Most people associate casinos with music, large crowds, chips, fancy clothes, and a lot of alcohol. Whether this is an image drawn from experience or movies, it is safe to say that casino games are the louder and flashier side of the gaming world. In contrast, someone mentions that they love video games, and you immediately picture them sitting in front of a screen all day, in a slightly dark room, hunched over, and with headphones on – a much more relaxed scene.
Believe it or not, however, casino games and video games are not as worlds apart as you would assume at first glance. They actually have a lot in common. Casino games have been around longer, and video games tend to draw some inspiration from them. In fact, improvements in the gambling world are almost always followed by changes in the video gaming world. And with casino games going online, it only makes sense that some of it will bleed into video gaming. Let’s review how:
Improvements in Online Casino Gaming
Casino game developers are often improving their games and features to meet consumer expectations set by video game designers. For example, when the pandemic struck, most casinos optimized their game to be available online to meet the needs of players who could no longer visit physical casinos. This model of game delivery was inspired by video games, which are made available to players through consoles or online streaming services.
Similarly, just as video and online game developers are trying to overcome the recent restrictions imposed by IDFA regulations, the casino industry in the UK is finding workarounds for GamStop limitations. The GamStop service is used to restrict and limit players’ access to online gambling through self-exclusion. However, for players who would like to avoid the GamStop self-exclusion system, there are many casinos not on GamStop that are just as reliable and safe.
The move to give players an alternative to GamStop casinos is geared toward meeting consumer needs amid several restrictions and is similar to the IDFA battle in the video game industry.
The Influence of Video Games on Online Casino
Graphics quality is another area where online casinos and video games intercept. Video games are constantly improving their graphics with more realistic landscapes, avatars, and NPCs. In response, online casino game developers strive to improve the variety and quality of popular games. Popular casino games like slots are now more interactive and come in a wide range of themes. Other ways in which video games influence online casinos include:
- Online casinos borrow some video game elements and share certain genres. Recently, casino game developers started experimenting with RPG themes like a task, adventure, conquest, and mission.
- Online casino games now use anime-styled avatars to guide new players and familiarize them with their interface. These avatars are programmed in much the same way as video game characters.
- Online casino gamers can win rewards and badges which are displayed on their profiles. This reward system is similar to Xbox achievements and PlayStation trophies.
Casino Games on Video Game Consoles
Many video gamers also enjoy casino games and developers from both fields have worked and continue to work together to integrate the two experiences. This has been achieved through casino games available on video game consoles. Now, players who enjoy popular casino games like slots, poker, and blackjack but would rather avoid the real-money stakes of casino games can play them on their consoles. Popular titles in this genre include Full House Poker, Poker Night 2, Casino Nights, and Four Kings Casino and Slots.
Online Casinos: What Does the Future Hold?
A Global Industry Analysts report shows that the global online casino market will be worth $153 billion in value by 2030. For comparison, it was worth about $57 billion last year. This growth can be attributed to many factors, including the many technological advancements in the field.
Both online gaming and video gaming grow increasingly popular every year, primarily due to their ability to jump on current trends. AR and VR technology have been integrated into both industries to allow for more secure transactions, personalized and enhanced gameplay, and more realistic graphics, among other things. This will likely continue as more advancements are made in these areas.
Whatever the future holds, it is clear that online casino gaming will continue to benefit from new technology. Game developers will keep improving the gaming experience, and video game designers will adjust in kind and vice versa. All in all, it is exciting to see how these two markets continue to influence each other going forward.
Conclusion
Casino games are fun and risky because they often involve the possibility of winning – or losing – real money. Video games, similarly, are high stakes for gamers who live for high scores, leveling up, questing, and more. Whether you love one or both, it is clear now how these two seemingly different sectors of the gaming industry influence each other. You can learn more about the casino world at GamStop even as you compare the games available here with other video games.