The iGaming sector and video games have a strong collaborative relationship in multiple ways. Numerous parallels exist between these two industries, and iGaming developers are now finding inspiration from video game creators.
The online gaming industry has grown substantially in the past two decades, and online gambling is undergoing significant transformations. Let’s delve deeper into the impact of video games on the iGaming sector.
Popularity and Impact of Video Game-Themed iGaming
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Gaming and iGaming significantly impact each other, particularly through integrating gambling into video games. For instance, in Red Dead Redemption, players can visit saloons and participate in poker and blackjack games.
This influence between gaming and iGaming is reciprocal, as there are online casino games that are inspired by video games. Real money slot machines are a prime example, with numerous exciting online slots based on popular video game titles such as Street Fighter, Tomb Raider, and Resident Evil. These online slots feature the same characters and locations as their video game counterparts, providing an authentic gaming experience. Moreover, the slots are fully licensed and incorporate familiar music and sounds, immersing players in the game.
In 2005, Microgaming released the first-ever branded slot game based on the well-known Tomb Raider franchise. This game achieved tremendous success and paved the way for the creation of numerous additional branded slot games in the following years. The primary advantage of branded casino games is their appeal to various players. Individuals who are fans of a specific brand, movie, or game are more inclined to play a game that draws inspiration from something they are already familiar with.
Furthermore, branded slot games can attract new players to the world of online slots. These games provide players with a distinctive and captivating experience by incorporating elements from a video game into the iGaming gameplay.
Key Features of Video Game-Themed iGaming Slots
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In addition to incorporating video game themes, some recognisable UK casinos online also utilise mechanics inspired by video games. Online slots have evolved beyond traditional bar slot machines. When playing online slots, it’s not just about spinning the reels. Many slot games feature additional levels similar to those found in video games. If you achieve a successful spin, you can be transported to a different level within the slot game, comparable to completing a level in a video game.
Certain online slots even include mini-games that resemble video games. The reels temporarily move aside, revealing a different type of game within the slot itself. A prime example of such a slot game is Immortal Romance, which offers much more than mere reel spinning. Immortal Romance incorporates characters, storytelling, and various bonus rounds, each offering a unique gameplay style within the slot game. Despite being one of the oldest online slots for real money, Immortal Romance remains incredibly popular due to its engaging characters and diverse gameplay options, resembling the experience of playing a video game.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
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Developing videogame-themed iGaming products poses a significant obstacle when it comes to acquiring the required licenses and permissions. Obtaining the rights to utilise the likeness of a brand, game, or celebrity can be a challenging and time-consuming task.
Moreover, developers must ensure that they maintain the authenticity of the brand and its values while crafting an enjoyable and captivating game for players. Lastly, there is always a potential risk that the popularity of a brand or celebrity may decline over time, diminishing the game’s appeal to players.
Ethical concerns have arisen due to the link between children, video games, iGaming, and future problem gamblers.
Games and gambling have always had a connection. This can be seen through people betting on specific games, games being used to discourage gambling, or games drawing inspiration from popular cultural events such as horse races or the rise of online poker. However, in the twenty-first century, this connection has become even stronger.
Both the gaming and gambling industries have taken advantage of technological advancements to create new products, leading to concerns about the overlap between games and gambling. This chapter explores the factors contributing to this acceleration by analysing five important subjects: social casinos, daily fantasy sports, esports, skin betting, and loot boxes. While there are many other examples, these five best illustrate some of the underlying processes at play.
Popular Video Game Inspired Slots and Games
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Game developers are now creating slot games that cater to different interests and niches, including those that appeal to passionate gamers.
Resident Evil 6
One example is Resident Evil 6 by Skywind Group, which brings the popular survival horror game series Resident Evil to the world of online slots. This slot machine includes well-known characters like Leon S. Kennedy, Chris Redfield, and Ada Wong. It offers bonus rounds based on each character’s storyline from the original game, ensuring an exciting gameplay experience for players.
Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs
Another notable collaboration between Microgaming and Square Enix resulted in the creation of Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs. This online slot game features impressive graphics, immersive sound effects, and captivating gameplay.
Players can join Lara Croft as she embarks on thrilling adventures, uncovering ancient treasures and navigating challenging environments. The Rolling Reels feature in this game allows for consecutive wins and increasing multipliers, adding to the excitement.
Future Trends and Final Thought
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Virtually reality will become mainstream, the evolution of AI is inevitable, cryptocurrency will become commonplace, 5G will assist the surge of live gaming, and subscription-based monetisation will skyrocket.
The gaming and iGaming industries today differ greatly from their past counterparts. With constant advancements emerging, we can expect even more rapid evolution and collaboration in the coming years. While predicting the exact future is challenging, we can confidently say that the journey ahead will be exhilarating.
What do you make of this news? Are you going to play any of these video games?
