Gamers and casino-goers are often seen as rather disparate groups. Not long ago, it would have seemed preposterous for gamers to be seen diving into casino-style games. However, today’s online casinos are gamified, and designed for those used to the digital world. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the way the gaming world and online casinos are colliding and managing to appeal to an even greater number of players.
The Gamification of Everything
These days, gamification is everywhere. You can find it across a multitude of apps and websites, ranging from fitness apps to shopping. It’s not just these types of apps with major purchases that have gamified things though. Online casinos have also embraced this trend, adding in the ability to score additional points, level up when getting an achievement, and earn loyalty points for sticking around. These additional features are very familiar to gamers, who are used to the concept of levelling up or going on a side quest or two.
Parallel Worlds: Video Games and Casino Mechanics
It’s not just gamification where casino games and video games intertwine. Many game mechanics, be they video or casino, have similar mechanics, bridging the gap between these different game types. For instance, slots have spins that randomly land wins. This is very similar to players traversing a video game and finding loot boxes, the contents of which are always random and luck-based. As such, the unpredictability and luck-based nature of these types of games is very similar. Importantly, this is exactly what many players are looking for and these rewards tend to trigger similar dopamine hits, encouraging repeat play.
But it’s not all about luck. Many video games, such as DOTA 2, are very strategic. With that in mind, some of the more strategy-based casino games such as blackjack or poker are also appealing to tactically minded players. It simply means that there are plenty of choices.
Platforms Designed with Players in Mind
On top of the games being more accessible for a wider audience, modern casinos are also optimized for players. As such, many casino sites have very strong UX in place. Additionally, they tend to operate a mobile-first approach and are fast-loading. Better still, some even have convenient apps that can be easily downloaded and used. Gearing sites to player needs is especially prevalent in countries like Finland that have long had a solid gambling sector. For instance, dreamz.com/fi/ has a clean interface, instant play options and hundreds of easily accessible casino games, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Staying responsible
As with all games, though, there are typically risks in place. When it comes to casino games, and, to a lesser extent, video games, there is real money involved. However, more and more, video games also encourage players to put in money to get new skins, upgraded looks or access to additional levels. As such, the responsible gambling tools found at online casinos are a blessing. These sites have tools for deposit limits, time limits and cooling-off periods. As such, it encourages a healthier mindset with entertainment at the heart rather than one of investment.
Conclusion
For some gamers, taking on casino games is another way to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Of course, it’s not a way to replace their main form of video gaming, but it does offer a new type of thrill. It’s also often seen as a type of side quest in a way, allowing gamers to try something new from their usual games. From a loot drop to spinning the reels on a slot, the quest for something thrilling is still very much at the forefront of any gaming process.
