by: Meghan Malinowski

Ever since computers popped into the world and has become a vital and common part of almost every household, the means in which users entertain themselves has changed. Years and years ago, kids would play outside, read, or listen to the radio to past the time. Now, children even before they can speak, use the computer to play on-line games. Games are so popular that now there are virtual industries and companies making money of the on-line game users. Any person will agree that computers change year after year, but in twenty-five years, the year 2033, how will the gaming industry be different? Even though the gaming industry itself will become more developed and sophisticated through the use of touch screens, interactive gaming, and a charge to access the internet, the threat of hackers and cyber criminals will be virtually eliminated.

With the gaming industry already exceeding $1.1 billion in revenue as off 2008 (O’Reilly), in 2033 we can only expect this number to rise even greatly. This huge amount of money coming in will lead to better gaming techniques and strategies. In twenty-five years, online game players will be able to interact with others across the globe by a touch screen in the computer. Users can move their characters and items around the screen without the use of the mouse. Tapping in certain patterns or certain parts of the virtual character will also be able to trigger different movements such as fighting, dancing, or walking.

To prevent other users from just touching another’s character and stealing items, a password will have to be set when a user begins using the touch screen. This password, rather than a set of letters and numbers, will be the user’s finger print, making it nearly impossible for anyone to hack into another person’s computer to steal valuable items and information.

Since money is needed in virtual world games such as Second Life and World of Warcraft, hackers retrieving credit card information has become a problem. With this new touch screen, the finger print can also be used when making purchases on-line. If some one unfortunately does get another user’s credit card number, they will not be authorized to make any charges to it without the proper finger print. This will drastically cut down cases of identity theft and stolen funds. Users of on-line games will now be able to actually enjoy the game and have fun without worrying too much about their money being stolen. In regards to purchases online, the computer will learn and adapt to what the user buys, both on virtual world sites and actual retail sites. The computer “will upgrade itself new services to its occupants. Changing computer preferences are measured based on past purchase history […]and documented to provide specific advertisements and purchase recommendations for people” (Dolan). Shopping anywhere will become more streamlined with more consumer preference.

In addition to the touch screen, the online gaming experience will become more interactive and not involve sitting at a chair in front of a desk. The computer itself will be able to protect the images from the screen onto the walls of whichever room the computer is in. Any room has the ability to be transformed into a forest, an ocean, or a desert by still using the touch screen. The touch screen will also function when an image projected on the wall is touched. Through this innovation, children will not have the chance to aimlessly browse sites on the internet and open themselves up to criminals. Children will be up out of the chair and jumping around the room touching the projected images all over the walls. They will not have a chance to become bored and decide to talk to that strange person that all of a sudden sent them an instant message asking their gender and age. Through this innovation, kids will have the chance to use their imagination and will be “momentarily forgetting whether you're [they are] in the real or virtual world” (Wong).

In 2033, there will be constant flow of information to internet users and accessible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The meshing “of sources will allow speed and access, but will also limit or eliminate competition of that information” (Swanson). On the down side, in 2033 the government will have control over every aspect of the internet. Government control of the internet may seem awful, but it will cut down tremendously the number of adults that prey on young innocent children through chat rooms and instant messenger. If a child’s parents do not want to pay money to access chat rooms, that threat of their child being abused is eliminated. Just like ordering and paying for cable television, the government will start charging people money based off of how much time they spend online and which sites that they frequent. There will be packages that users can buy from, perhaps game site packages, instant messenger and email, shopping packages, and music packages that will be offered just like how HBO, Stars, and Show Time are currently offered. All sites will be available to everyone, but the sites not purchased in specific packages will be charged to a user’s account based on how long that site was open. A banner will appear in the corner with a timer counting down how much time was spent at that site. From this, parents will monitor what their children do on the internet more and more closely since they are now being charged for it. Parents would not want to have to pay an extra $100 a month just because their child went on a site that was not purchased in the internet package.

The computer and the internet serve as countless things for countless amounts of people. The internet can be used for gaming, researching, or shopping. Since so many people use the computer for different jobs, cyber crime has become more popular and huge worry. No one should be afraid to use a tool that is such a vital and important aspect of every day life and that will only grown more valuable and more significant over time. In the year 2033 when the touch screen, interactive game playing, and government control are implemented in computers and on-line the words “hacker” and “cyber criminal” will be obsolete.


Works Cited

Dolan, Mary Beth. "Imagining the Internet." A Vision for the Future. 2008. Elon University. 01
Nov. 2008 <http://www.elon.edu/predictions/contributedprediction.aspx?id=1438>.

O'Reilly, Jayson. "Virtual Worlds, Real Attacks." ITWeb. 8 Sept. 2008. 3 Oct. 2008
<http://www.itweb.co.za/sections/techforum/2008/0809080841.asp?s=security&a=sec&o=google>.

Swanson, Bethany. "Imagining the Internet." A Vision for the Future. 2008. Elon University. 01
Nov. 2008 <http://www.elon.edu/predictions/contributedprediction.aspx?id=1441>.

Wong, David. "A World of Warcraft World." 10 Ways Online Game Playing Will Change the
Future. 2007. 01 Nov. 2008 <http://www.cracked.com/article_15657_10-ways-online-gaming-will-change-future.html>.