For all the talk of 5G of late, few seem to know what it actually means or what it allows one to do. 5G simply refers to the fifth generation of mobile technology, allowing smart handheld devices to connect and create networks wirelessly.
Such technology allows for everything as standard and banal as online messaging and viewing web pages, to the more recent staples of digital communications such as video conference calls. Though 5G’s capabilities do not begin and end at these features alone.
So where does gaming fit in? Is on-the-go gaming possible with 5G technology? The short answer is, yes, you can game on the go using 5G. But there’s quite a bit more to it than that. For starters, it’s highly dependent on your game of choice.
Choosing the Right Game for Mobile Play
Mobile games were once viewed as frivolous, inferior products compared to their computer and console counterparts, but the once humble category of gaming has seen something of a revolution in recent years. Mobile games like Genshin Impact have lent an air of legitimacy to smartphone play that was previously reserved for more heavy-duty hardware.
A large factor in Genshin Impact’s global success is that the gameplay itself is not particularly demanding when it comes to connectivity. This really is key, as although 5G is the most sophisticated mobile technology to date, the very nature of mobile gameplay means that connectivity will be in flux depending on your location.
With this in mind, games that depend less on consistent, strong connections are still your best bet when playing games on 5G. That doesn’t, however, mean that your options will be limited. Within the remit of low-internet needs games you’ll find stylish RPGs like the aforementioned Genshin Impact, augmented reality games like the ever-popular Pokemon Go, and even some of the best online casinos.
The Pros and Cons of Gambling on the Go
When it comes to putting the capabilities of 5G to the test, few are working harder than online casino sites. Most gambling sites are now designed with a mobile-first approach in mind, meaning they are intended to be run on handheld devices. In addition to layouts and images created to better suit a smaller screen, the games offered have also been chosen and developed to best suit the connectivity of a roaming device.
Perhaps the biggest boon to the mobile gambling industry, as far as 5G gaming is concerned, is the addition of live casino suites. Visit any casino site these days and you’re likely to find a section dedicated to live games. These games allow players to play against a professional dealer, often streaming in high definition video from a studio or even some of the most high-end gambling resorts in the world.
Naturally, video streaming like this, or rather the clarity of image and stability of the stream, depends on a strong internet connection. 5G availability makes this a seamless and immersive gameplay experience, but there is always the risk that you’ll end up in an area with spotty 5G coverage, especially as the technology is still in the process of being rolled out worldwide.
One clear downside of on-the-go gaming, and particularly gambling, is that it can be a real distraction from daily life and may become a habit. After all, why suffer the tedium of a long bus ride when you can escape into the excitement of a thrilling casino? It’s very tempting, and this can become problematic for some players. Luckily, all legitimate casino sites have several features to protect players from habit-forming behaviours. For instance, most will offer self-exclusion options, which allow players to block themselves from accessing the site.
Casino sites also typically provide links to responsible gambling organisations, such as GAMSTOP and GambleAware, all of which are available at all times at the site’s footer. It doesn’t remove the temptation that mobile gameplay presents, but it is at least a lifeline for those who feel their playing habits have become too consuming.
What Does the Future Hold?
Whenever a new technology emerges, much is made of how it will change our lives drastically. Usually, these predictions are somewhat overblown. Time and again we’ve been shown wearable tech that allows for non-stop full-immersion in augmented reality, but these gadgets rarely gain much traction – largely due to their prohibitive costs.
5G, however, seems like a small step in the greater trajectory of our tech-infused lives. Rather than completely upending things, it makes certain applications – such as mobile gameplay – that bit smoother, easier, more intuitive. While this is certainly a positive for those who enjoy gaming in their downtime, it does mean the ever-increasing presence of technology in our already highly digitised lives creeps on, which might give some people pause. Like it or not, 5G and gaming in all its forms are here to stay, and both are only likely to become more sophisticated as time wears on.
