The online casino industry is branching out. Gone are the days of 8-bit imagery and pixelated playing cards, as a new era of enhanced graphics, innovative gameplay, and excitement have been came in. With this glitz and glamour comes a challenge for the industry – how can casino providers stand out from competitors?

The answer lies in the equally giant and rapidly growing sector, the gaming industry. It is constantly innovating, with new games and technologies being released all the time. It will help to create a more engaging and enjoyable experience for players. They can also attract new players and grow their business.

So, given below are our pointers regarding what can the online casino industry learn from the gaming industry.

Updated tech

Gaming on the PlayStation 4 is different to what gaming on the PlayStation 5 will be like. Each generation of console brought with it new functionality, new graphics, and something new for players to interact with. While some of it didn’t work as well – such as the massively large controller that came with the original Xbox or Nintendo’s first attempt at VR with the Virtual Boy back in the 1990s, each console promises something different to the previous one.

The same could be said of Nintendo, who has offered something different with each console and handheld culminating in the Nintendo Switch. Online casino games must ensure that they are constantly reinventing what is on offer. We can see this through the evolution of online poker, for example. From a standard version of Texas Hold ‘Em to a variety of different variants to many different rooms offering live poker, each new tech advancement has informed where table games have gone.

Variety of content

There are tons of variety in games are available – battle, first-person shooters, fun, city building, and even life simulation. Each of them have diehard fan bases and ready-made audiences for any new releases. Mobile gaming has furthered the amount of content, offering action games, puzzle games, and strategy games while following fairly simple gameplay. Games such as Candy Crush Saga have gained a huge following with billions of downloads.

The online casino industry does have a wide range of games too. As Paddy Power online betting games show, slot games are taking on various themes, table games with multiple variants, and games specifically with certain jackpots, as well as games based on popular game shows like Deal or No Deal. Having this variety of content helps people become engaged with a site as much as they can with a console or a game series.

The easier the game is to complete, the less likely it is to make an impression and garner a following. So, sites can learn from this by making sure there is plenty for customers to engage with. Keeping this up is key to engaging with new customers and keeping older ones. 

Innovation – AR and VR in Casino games

One way that online casinos can innovate is by offering new types of games. For example, online casinos could offer games that are based on popular TV shows or movies, or they could offer games that are played in real-time with other players. Online casinos could also innovate by using new technologies, such as VR or AR.

Here are some examples of how online casinos have innovated in recent years:

• Pragmatic Play launched its first VR casino game, Mega Wheel, in 2020. The game allows players to experience a live casino table game in a fully immersive environment.
• Microgaming launched its first augmented reality game, Mega Moolah VR*, in 2021. The game allows players to interact with the game world in a way that was not possible before.
• Evolution Gaming launched its first live casino game with interactive features, Dream Catcher*, in 2016. The game allows players to interact with the game by clicking on different segments of the wheel.

Graphics and gameplay

Gaming companies invest heavily in graphics and gameplay to create immersive and engaging experiences. Online casino industry can follow suit by offering games with high-quality graphics and smooth gameplay.

Players want to feel like they are transported to another world when they play at an online casino. High-quality graphics can help to create that illusion. Online casinos need to make sure that their games play smoothly. Players don’t want to have to wait for the game to load or for the graphics to catch up with their actions.

Sound effects can help to immerse players in the game. Online casinos should use realistic sound effects to create a more immersive experience. It can help to attract new players and keep existing players coming back for more.

Storytelling in games

Gaming companies often use storytelling to create games that players can connect with emotionally. Online casino industry can use storytelling to create games that are more than just about gambling. They can tell stories that engage players and make them feel like they are part of something bigger.

Players should be able to connect with the characters in the story. The characters should be believable and sympathetic. It should have some twists and turns to keep players guessing. It can also be stretched to more parts, so that you anticipations remains build up. But, doing so, you need to make sure that you don’t kill the essence of the story and its characters. With every ending, it must be more engaging.

When players share stories about their experiences playing at an online casino, it can help to create a sense of community among players. This can make players feel more connected to the casino and to each other. Stories about the negative consequences of gambling can help to educate players about the risks involved. This can help players to gamble more responsibly.

Gaming community

This one is a great tip for online casino industry. Gaming companies create online communities where players can connect with each other and share their experiences. Online casinos can follow suit by creating online communities where players can chat, share tips, and learn from each other. This can help players feel more connected to the casino and to each other, and it can also help them to learn from each other and improve their gambling skills.

There should be a forum or chat room. This will give players a place to connect with each other and share their experiences. Participation people can also be given a reward or some extra cash / points, which will help in gaming. Players can share their favorite games and strategies with each other, and this can help other players to find new games to play and to learn new ways to win.

Online casino industry can host events for their players, such as tournaments, giveaways, and meet-and-greets with celebrities. This can help to create a sense of excitement and camaraderie among players, and it can also help to promote the casino to new players. Players who are part of a community are more likely to be loyal to the casino, as they feel like they are part of something special. This can lead to increased profits for the casino.

Conclusion

The casino industry is one of fierce competition. The level playing field often leaves customers with so much choice and difficulty to make it, with many factors considered in the final decision. Some opt for short-term benefits of welcome bonuses, while others may consider the longer term and what loyalty schemes are on offer.

Learning from video gaming is one way in which casino providers can strive to stand out and attract more players.