The triumph of the video game market is undeniable. Gaming is now one of the most popular hobbies in the world; and plenty would go so far as to call the 2020s the decade of video games. There are those who believe that we live in a Golden Era of gaming. That is an apt descriptor considering that games are now generating a lot more revenue than at any point in their history.
It is no wonder that gamification has become the buzzword of our time. But to call it a buzzword may be a disservice. We can clearly see how businesses related and unrelated to gaming are adopting tropes and traits from video games. In this text we would like to focus on the newly emerging iGaming market; and discuss how it relates to the rise of video games.
What iGaming Has Learned from Games
The iGaming industry is at a level that many never thought would be possible. What is even more impressive is that it is continuing to grow. Many factors went into elevating the industry to its current status. Affiliate platforms like Casinofy certainly played a role. Their goal is to share the latest trends and developments in the industry. They discuss live dealer casinos and updates on slot games with a level of transparency that is only possible thanks to the modern technological advancements of the 21st century.
But affiliate platforms are not the sole reason that online casinos are thriving. There is also the fact that young game developers learn and study gaming and incorporate their lessons into casino game development. It is why we’ve gotten so many slots that bear a striking resemblance to popular games that are just coming out. It is also the main reason that gamification is the hot new trend in online gambling.
iGaming and Gamification
Gamification is a term that has become widely used in the business world. It describes the phenomenon of markets adopting video game-esque traits in order to appeal to a wider population. Competitiveness is a big part of gaming for example; even outside of video games. The reveal for the MTG lineup has got many excited about what the future of the card game will be like in the competitive scene. It is why iGaming has decided to bring a level of competition to the industry.
If we were to visit online casinos now we might see promotions for slot or blackjack tournaments. Traditional blackjack is not a very competitive game. The player and the dealer are locked into a game of wits for sure. But players don’t usually compete against one another. But online casinos are changing that in the hopes of pushing the industry further and attracting new fans. We also see leaderboards have become a lot more prominent at modern gambling websites.
It’s a Two Way Street
Gamification is a popular term for a reason. But it would be unfair to say that iGaming is the only one benefitting from the relationship. The link between gaming and gambling is somewhat symbiotic. Loot boxes for example have become a pretty prominent aspect of the gaming industry. It is easy to see how classic casino games like slots or video poker have played a role in inspiring this new feature of the industry.
Another way in which iGaming affects the video game market is eSports. Competition is the name of the game when it comes to online play. And eSports takes competition to the next level. Professional players go toe-to-toe in some of the most noteworthy titles on the market. Betting websites have now begun embracing eSports as their popularity grows. Betting on competitive gaming is quickly growing and becoming the fastest new way to gamble on sports.
Final Thoughts
The relationship between games and gambling is not new. Many of the older games took mechanical inspiration from the luck-based gameplay of casino titles like roulette and blackjack. Today, games are returning the favor by inspiring online casinos to improve and cast a wider net. The symbiotic relationship is truly fascinating; and we are not surprised that so many gamers are making the transition to iGaming in the 21st century.
