For many, some of the first thoughts that pop to mind when thinking about casinos are that of large bustling crowds, bright flashing lights bouncing from game screens, and of course, the sounds from slot machines ringing.
Over the last few years, the casino industry has been moving more online, with a direct rise in players choosing to go digital, specifically over a time such as the worldwide pandemic where many actual physical land casinos have had to close down for now. Increasing in popularity, the online casino market is, in fact, growing by 10% each year.
But it’s not only the platform that has changed, and the slot games themselves are also vastly different than compared to ten years ago.
As the video gaming industry continues to rise in popularity, the casino industry it seems has slowly been taking notes, adapting elements from the gaming world.
Honing in on this industry themselves, take a look at exactly how slot games/machines have borrowed such elements and techniques from video games and how they’re being utilised in online casinos today.
What is gamification?
“Gamiwhat?” In layman’s terms, it’s incorporating the use of popular gaming and video elements that you would find from video/online games into the layout and setup of online casino games.
Looking back at classic casino games, especially the slot machines, the setup consisted of simply playing cards or only three reels at a slot machine. With today’s modern times and the digital age upon us, there is now a need for certain changes, with millennials now seeking and wanting a different experience.
One can even say that the gaming industry itself has created this need for diversity and a different user-experience through its technological advancements. If you haven’t experienced gamification in online casinos yet you probably don’t play much it only takes a quick skim of the reviews of some of the most popular casinos to see aspects that are being borrowed. From the graphics through to the RPG style game modes being implemented.
The smaller features being borrowed
Slot games in the past have always been quite simple; you put your money in, spin the reel and hope with all your might that you win. Today, it’s a different reel-game and the slot games themselves look vastly different, from graphics quality to features.
Extra additives such as Leaderboards, originally borrowed from the iconic arcade game, Pacman, which displays the names of players competing in listicle order, creates a sense of competition.
Exhibiting other examples of video game elements, online casinos are now using anime-styled avatars to guide new players around the online casino, or players can now win badges which are displayed on your player profile – similar to that of Xbox achievements or PlayStation Trophies.
New genres
It’s not just the beloved video gaming elements that are being borrowed by online casinos, but in fact, they’re also using the same genres.
So, new online casinos are in fact creating their own RPG-styled games (Role-playing games). Here, they’ve combined the popular video gaming element of completing a mission/task/conquest/adventure with the sole purpose of gambling – which is to win.
Today’s online casino see games with different maps that can be travelled, there are rough and tough bosses to beat and reward chests for receiving that can be gained throughout the game. Sticking to true RPG style, online casino games now even have their own storyline, as well as narrative.
Ever heard of MMORPG? MMO itself stands for Massively Multiplayer Online-game and they’re a new type of video slot games that are being developed, in which the entire experience now replicates that of a full-on video game.
One company, Native Gaming, are already on it and have created an MMO slot game that uses a Monster Capturing mechanic system (as it used in Pokémon Go). It allows you to collect monsters which can then be used to battle in a bid to try to win you money.
As we age forward digitally, it’s no surprise that online platforms have begun to increase in their popularity. As we advance, so do our technologies and with the way the world is moving, it seems that most businesses across all industries may need to consider heading in this direction too.
It’s interesting to note the small, yet pivotal advancements taking place in-industry, so least you don’t get left behind. Slot games borrowing elements and techniques from video games is simply one prime example, which leads us to wonder what will be the next big one?