The sun can really put a damper on your daytime gaming plans. Even adjusting the screen brightness to its highest level doesn't make it easier to see those approaching Nazi zombies. But new technology like assertive display, used most notably in the Nokia Lumia 1520, might solve this common but annoying problem. The technology works with both the device's display settings as well as the individual pixels on the screen to adapt the content for optimal viewing.
When thinking about the future of gaming, it's hard to ignore Oculus Rift, the first foray into virtual gaming that's not a hokey letdown. While it will be years before this type of gaming is mainstream, more than 10,000 development kits are in circulation, meaning there's plenty of developers hard at work creating something amazing for the eventual release.
Another trend to watch is augmented reality, as seen in the video above. Allowing players to interact with a game set in their own world (as opposed to a completely virtual one), augmented reality is quickly becoming more popular, both in and out of games.
We're looking right at you, Microsoft. While the Playstation Camera can accompany the PS4, Microsoft put motion sense technology in the spotlight, with voice commands and interactions with the more powerful Kinect camera central to gameplay and navigating the menus. And let's not forget about the still-popular Nintendo Wii, which has been motioned controlled since its inception in 2006.
With motion sensing becoming more mainstream, gamers should expect to see it integrated more heavily with actual gameplay. Early demos from E3 showed players raising their controllers slightly while playing to engage shields or leaning while going around turns in a racing game -- both uses of motion sense technology we'd love to see in real gameplay.
The trendsetting Wii U didn't take with gamers as planned, but it has certainly pushed other developers and consoles to get onboard with second screen. The features of Microsoft's Xbox Smartglass have grown with each update, but it's by no means the only option. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed: Black Flag also comes with a companion app that gamers can use as an interactive map, making gameplay more comfortable and easier to navigate. Expect more second screen options to emerge as more next-gen games are released.
As PCs and consoles duke it out for blockbusters like Call of Duty: Ghosts and Battlefield 4, the mobile space has steadily gained traction all year, moving away from the free-to-play model in favor of more real-money, high-end premium games. This has taken a considerable chunk of business away from handhelds from Sony and Nintendo, according to Asymco, but it's still unclear how it will affect console sales.
While hardcore gamers will undoubtedly upgrade to next-gen consoles, new customers might choose to use their tablets or smartphones for gaming instead of a console that costs between $400 and $500.
One of the most exciting new features of both the Xbox One and the PS4 is the ease of sharing to Twitch, UStream and social sites such as Facebook. Both consoles' sharing services are so intuitive and ingrained that it means you no longer have to be some sort of computer genius to show off your skills. Gamers can record, edit and share clips right from their consoles.
No one can say 2013 was a slow year for gaming news. Two extremely popular next-gen consoles, the rise of indie games, and the release of groundbreaking blockbusters like Bioshock Infinite and Grand Theft Auto V have kept our gamer thumbs strong.
But that isn't stopping us from looking ahead to what's coming next. We looked at the biggest trends and breakthroughs of the last year to see what 2014 might hold. From augmented reality to assertive displays to the rise of mobile, there's a lot to dream about, even beyond this list.
See also: Oculus Rift Makers Raise $75 Million in New Funding
No one can know for sure what 2014 will bring, but these budding trends made us excited to be gamers in 2013. What do you want to see more of in the coming year? More cross-platform gaming? A better second screen experience?
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Image: Mashable, Christina Ascani