Games and technology have always enjoyed a close relationship. In more recent years they have almost because one. These days, it’s virtually impossible to think of one without the other.
Developments in VR, AR, blockchain, and the metaverse have proved lucrative too. In 2023 the global video games industry was worth around $90 billion.
But it isn’t all about fancy graphics and 3D sound, take online casinos as a prime example. They may have come a long way since their relatively late arrival on the gaming scene, but they were a hit from the off.
In the early years between 1996 to 1997, the number of online gaming sites increased from 15 to 200. Yet they only arrived on the scene in the mid-1990s.
Virgin Games, for example, enjoyed monthly revenues of $65 million in 2022 with revenues growing by 30% just in the Asian market. In the UK, games such as Wolf Gold Slot have helped to increase revenue by 20%.
So, what are these improvements in technology, those that have contributed to the figures cited above? Let’s take a quick look at some of the key players.
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Virtual Technology and Augmented Reality
With technology improving so rapidly, it may come as a surprise that modern VR has been around since the 1950s. But it didn’t really come into its own in gaming circles until 1991 when The Virtuality Group launched a bunch of games for its headset.
2016/17 is when the headset and games became both affordable and accessible, since then the technology has evolved threefold. Mixed reality devices, those that combine real life with virtual reality to create Augmented Reality, are already on the market with the next generation in constant development.
This technology has led to a greater use of AR in games. By 2027 industry experts expect this sector alone to be worth in the region $38 million.
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The Metaverse
Let’s be perfectly clear, the metaverse is already a thing whether you ‘believe’ in it or not! And online gaming is the best way to qualify the aforementioned statement.
Take Roblox as an example, an open-world gaming platform that is used by at least 50 million people. Anyone from the age of six can go online and get a taste of the Metaverse in the here and now.
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Crypto tokens
Crypto tokens, or NFTs, are often confused with cryptocurrency because they are exchangeable and allow the owner to trade with them. But Cryptocurrencies are the assets of a blockchain, whereas Crypto tokens are part of a platform that is built on a blockchain.
In practice, this means that the online gamer can choose the most efficient currency for their games. For example in Virgin Game Wolf Gold Slot mentioned earlier, players can choose a Crypto token that comes complete with a multitude of bonuses.
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Cloud Technology
Arguably, this could be the most important development on the list, certainly in the here and now when it comes to online casinos. Cloud technology has side-stepped the need for games to be played through hardware, such as a PC or a console.
It’s both easy to use and widely available to anyone in possession of a smartphone with good online access. To play a game simply download the appropriate app and get started.
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Random Number Generation
RNG doesn’t only apply to online casinos, they are used to supply random numbers whenever they are required. But, slot machines, are an invaluable part of the technology to ensure the play is both fun and fair.
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Artificial Intelligence
AI is already being used in gaming for several reasons. The most important will be to help the gaming experience through the collection of data and optimize playability in its various forms.
Of course, depending on the type of game you’re playing, some of these developments will be more relevant than others. Those playing a VR reality game such as Half-Life want to be submersed in the aesthetic quality of their experience.
However, those playing online casino games, especially the slot variety, will be focussing more on an ultimate win. But that doesn’t mean that these gamers are somehow denied the aesthetic experience of playing.
For Virgin Games, Wolf Gold Slot works by mimicking the real-life characteristics of a real-life slot machine with all the relevant bells and whistles. After all, when you’re playing to win, irrelevant sight or noise distractions won’t help to achieve your aims.
But on-point aesthetics and sounds are on hand to improve playability, while ensuring the action is always front and forward. After all, when it comes to online casinos, it’s all about winning real-life money.
Sure, state-of-the-art graphics and hyper-realistic audio are one thing for VR gamers but chasing the jackpot on the slots is another thing entirely.
