Computers have transformed workplaces, altering the way people store, send, and receive data. Computers have also expanded recreational activities by providing a platform for playing video games.
The gaming industry’s worth exceeded $100 billion in 2017 and has continued to grow at a rapid pace. Three’s a cyclical relationship between consumer demand, software, and gaming hardware. Consumer demand influences the development of software and gaming hardware. Let’s examine how software development affects gaming hardware and how consumer demand drives the development process.
Software development companies impact the gaming industry
Suppose you’re turning to a top nearshore software development company to produce custom gaming software. You can use a software development team to design software, write the code, test the code, and deliver the product. Software development teams have the resources needed and expertise required to create customized software. When developing new software, they may introduce features that work with specific types of computer hardware. The design characteristics incorporated by the software development team may prompt consumers to purchase new types of equipment instead of using old equipment that isn’t as effective.
Software design could also influence consumer purchases by favoring hardware design features. Perhaps the software developers produced a game that requires gamers to scroll up and down the page. Players may favor using gaming mice with scroll wheels instead of mice without scroll wheels.
Hardware design features impact software developers
Gamers searching for the best gaming mice on the market consider many features. The inclusion of a scroll wheel may be a selling feature. Many gamers also favor gaming mice with programmable buttons, enabling them to customize their mouse to suit their gameplay.
Some players may prefer wireless gaming mice, so they don’t have to worry about cables. Those interested in a wireless mouse may prioritize battery life over other features, particularly if they’re pro gamers who stream their gameplay or compete in gaming tournaments. The last thing pro gamers want to worry about during a tournament is a dead mouse.
Software developers may study the most popular gaming mice on the market, identify the features gamers prefer, and use that data to inform their software designs. Some of the best gaming mice today include the Logitech G502 Lightspeed, Razer Deathadder V2, Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro SE, SteelSeries Rival 3, and MSI GM30 Clutch gaming mice. Gamers who play first-person shooter (FPS) games tend to favor the Razer Deathadder V2 gaming mouse because it has the correct number of buttons needed for FPS games. In contrast, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) gamers need a gaming mouse with more programmable buttons than the Razer Deathadder V2 offers.
Software designs may influence hardware developers
Understanding how mouse characteristics impact gameplay helps designers produce ideal games for popular hardware already on the market. However, sometimes gaming developments might motivate hardware developers to alter current products or introduce new items that work with new software. For example, computer games that favor players using a stylus instead of their fingertips may introduce a new lightweight stylus design that works with PC games.
Some hardware and software development is linked from the development phase
Today, people use Bluetooth headphones to listen to music or movies. They use phones and cameras to perform tasks and transform data. Bluetooth adapters even make it possible to connect computers and old printers wirelessly.
Bluetooth allows people to enjoy hands-free access to their smartphones when driving, and Bluetooth also makes it easy to connect computer components wirelessly. Bluetooth technology includes both hardware and software. The goal of creating a wireless connection between electronic devices influenced hardware and software developers to work together to produce a product for that purpose, showing the close link between hardware and software development.
Software development can influence hardware developers when they’re producing gaming equipment. Gaming hardware designs may also influence software developers. Consumer demand, software development, and hardware development all influence each other.