The iGaming market has been growing steadily for decades, and one of the key features of its evolution has been the strong influence that consumers have on everything from the hardware available to the way games are made. With so much potential growth in iGaming, there are a variety of industries that could benefit from nurturing the sector and encouraging its growth.
One of the main benefits of being in the tech industry is the vast amount of data available to give instant and honest feedback about the product. Games studios can analyse player engagement and identify areas where they could make improvements, from major overhauls to minor tweaks that improve the player experience.
This has been one of the most important ways in which gaming has consistently delivered player-focused products and services, creating new markets and expanding existing ones. Gaming platforms will be keen to make the most of some of these trends:
Mobile gaming
Some of the most important iGaming trends are consumer-led, and the rise in mobile gaming has seen a number of products aimed specifically at those gaming on the go. Phones designed specifically for gamers have become more and more popular, with stellar predictions for the size of the market in the coming years.
As well as consumer demand, the growth in the gaming phone market can also be attributed to the evolution of the technology that makes them popular. Mobile processors are becoming more powerful, meaning that players who favour intricate, graphics-heavy games are no longer limited to PC or console gaming.
Mobile gaming apps are maintaining their popularity, so although this has been a growth area for years, there are still opportunities for gaming platforms to deliver mobile-friendly games in all categories. Offering bonuses for mobile users can also increase take-up, and sites such as Bonusfinder.com help players in Michigan find the offers that work best for them.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a part of everyday life, from asking for life advice to creating whole worlds full of AI-generated content. There are a variety of uses in the gaming industry, all of which benefit the players.
Artificial intelligence can be used to ensure player security, particularly on casino sites where players’ money is at stake. AI can be trained to identify unusual patterns of betting and playing, allowing operators to remove bots and other automated ‘players’ as soon as they are identified.
AI can also be used to make games more responsive and fun to play. By ‘learning’ how a player responds to different aspects of a game, AI can help tailor the game to suit their playing style. This can work on all kinds of games, from slot machines to blackjack dealers, making it more fun and engaging for each player.
For more involved games, artificial intelligence can also be used for individual world-building, creating infinite versions of the game depending on which decisions you make. With so many popular role-playing games, AI is being incorporated more and more to generate worlds and scenarios specific to each player.
Artificial intelligence has also been a real boon to the customer service side of gaming, with chatbots being increasingly used to handle standard queries. This not only reduces waiting times for players who only need directing to the right area of the website, but it frees up human agents for more complex queries.
Virtual reality
When the idea of livestreamed casino gaming was first conceived, the technology simply wasn’t up to the job. Since the moment the technology caught up, online video streaming has become more and more popular to the point where players have high expectations of authentic casino experiences.
Virtual reality has taken that experience up a notch, allowing players to interact with one another in a virtual gaming space. Virtual casinos have all the best parts of a real casino, but with the flexibility and convenience of playing from home.
Personalised gaming
As more and more services and products are becoming available on-demand, gaming is embracing the trend for personalised gaming experiences. Using a combination of all the new technologies available, players have the potential to enter a virtual casino that’s been automatically generated to suit their tastes.
Surrounded by their choice of decor, with a dealer programmed to deliver excellent service, and games designed to suit each individual’s preferences – who wouldn’t want to play in this futuristically personalised gaming environment?
As technology continues to deliver advances at astonishing rates, there are more and more features that can be incorporated into gaming. From increased security, a glossary to player-specific game design, there are so many ways that the iGaming market can continue to impress players.
Platforms that want to capitalise on the current trends will also be contributing to the next trends, making gaming safer and more fun for players the world over for years to come.