The online slots market has evolved at a rapid pace, and the game lists of today look nothing like the ones that existed a decade ago. The iGaming market has opened its arms to technological upgrades and continues to evolve alongside new advancements.
The next big disruptors to the industry could be virtual and augmented reality. There are numerous companies now working on adapting slots to this format so that they can give people new ways to play.
Slot Games Are Continually Advancing
If you look at the online slots market, it’s easy to see that developers are constantly trying to innovate. With today’s slot games online, there’s a greater focus on immersion than ever before. Titles like Resurrecting Riches and Cahs Strike Power Up are designed to take people into different worlds, where everything aligns with the games’ themes.
Elsewhere in the casino market, there are efforts to up the immersion levels. Indeed, some online casinos have been using live streaming to make players feel closer to the games, with the technology having an impact on the market long before social media made it mainstream.
When modern VR headsets like the Oculus Rift were first released in 2016, the online casino industry was expected to adapt to VR swiftly. In fact, some leading developers such as NetEnt produced VR games at this time, ready to hit the market if needed. The technology didn’t live up to its hype then, though, and it was still considered too rudimentary by many. The latest figures suggest it could be massive by 2030, which could be when it starts to have an impact at online casinos.
Various Companies Want to Adapt Slots for Mixed Realities
In recent years, iGaming software companies that have successfully managed to position themselves ahead of the curve have reaped the rewards. This often comes in the shape of adapting to new technology before others, and thinking of upgrades to existing games that their rivals hadn’t considered.
There are a few companies that are now positioning themselves for the next stage of iGaming’s evolution. These businesses seem to be focusing on a mixed reality, which involves a combination of AR and VR. XR Casino is one example of a developer pioneering extended reality options. The main mission seems to be to embed these games within existing slots ecosystems.
Other developers that have previously explored the idea of integrating VR are now appearing to be more open to the idea of using mixed reality in their games. There are also some startups that are experimenting with the idea of improving physical slots with features that respond to players’ actions in extended reality scenarios.
There could be some massive changes afoot in the online slots market over the next few years, especially if mixed reality headsets become mainstream. The industry is quick to adapt to trends like this and could even act as a catalyst to influence more people to get into mixed reality. It will be interesting to see how this phase of the iGaming evolution plays out.
