Video gaming and iGaming are both big and powerful industries that go perfectly with one another. The worldwide casino and online gambling market reached $230.9 billion in 2021, exceeding expectations year after year. The video gaming market size, on the other hand, is expected to generate $208.6 billion in revenue by the end of 2022.
Each one of these can have specific features that make it attractive to its fan base. Yet, nothing stops them from finding inspiration in one another to elevate the video gaming or the iGaming experience. Wondering how these two are converging? Keep reading to find out.
Video Game Features in Gambling Products
The worlds of video gaming and gambling are constantly evolving in response to technological advancements. And, more precisely, video gaming features are slowly finding their way to iGaming products. Such features make the entire experience more engaging and attractive to players who are looking for more than just a game of luck.
Many online casino games now feature video game features. They help the new generation of customers who are fascinated by video games to find excitement at online casino sites. For example, there’s the Star Guardians video slot from Evoplay.
The game features a third-person shooter feature, which is one of the most famous mechanics in gaming. For the first time in online gambling, players have the opportunity to shoot their way to slot wins. Manual mode is another video game feature in this slot, and it allows you to control the hero instead of simply spinning the reels. And the entire game looks like a video game rather than a slot, thanks to its impressive graphics and soundtrack.
A Shift From Traditional Slots
Online slots are typically based on pure luck and don’t require any special skills or strategies. Well, that’s about to change. Some players are just tired of the old ways of playing slots and want to try something more exciting. So, we are seeing more and more talks about skill-based slots and casino games. Naturally, these still haven’t hit the market as they would require specific regulations. Yet, it’s just a matter of time when shooting or solving riddles will get you better prizes.
Online casino operators nowadays partner with video game developers. That is to provide players with entertaining games of the highest quality. This whole idea of incorporating video game elements into video slots will positively influence the gambling industry. It will bring about an upgrade that will attract more and more players to online casinos, especially people from younger generations who enjoy playing video games.
Growth of eSports
The eSports industry is growing at a rapid pace. Currently, the eSports market is valued at $900 million, and it’s expected to grow in the coming years. For those unfamiliar with the concept, eSports is a competitive play of popular multiplayer games like Dota and Valorant. Thanks to streaming services, users can now bet on the outcome of such video gaming competitions.
Betting sites pop up every day and allow punters to place bets on eSports tournaments and events just like they would on basketball or football. People can bet on Dota 2, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, and other games. Thus, the connection between video gaming and iGaming is just strengthening and expanding as time passes.