There can be no doubt, about which way this journey 's leading the next few years. VR. In terms of the gaming industry OC, 's just the first step to this and its first commercial offspring.
VR requires a full modeled 3D environment, a working and plausible functionality attached to the geometry, movable, working, and it'll cause developers to include your virtual self, your avatar, shown at all times. Orientation or spatial - and situational awareness require this. Blending all off, showing nothing but the HUD remains a valid option and a good tool for those who like it, though.
It'll may take a while to see the full scope of this change but we'll be there soon enough.
Another big change in the gaming habits of players and a focus of the industry, is the broadening and new appearances of multiplayer games. Solo playing is a backbone of gaming and immersion, but we no longer have but one option (solo play) to choose. Turns out, gaming is a social activity. Even if you solo, at least you like to share your experiences with others, ever were on a BBS or net forum? See, there we are

I think, and my firm believe is, in as much as ED is a simulation-game, its a multiplayer experience.
ED is grand! Play as you like, guess the game design is smart enough, to fit anyone. Games limited to solo only, like say, the upcoming X-Rebirth, fall short and eventually lag behind. " Discover factorys and space stations swarming with life ..."
they advertise, lol no, of course this is a lie

its only your poor self, THAT damn galaxy is empty but for on sole player. You. You wouldn't bother installing, if they wouldn't try to fake a human environment. We are team players, much like our beloved dogs. The hermit is the exception. Isolated humans get sick. So paradoxically, we wouldn't want to be left alone while we play solo, hence the AI.
ED is grand, cos it doesn't has to fake this. I am not alone there (ED), you are all there besides, a galaxy swarming with life - truly!
Looking forward to meet you!
Cheers
edit
corrected some errors; sorry for the spelling