The gambling market is always looking for ways to innovate and it’s always on the cutting edge of technology. The latest technology that’s gaining popularity is virtual reality (VR). We’ve already seen VR start to gain traction in video games, and this technology will likely continue to grow into other industries, such as online gambling. We’ll be looking at how the advancements of VR can transform the casino industry.
Immersive Online Casinos
Online casinos have long sought to recreate the experience of being in an actual casino, and with the advancement in modern technology, they’ve done exactly that. When it comes to convenience, online casinos tend to take the lead in comparison to brick-and-mortar casinos which are accessed physcially, however in terms of gameplay, the two are very similar. Online casinos can offer a wider selection of games and higher variety of slot themes, or for example online table games Canada has multiple variations of blackjack, roulette and bacarrat. They regulary update the graphics on the games to keep the games new and entertaining; they’ve introduced sound effects and voiceovers to recreate the sounds you’d hear at a casino; and they’ve even introduced live dealer casino games where real dealers deal the cards. We can see how far table games have come, the first casino games were just some graphics and sound effects, and now gamers can watch live actions made by live dealers in HD video.
With the introduction of VR casino gaming, players can head towards a fully-immersive experience, as they’ll be playing in a virtual world that will look identical to an actual casino. Although we can’t predict the future it is possible that these games will prove to be popular, potentially online casinos may start implementing this technology once it becomes widely available.
VR Slot Machines
Another game that will get the VR treatment once the technology is implemented is the slot machine. Online slots have done a fantastic job of recreating the experience of playing slots in a casino, thanks to the fact that many games you see in a casino can be added to an online casino site. You get to play the same game as the game you love in the casino, as well as a whole host of other options that you wouldn’t normally find in one location. One thing that in-person slot machines have that an online casino does not is the ability to physically press the buttons to play.
VR fixes this as the immersive headset will transport you to a casino environment with no outside distractions. You’ll be able to hear the same ambient noise you find in the casino and even be able to press buttons or pull levers with your hands, just like you would in real life. You’ll also have the added benefit of being able to do so from anywhere, at any time of the day, and have a much wider game selection to choose from.
3D Game Tables
3D gaming tables aren’t a new advancement in the world of online casino games, but the introduction of VR will add a whole new dimension to the gaming experience.
When viewing a 3D gaming table through a VR headset, you actually get to experience all three dimensions. You can walk up to a gaming table and sit in a chair, just like you would in real life, giving players an unmatched sense of immersion. You don’t just see a 3D gaming table; you actually get to interact with it like it’s a real object. The 3D gaming tables in a VR game have the potential to be fully interactive, allowing the player to be more part of the action.
In-Game Chats
Another area that will be vastly improved through the implementation of VR will be in-game chats. Currently, only live casino games offer in-game chats, which allow players to talk to one another using a chat box.
We’ve already seen in other VR games how an interactive chat will work. Most VR sets have built-in microphones that allow players to talk to each other in online games, and we imagine that VR casino sites will work in much the same way. This allows players to act exactly as they would in a casino without the need for chat boxes.
The fact that players will be able to communicate by talking rather than typing will make the experience more active. Instead of using a chatbox to interact with fellow players, they would use a microphone, this has the potential to increase the player’s immersion and the social element involved in gaming.
RPG Aspects
While we’ve focused a lot on how VR can make online casino games realistic, there’s another avenue that online casinos may take; and that is to gamify the casino experience. In other words, make the experience more like a classic video game.
One of the best ways of gamifying the casino experience is to add RPG (role-playing game) elements. These elements could be a way of replacing traditional promotions or loyalty schemes, as players can earn bonuses by levelling up through continued play. The elements could also be cosmetic changes, such as new clothes or hairstyles for the player’s avatar.
Making the online casino experience more fun by giving players unlockable elements is a great way to improve player experience. Other gamification examples could be leaderboards and tournaments with prizes, which might be a thing of the future in VR casinos.
Conclusion
It is a possibility that we begin to see VR technology implemented in the online gambling market and could have a transformative effect on this industry. These games may offer a new level of immersion for players possibly enhancing the realism of online gambling, and potentially attracting new audiences to the market. However, there are also significant challenges that must be overcome, such as the need for expensive VR. Ultimately, the success of virtual reality in online casinos will depend on whether the technology can deliver on its promise of a truly immersive and engaging gaming experience.
