schemes of exchange of old iPhones for upgraded versions at lower prices in the U.S. Here in India, many companies are trying to popularize the concept of refurbished phones.
E-commerce companies like Gobol.in sell iPhones and other smartphones which are verified and tested by mobile company or seller after correcting some minor defect caused during manufacturing.
This refurbishing concept is a win-win situation for both sellers and buyers as companies increase sales with this concept whereas the customers are able to purchase a good smartphone at prices which are lower than the market. The warranty is somewhat less than the original product warranty but re-inspection of the complete product actually results in improvement of technical quality of phones.
Increasing popularity of refurbished phones will cause smartphone revolution in future as many low income groups will be able to use latest iPhones.

Now make your edible fruits from 3D printing

If you are lover of technology, then you might have probably heard about 3D printing. It is actually a modern process of creating solid object in three-dimensional form in almost any shape. The technology is already finding its application in development of organs, aerospace research and clothing industry. But recently, many news items are discussing a new cool development that is creation of fruits with this modern marvel. A Cambridge based company Dovetailed has used molecular gastronomic method known as spherification for making fruits as per requirements. Currently, the fruits which are designed include raspberries and blackcurrants but soon apples and pears are expected to be formed with this approach. Another great thing about 3D printing is that shape, flavor and color of the fruit can be modified as per demand thereby providing possibility of getting myriad of varieties. It is said that due to its application in variety of food related products and ease of use it will be beneficial not only for professional use but also in homes for food preparation. Though the fruits created are not natural, but in future they still can change the scenario of food processing industry and 3D printing itself !