Video games are one of the most popular hobbies around the world. Since video games appeared in our homes in the late 1970s, there has always been a dedicated group of players and fans. Over the decades, this fan base has expanded but it for many years it primarily consisted of young males. In the last 15 years, we’ve seen that shift as video games have become a hobby for anyone and everyone.
The rise of mobile gaming over the last five years has sped up that process. Mobile games don’t have the same investment requirements. They aren’t expensive, don’t require specialised equipment, are easy to play and require little time to learn to play. This expansion of gamers into new demographics has meant that the video game industry can diversify.
One of the forces shaping video games is the iGaming industry. iGaming appeals to an even wider share of the population than video games do. It’s also an industry that understands how to capitalise on players’ willingness to spend.
New online casinos are constantly being launched. To stand out, they offer special features and produce advertising that claims that they’re the best. Casino guides, such as talksport.com, narrow down this market chaos. You can look for casinos with special features, like casinos with a £10 deposit bonus.
iGaming, particularly online casinos, has been continuing to influence video games. Below are the three main areas where iGaming practices, ideas and aesthetics have been adopted by more traditional types of video games.
Casino settings and events
Casinos have always been a popular destination in real life and in the media. Films of every genre love to use casinos as a backdrop. Some classic examples that highlight the diversity of casino movies include Casino Royal (2006), The Hangover (2009), 21 (2008) and The Card Counter (2021).
The popularity of casinos as a setting carries over into video games. One of the best examples of this is Grand Theft Auto Online. This edition of the franchise featured a casino that hosted a few missions but was also fully playable. The Diamond Casino and Resort is a player favourite. Even a decade after it was released, you can still find plenty of players enjoying the roulette, blackjack and poker tables on a regular basis.
Red Dead Redemption, Fallout: New Vegas and The Witcher 3 all have casino or gambling elements that have become a major selling point for the games.
Loot boxes
One of the most enjoyable parts of many video games is collecting the weapons, items, armour and accessories that you need to complete quests or become stronger. Generally, these items are earned or purchased. They can also be won as random prizes from loot boxes.
Loot boxes have been a divisive topic in video game discussions. They even became the focus of government intervention in the UK. In 2023, the UK games industry announced plans to restrict access to loot boxes. This was due to loot boxes being linked with an increase in problematic gambling behaviours.
Loot boxes are considered gambling because the player purchases them without any guarantee of what is inside. Whether the item inside is something the player wants is truly a gamble. The risk is a big part of the appeal of loot boxes, just like with traditional iGaming games.
Gacha games are a related phenomenon that are also rooted in iGaming. Gacha games have different gameplay styles, but the actual gameplay is secondary to the collecting element. In order to progress in the game, players usually need to have collected certain items or completed a collection. Loot boxes are purchased using an in-game currency. The in-game currency can be purchased using real money.
Just like a wager on a slot machine, buying a loot box could be a big win or a total waste. This element of video games will probably always be controversial, but it is unlikely to change since it is a lucrative feature for the developers.
Microtransactions
The way that we pay for video games has changed recently. Instead of a single purchase of a game, we now can often initially play games for free. Developers then make their money by offering in-game purchases, usually called microtransactions. Microtransactions are small purchases that help the player progress through the game more easily. These include things like extra lives, free replays and bonus items.
The microtransaction model is very similar to the online casino payment model. Creating an account with an iGaming site is free. In order to play games, players need to make deposits. These deposits can be frequent and small or occasional and large. How much the player spends depends entirely on their personal choice.
The same is true with free to play games that offer in-app purchases. Most games can be played without purchases or with a limited investment. However, if players want to spend a lot on the game they can progress more quickly and have an easier playing experience.
In-app purchases are likely to be the future of how we pay for video games. It is more accessible and spreads the cost of the game out over time. It also allows the developers to continue making money from a game for as long as people continue to play it.
