While attending BIG Festival recently, we had the pleasure of meeting influential figures in the industry and learning about their keys to success.
One of those figures was Tom Petreca, Tencent’s lead technology strategist for Latin America. During his presentation, Petreca discussed how game developers can utilize Tencent’s technology to enhance their games and take them to the next level.
Tencent is a major player in the gaming industry, and for good reason. As one of the largest tech companies globally, Tencent places a strong emphasis on mobile gaming and is dedicated to creating immersive and enjoyable experiences for players. Petreca provided insights into how developers can leverage Tencent’s technology to achieve this goal.
One particular technology that stood out was the Game Multimedia Engine (GME). This software focuses on audio and voice play, enhancing immersion in games by elevating audio design and enabling voice communication and spatial interaction. For example, in multiplayer games, players who are not in the same party can still communicate based on their in-game distance.
Petreca defined immersion as the “interaction that exists between the virtual game and the physical world.” Spatial audio plays a crucial role in making a game feel more realistic and taking its design to new heights.
Immersion has become an increasingly important aspect in gaming. In the recent console wars, Sony prioritized immersion through 3D audio and haptic feedback, resulting in the PS5 outselling the Xbox Series X by a significant margin. Simply having visually appealing and well-designed sound elements is no longer enough when other games are incorporating innovative technology to create a more lifelike experience. By utilizing Tencent’s technology, developers can differentiate their products and gain a competitive edge over other games in the market.
Petreca also highlighted two key infrastructure elements that have improved the gaming experience for users: Anti-Cheat Expert (ACE) and WeTest. ACE helps detect cheats and exploits, while WeTest focuses on quality assurance and performance testing.
Gaming has evolved from a niche interest to becoming the most profitable sector in the entertainment industry, thriving on collaboration. Companies across the gaming industry are constantly developing tailored systems and technologies. While it may be tempting for companies to keep their technologies exclusive, licensing these systems can benefit the overall gaming ecosystem. Cheating, for instance, remains a significant issue in online games, leading to unfair advantages and frustration among players. Gamers are likely to seek out other games if they encounter poor quality or poorly optimized gameplay.
WeTest continuously monitors games to identify any quality issues, both before and after launch. Therefore, Tencent’s technology not only enhances accessibility and immersion but also ensures a smoother gaming experience for players, reducing frustration. Petreca specifically mentioned the positive impact on cheating in PUBG Mobile, which saw a 90% decrease after implementing ACE.
For independent developers, creating proprietary systems to address common issues can be expensive. In such cases, companies like Tencent, which have already developed functional technologies, can license them to other developers. This arrangement allows developers to save costs and allocate their budgets to other areas.
Overall, Tencent’s technology offers valuable solutions for game developers seeking to enhance their games and provide players with unforgettable experiences.