The online gaming industry is one of the most lucrative sectors today, with a market value of $178 billion. This industry has been growing at a spectacular rate since the first video game in 1958. According to reports, Asia has the highest number of gamers, followed by Europe, then America. Reports also indicate that the gaming scene is the most technologically advanced sector, with new trends cropping up regularly courtesy of brilliant manpower and state-of-art equipment used by the organizations involved. To expound further, here are the online gaming trends in 2022 and their impact on the gaming community.
1. AR and VR in Gaming
One of the most captivating online gaming trends is introducing Augmented and Virtual Reality in gaming. This technology is designed to ensure a first-class experience with immersive gaming sessions. Augmented Reality (AR) creates the enhanced version of the real world and delivers it using technology, whereas Virtual Reality (VR) provides the artificial environment to inhabit AR. Pokemon Go! Marked the intrusion of AR and VR in the gaming scene. The unique technology saw the game receive more than 800 million intercontinental downloads. Currently, multiple games are using AR and VR technology to deliver a seamless experience to players.
Using the technology, game development companies can provide real-time interaction between players and the games. Besides, they can stimulate human senses like touch and smell. The dream-like experience makes gaming captivating with some of the most advanced games, making it hard for players to differentiate between virtual and real environments during gameplay. AR and VR technology is also being incorporated into the online casino gaming scene. This has seen the number of online casino players in the US increase significantly for the past few years.
The Growth of Online Casino Fan Base in the USA
The US possesses one of the largest markets for online casino players globally. The latest reports indicate that 10 million Americans are regulars in online casinos. Online casinos provide players access to high-quality games and the best online gaming environment to ensure the number keeps rising. Operators also provide American players with competitive promotions, including USA no deposit bonuses and sign-up offers. If you want to learn more about these bonuses and how to claim them, just click on the following link. With these compelling aspects and many more, the number of US players on online casinos is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
2. Cross-Platform Gaming
Cross-platform gaming has been a challenge in the gaming scene for years. However, the obstacle is currently not an issue since developers have found a way to make games compatible with multiple devices. Right now, you can download a game such as Fortnite on your smartphone or computer and play instantly without making further changes. The breakthrough in this area also introduced players to cross-play gaming. Cross-play games are online multiplayer gaming solutions that you can play with your friends regardless of the device or console they are using. However, the device must meet certain requirements to accommodate the game features properly. If you know the importance of a motherboard for gaming, you will understand why this can make a difference.
To achieve cross-platform and cross-play gaming, developers rely on cloud computing. Therefore, the players require an internet connection to access the game. What happens is that every set-up, progress, and in-game profile is stored in the cloud. So every time you want to play the game, the developer makes it available with your customized skins and other settings you would have made. This trend makes online gaming in the US efficient and effective. Players are even experimenting with game codes to extend cross-platform gaming to different games. As a result, the trend is expected to leave a permanent mark in the online gaming industry.
3. Blockchain-Based Gaming
Blockchain is one of the biggest inventions in the 21st century. The myriad benefits of blockchain have seen it penetrate different markets, including the gaming industry. Unlike other trends encompassing the entire iGaming experience, blockchain is designed to focus on transactions. Game developers introduced in-game purchases to online games to make revenue and improve the online gaming experience. This aspect allows you to exchange actual cash with gaming features such as skins, equipment, and artillery when playing shooter games. However, since the introduction of in-game purchases, game publishers have experienced breaches that have led to the loss of money. To solve the problem, game developers are incorporating blockchain to help with these transactions.
The trend allows you to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin to make in-game purchases. This online payment mode is safe and fast with minimal to no risks. To use this online payment system, you must have a crypto wallet and some Bitcoin or Ethereum. Players are quickly embracing blockchain gaming, with the number of crypto wallet transactions related to online games hitting 1.36 million in 2021. This was a 46% increase compared to the data retrieved at the end of 2020. The excessive use of cryptocurrency in iGaming runs across different sectors, with some experts claiming that crypto is the future of gaming. The trend will see the blockchain market value increase rapidly over the next few years.
4. Mobile Gaming
Computers and consoles are no longer the only devices you can use to play online games. In a bid to foster on-demand gaming, game publishers are producing more compatible products that you can play on your mobile phone. The market for these games is already blooming, with statistics indicating that more than 150.45 million Americans played mobile games in 2020. Generally, around 46% of the US iGaming population plays mobile games. To make mobile gaming more captivating, developers are making numerous changes. For instance, now you can use headsets from top quality headset manufactures to get better audio when playing mobile games. Besides, developers have introduced 3D VR glasses for smartphones making mobile gaming immersive.
Mobile gaming has also opened up a market for indie games. These are independent short video games developed by non-established companies that lack the financial muscle to equip the games with state-of-the-art features. Therefore, apart from transitioning the online gaming industry, mobile games are focusing the limelight on unrecognized but immersive games. With such an expansive portfolio, mobile gaming is expected to surpass the $100 billion mark by 2025. Moreover, the trend is expected to spread in different countries and continents like Asia and Europe.
5. Subscription Gaming
If you thought in-game purchases were too extreme and a ploy for publishers to rip off avid gamers, subscription gaming will make you more cynical. Subscription Gaming is an emerging trend that requires players to subscribe to access a particular online gaming content. Instead of simply purchasing an update or a feature, you end up subscribing to access the entire game. The subscription ranges from monthly to annual, with the pricing varying depending on the game.
Surprisingly, players have no problem making monthly or yearly subscriptions to enjoy their favorite games. The already thriving sector is expected to have a double-digit growth at the approximate rate of 14.3% per year. This has led to the introduction of iGaming subscriptions like PlayStation Now, Xbox Game Pass, and EA Play. To attract millions of subscribers, developers and triple-A gaming companies are including add-ons and other captivating features to their packages. They also develop immersive and interactive online games with functionalities that hook gamers after the first trial. Therefore, don’t be surprised if a subscription is the only requirement to access the multiplayer function of a game.
These are so far some of the major online gaming trends that are making headlines in 2022. Each trend has a unique feature and capability to make online gaming exciting. Even though some trends like AR and VR gaming are still in their initial stages, they are already interrupting the online gaming scene like never before. Most of the trends are credited to the technological advancements that have been happening for the past few years. With the amount of money and resources being used in the online gaming sector, expect more mind-blowing trends to come up before the end of the year.
