The face of gaming is drastically different from 10 years ago and nearly unrecognizable from 20 years ago. What it will be in 10 is anyone’s guess, but we can predict some closer trends and emerging technologies as we witness the iGaming industry’s first steps. An overwhelming amount of information is readily available, so it can be hard to discern what’s important and what isn’t, so our handy list of key features should help.
1. AI Learning
We may not like it, but machines are taking over, one function at a time. The automotive industry is using AI to assemble cars or assist in making them, and it’s no wonder AI is spreading over to the iGaming industry. But what benefits can the industry reap from AI implementations? Plenty, from data gathering, fraud detection, and assistance in decision making, to name a few, all leading to designing better games.
Sites like those one the list by Business2Community receive terabytes of raw data daily from many gamers, and each set can provide valuable information for improvement, but processing it can be a hassle without AI. iGaming sites offer fantastic welcome bonuses, a safe playing environment, and fast payouts, hence their appeal to a growing number of players. Many features and upgrades are from meticulous planning and data analysis, which AI can streamline and improve.
2. Augmented and Virtual Reality
Dreams are coming to life right in front of our eyes, literally. VR and AR technology will be the next big step, as they will allow us to “live” inside the gaming world or fuse our world with the virtual one. VR headsets can mimic the environment of any gaming casino, for example, letting you walk and interact with a virtual environment.
You can see other players, dealers, and tables, sit and play from the comfort of your home, and experience how exotic casinos look without leaving your couch. Augmented reality can best be described as a fusion between virtual and real. Glasses are a great example, as you can walk around and get more info about a store, brand, or item, have real navigation before your eyes, talk or dictate your messages, and much more.
3. 5G
5G is becoming a standard, creating a bedrock for the next leap. 6G is still far away, and early predictions place it between 2028-2030, so we’ll get familiar with and utilize 5G well before that mark. Gaming and iGaming have gone mobile, causing a major shift towards mobile gaming, because everyone has a phone. The ability to play at any time and anywhere is the driving factor behind mobile gaming, and 5G enables faster transfers and reliable communication, which is necessary for the fast pace and secure iGaming.
4. Cross-platform gaming
Future trends are about removing restrictions and obstacles, unifying the gaming ecosystems into one gigantic mass where we can play anything with anyone anywhere. While PC, consoles, and mobile have specific target demographics and nuances, cross-platform gaming focuses on the similarities, aiming to enable players from different platforms to join together and play. We can already see examples like Roblox, Minecraft, Rocket League, Black Desert Online, and many others. Cross-platform gaming will become standard in the future, as it provides developers access to a larger player base and gives players more friends to play with.
5. Safer gaming
Blockchain and crypto are present in modern gaming and the symbiotic relationship will only evolve. Crypto is built on blockchain technology, which provides user anonymity, data safety, faster transactions due to it being unregulated, lower costs because there are no or fewer intermediaries, and faster data exchange.
One or more of these features will be present and provide a basis for future crypto games, enhancing their capabilities and allowing players to play in new and innovative ways. We can already see the evolution of F2P games (Free-to-play) towards P2E (play-to-earn) where we have games running on a freemium model and allowing their players to earn some cryptocurrency while playing.
Conclusion
The future is uncertain, but for gamers, there is one certainty, and that’s “fun”. Innovations and advances driving the iGaming industry will result in more games, quality entertainment, and more options for gamers. And we won’t have to wait long for such a prosperous future. However, the time it takes, we already have fine games to keep us company until the new wave comes.
