Industry News
12th September 2024
Mark your calendars for September 12, 2024—National Video Games Day.
Started in 1991 this is a day dedicated to appreciating video games. From their early pixelated beginnings to the ultra-realistic experiences of today.
A crucial development in gaming history has been the advancement of broadband. Without it, modern gaming as we know it would not be possible.
The evolution of video games
The journey of video games has been nothing short of extraordinary. In the 1970s, gamers marvelled at a simple bouncing dot in Pong and the pixelated rocks of Asteroid. Fast forward to today, and we’re immersing ourselves in sprawling, detailed landscapes of games like Cyberpunk 2077. This evolution is stark when we look back at gaming’s humble beginnings.
Each new generation of hardware has pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. Today’s games offer vast, detailed environments that players can freely explore. Artificial intelligence has advanced to create more realistic characters and dynamic, responsive worlds. Online gaming now supports millions of players and experiences that early pioneers of the industry could never have imagined.
Fibre broadband: the backbone of modern gaming
One of the key ingredients enabling this leap in gaming is high-speed internet. While early games were offline or over dial-up, today’s need robust fibre broadband connections.
With fibre, gamers can enjoy low-latency online multiplayer experiences, rapid downloads, and the ability to stream games in real-time. The rise of cloud gaming services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW depends 100% on the fast and stable connections that fibre provides.
Here’s how fibre supports today’s gaming demands:
Low Latency: Online multiplayer games need split-second reactions. High latency can ruin the experience. Fibre broadband offers lower latency than traditional connections, ensuring a smooth gaming experience.
High Download Speeds: Game file sizes are larger than ever, often exceeding 100GB. Fibre broadband allows gamers to download these massive files quickly, reducing wait times.
Cloud Gaming: Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming rely on fast internet connections to stream games to your device. This bypasses the need for expensive hardware.
The future of gaming and broadband
As we look toward the future, continued improvements in fast broadband will further enhance the gaming landscape. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and AI-driven gaming experiences have already arrived.
How to celebrate National Video Games Day
On September 12, take time to appreciate how far gaming has come and consider the role the internet now plays in making games possible. Celebrate by diving into a multiplayer game, exploring the latest releases, going retro or even trying a cloud gaming service.
If your current broadband isn’t up to speed yet, check what service Grain can offer in your area or take a look at our gaming page