How Are Video Games and Gambling Converging?
Video entertainment is by far the most popular branch of the whole entertainment business. The umbrella term encompasses so much, from sports and music to the arts and hobbies. However, it is the varieties, activities, and hobbies that in some way, shape, or form employ the use of videos that has established itself as the most dominant form of pastime in recent years. The reason for this incredible rise has a lot to deal with video games and their popularity. Everything about video games right now is on a grander scale than ever before. From the games themselves and the studios that create them to the players and other ways to enjoy them, it has all become so much more than we ever dreamed of.
Right alongside the world of gaming however, one other branch of entertainment has been steadily gaining traction and becoming bigger and bigger. There is no saying where the end is for it actually as it is still growing in both success and diversity. Here of course we mean gambling, particularly the online variety of gambling. Many are saying that the lines between video games and gambling games are being erased and that the two are converging. But is there any truth to it, and if so, how are these two seemingly different things so much alike nowadays? In this article we talk about this very thing in what is a rather interesting and intriguing topic. For a great place to try out many online casino games that are on par with video games read on to learn more and be sure to check out https://www.playamo.com.
The Graphics
First of all, it is the graphics that have been erasing the boundaries between traditional video games and gambling. When you load up a modern game it is the graphics that capture the initial attention. The software that was used in the development stages is much more advanced than before and a lot can be done to achieve all sorts of styles and designs. As technology improved, those in charge of creating new gambling games sought to improve their creations too so naturally they picked what was available. Soon, gambling solutions resembled games more and more and they are still getting better at it. The visuals that are present in many poker, roulette, and especially slot games on online casinos are breathtaking. This is often enough to draw in more players so each new version looks more stunning than the last. That was the norm in gaming, so now it is in gambling too. The better the graphics are the more gamers will want to try gambling.
The Gameplay Mechanics
Similar to graphics, the gameplay gimmicks and mechanics that gambling games possess these days are quite similar to what can be found in regular games. Graphics are only a part of the package. Looking at a beautiful piece of software is neat, but it matters not if the actual experience of doing things is poor. Therefore, the things the players do in games, both regular and gambling, are crucial. When converging is concerned, the gameplay mechanics that are the staples of gambling have found their way into gambling which are now basically gaming-gambling hybrids. There is the element of wagering money on the outcome but you must also do a certain thing or two and be good at it in order to win. It can be as simple as a regular slot machine, or have some more challenging things in store for those looking for more than regular gambling. For a game to be popular and successful it needs to be interesting and appealing to actually play. The same goes for online gambling.
Gambling Features in Games
An often overlooked reason behind the convergence of video game and gambling lies in the infamous feature of the newest and most dominant games available right now. Most of them, if not all, have some kind of gimmick where you gamble without even knowing it. In-game currencies and loot boxes are systems at paly that make players spend real life money on virtual items. Sometimes, it is a pay to win system where you get stronger in the game by spending money on stronger items. It can also be a solely cosmetic situation where you pay for skins and other cosmetic items that change the way things look without affecting the gameplay. In either case, it is a vastly popular and often criticized system that players dislike for the most part. It is nearly impossible to get the stuff through simply playing so they but loot boxes and virtual currency instead. The loot box does not guarantee a valuable drop either, but it gives you anywhere from 1 to 5 items of varying quality, which is effectively a form of gambling. This is how boundaries are even thinner and how many gamers opt to try regular old gambling.
Streaming and Content Creation
Last but not least, the players have streaming platforms and content creators to partially thank for the surge of gambling among gaming and vice versa. On Twitch.tv, the number one video game streaming platform on the internet, there is a separate section for gambling, particularly slots. It is a very popular thing to stream and the viewers who tune in to watch their favorite gambling streamers number in tens of thousands. Additionally, content creators on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have platforms where they promote gambling tips and gambling in general. It is almost exclusively online gambling and sports betting as they advertise popular apps and websites and give incentives. The creators themselves are frequently gaming channels to begin with. Also, on YouTube, the biggest video sharing platform, there are gambling videos that tackle numerous topics and again many of those who make them are gamers who started their channels as gaming channels. It is only a matter of time before gaming and gambling are barely distinguishable anymore and we have many factors to thank for it. For better or for worse, it was really the only way this could have ever gone.
