VR

The rise of esports: How virtual reality and AI are transforming competitive gaming

By William Davis

|

Jul 24, 2023

Reading time: 3 min

Esports was once a small group of people’s hobby, but now it’s a global trend. Millions of people tune in to watch people battle in a wide range of games at these competitive gaming events. However, the use of AI and virtual reality in video games has become a hot topic for the whole industry. Their use in games could change both the action on the field and the experience of watching it.

AI has had a big effect on professional gaming because it has changed games, strategy, and how players feel about the game. Here are a few of the ways artificial intelligence is changing competitive gaming.

Game design and balancing

Essentially, artificial intelligence is used to aid programmers in building and balancing games for competitive play. Using machine learning techniques, developers can look at how players act and what they express about the game. 

Then, they can use this information to improve its features, challenges, and overall balance. This makes sure that everyone has a fair chance to fight.

Live streaming and broadcasting

AI-driven programs are used to improve how esports games are shown live and recorded. In this way, the most interesting scenes and camera views can be caught immediately and shown to the audience. These programs can also give information and research in real-time. Consequently, fans will have a more enjoyable experience and a deeper understanding of the game.

Another use of AI in streaming is on the content creator side. Former Overwatch pro Felix “xQc” Lengyel currently has an AI version of himself making waves on Twitch — it already has over 15,000 followers.

Anti-cheating mechanism

AI is a key mechanism for finding and stopping cheating in competitive video games. Essentially, AI programs can spot strange behavior and flag possible cheaters by looking at game data and trends. This helps keep the game fair and competitive for everyone, which helps keep the game’s character.

Task automation

In esports, AI streamlines most of the tedious and manual processes. This includes tasks like setting up matches, keeping track of player stats, and managing logistics. Teams and companies can then focus on what’s most important, making them more efficient and effective.

Impact of virtual reality on competitive gaming

Just like AI, VR is also an important piece in the success of esports. So, here are a few ways that virtual reality is impacting competitive gaming:

Physical interaction

Most traditional video games are played with the mouse and buttons. But by using tracking devices and motion controls, VR adds physical interaction to the game. This lets players use their natural moves to influence the game, making it more interesting and physically demanding.

Spectator experience

The Virtual Reality (VR) experience is not only great for the players but also for the spectators. By providing a first-person view of the action, it pulls viewers into the game as spectators. Fans of esports may get a better sense of what it’s like to be a part of the action by watching matches in this manner.

Enhanced realism

Realistic images, sounds, and physics models is highly possible by VR technology. As a result, it makes the game world feel more real. Also, now players can experience games in ways that are very close to what would happen in real life. So, this tech has a big effect on competitive gaming.

Dimensional awareness and strategy

VR lets players get a more exact sense of depth, distance, and size, which can have a big effect on how they play. It gives players a better sense of their surroundings in games in which knowing where they are in space is important. Most of the time, this happens in games like first-person shooters and strategy games. This makes it easier to make decisions and plan for the future.

In the end, the ability of virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to change things has had a big impact on the growth of esports. VR has changed competitive gaming by making it more real, giving players a better spatial sense, and adding physical interactions. AI, on the other hand, has helped make games fairer, improve skills, and make them easier to play.

As the esports industry grows, we can expect big changes in VR and AI technology, which will shape the future of competitive games. Together, they have also made a big difference in the world of online gambling games. It gives players the chance to play the best casino games online in a more immersive and intelligent manner.

Recommended

Helldivers 2 armor ranked

The best Helldivers 2 armor

Take down enemies with ease. Somewhat.

By Olivia Richman

|

May 15, 2024

Marvel Rivals

All Marvel Rivals characters abilities explained

Here are all of the abilities in Marvel Rivals so far.

By Olivia Richman

|

May 15, 2024

Marvel Rivals role lock

So are gamers liking Marvel Rivals?

Without role lock, is Marvel Rivals living up to the hype?

By Olivia Richman

|

May 13, 2024