iGaming, and the world of video gaming, has grown almost exponentially in the last couple of decades – since the burgeoning internet made it possible for games to be played online and with friends, and video game designers have made every innovation count when it comes to player experience.
iGaming can include everything from playing online slots in Canada to taking part in global Fortnite tournaments on the PC, and it also covers things like mobile gaming and consoles too.
There are a few developments in the works when it comes to iGaming – and while some of these are still in development, others are already making their mark in the online gaming world and that is set to continue and grow.
5G connectivity
One of the biggest boosts to iGaming has been the spread of 5G. Now, you can connect (reliably) to the internet from all sorts of different locations, playing games wherever you are.
This has meant that players are able to get involved in their favorite games wherever they are, from waiting for a bus or an appointment or while they are killing time on a break at work.
With this technology, mobile gaming is going to grow massively, and that means that the innovative smartphones and tablets are going to develop even faster.
Monetization
This is an important part of the iGaming landscape – game designers and promoters want to make money.
Simple monetization – purchasing a game to play – has been around for decades, of course, but freemium mobile gaming content and free-to-play games on PC and console platforms add another layer of money-making for the gaming companies.
They offer a free to download game that you can play, and then you have the option of purchasing extras that can help you in the game. This can include special weapons or even ‘skins’ for your avatars, and it has proven to be a strategy that works, especially when you consider that the top ten list of highest grossing games on any platform includes several that are free to download.
Monetization also covers the different payment types that can be used to access the services, from credit and debit cards through to eWallets and even (in some cases) cryptocurrency.
Cloud Gaming
The Cloud has made storing documents and other important information much easier – it is essentially an online storage locker for all sorts of things.
When it comes to gaming, one of the things that the cloud offers are the opportunity to access and store a lot of games without needing expensive hard drive storage. This makes it easier for players to play their games wherever they are.
Companies are making the most of this by allowing gamers to purchase subscription services that allow access to certain games for free for a certain amount of time.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence has been getting a lot of press recently, but in truth gaming companies have been using basic forms of AI for years in creating Non-Playable Characters. NPCs in video games are the added characters that you cannot control, but you might need to interact with to complete a stage.
Now, AI and machine learning has a hand in creating more random occurrences with NPCs, but it also helps to create individualized experiences especially in so-called ‘sandbox’ games, learning how you play and working with (or against) you to make things more interesting.
Design and Graphics
The same technology that renders beautiful details in our favorite movies is being used to create excellent games too – and that means that as the innovation that brings us superhero blockbusters develops, so does the design of our favorite games.
Ray tracing technology, AI-developed backgrounds, and 4K visuals are the norm for even the basic games, and we will see that development as things get bigger.
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality is something that has been discussed for decades, and the current level of technology that we have relies on expensive add-ons to our consoles or PCs to allow play.
In a VR game, there is usually a 3D environment that you can move around in and interact with, and players have to wear goggles or headsets.
This expensive and specialized equipment includes things like Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive, but there are other devices and designs in the works that mean the Metaverse might not be as farfetched as it feels right now.
A similar idea is Augmented Reality. AR is present most obviously in mobile gaming, especially in titles like Pokémon Go – and this involves the game overlaying real-world surroundings. Blending game mechanics with things that are actually around makes you feel more like you are really in the game.
As technology in the wider world develops, the opportunity for games develops in the same way – and it is an exciting time for iGaming in the future.
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