Skill-based casino games have been some of the most popular games in the industry since the beginning of time. It all started with card games like Poker becoming famous literally centuries ago and remaining just as widely played today. The only thing that’s changed is that we’ve had time to add hundreds of variations and adjust these games to work with today’s technology.
Is the future of skill-based gaming just as bright? And what are the challenges we may face as technology continues to advance? Stick with this article to find out!
Mobile-First Development
Mobile gaming has been exceedingly popular for a while now and this trend doesn’t seem like it’s going to end any time soon. After all, it’s just so much more convenient to play Rummy or Poker with friends when you’ve got your device in your hands.
Though this means that casinos will continue to develop apps and choose responsive website design that offers superior mobile experiences, it’s also brought up another interesting trend. And that’s real cash games.
You no longer even need a casino to play with millions around the world from the comfort of your own home. Some think that these mobile games are even better than casinos themselves, as they offer more immersive experiences and allow you to play with your real-life friends. On top of that, they focus on one skill-based game and its variations, catering to very specific tastes instantly.
Full Immersion
Ever since the rise of online casinos, we’ve been trying to replicate the feel of old-school land-based casinos. Now we finally have the technology to capture the authentic atmosphere and human element:
- Virtual Reality: VR will allow casinos to create completely virtual environments that players can interact with. That means you’ll be able to sit at a table and play Poker or actually throw your lucky dice to win a round of Baccarat.
- Augmented Reality: AR has the power to bring digital elements into the real world. What this means for Poker players, for example, is that they’ll no longer need multiple screens. All of your analytics, statistics, and potential strategies will be right in front of your eyes along with your cards!
- Live Casino Improvements: Your next game of Teen Patti can be even more exciting with interactive game elements and two-way chat functions. You’ll be able to personalise your experience with the dealer even more, allowing for a truly authentic experience.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has the power to completely reshape the gambling industry as we know it. When it comes to online casinos, it can help with fraud prevention, imposing responsible gambling rules, and determining how players interact with certain games.
And when it comes to skill-based games specifically, AI can change and build upon current developmental systems. Most notably, AI can eliminate the need to separate games based on skill level.
So instead of having a set of titles meant for beginners and another set for experts, developers will be able to create one game that’s just the right level for everyone. AI can track player advancements and behaviour, then determine how difficult the game is actually for them. All of this is done in real-time, so AI can raise or lower the difficulty level depending on the player’s skill.
This makes it easier than ever to learn games such as Poker and to build skills effortlessly. On top of that, it offers a truly personalised experience every time. Regardless of how many times the player opens the game, it will never be the same session simply because the flow depends entirely on them.
The Challenges
All of this sounds amazing but there are still some challenges that need to be overcome for us to see the future of skill-based games as outlined above.
Fast Technological Advancements
The fact is that technology right now is advancing at such a pace that it’s hard for game developers to catch up. They need to stay on top of trends as soon as they happen (or even better, come up with new trends), otherwise they’ll get eaten up by the competitive market.
But, this is easier said than done since most of these technologies are still very expensive. Realising the potential they have for the industry and investing in the right tools is the first step to overcoming this challenge, but it will take time.
Ethical Concerns
A lot of skill-based game development in the future seems to rely heavily on collecting personal data and tracking behaviour. People are rightfully concerned about what’s going to happen to that data and if it will really only be used for game improvements.
Plus, the chance of a third party getting their hands on that data and selling it is a real possibility. That’s why we still need to figure out robust security measures for these games. This will keep the players safe, but also ensure fair play.
Rules & Regulations
As you may already know, game developers need to have certain certifications that their games are fair. But, even with these certifications, they may not be allowed to offer their services everywhere around the globe. This all depends on a certain country’s rules and regulations about gambling.
And since we’re talking about improving or using new systems for skill-based games, we need to wait for the regulations to catch up to ensure everything is legal. On top of that, responsible gambling considerations need to be made. After all, fully immersive experiences can have a higher risk of addiction.
Why Skill-Based Games Are the Future
Though there are many challenges ahead, one thing that’s clear is that innovation in skill-based games isn’t going away. There are multiple reasons that’s true:
- A Real Challenge: Skill-based games have posed a challenge to players all around the world for years. You can find a strategy, a casino game review, and demos for almost every popular skill-based game there is today. As you can see, they retain a wide audience, and this isn’t likely to change. In fact, with all of those innovations we mentioned, these games are likely to become even more popular.
- Attracts Younger Generations: Millennials and Gen Zs are notoriously hard customers to cater to in the gambling world. But, they seem to love a challenge so they’re naturally drawn to skill-based games. If developers and casinos alike want to work with this audience, they’ll have to introduce the novelty only current technological advancements can offer.
- Social Aspect: We finally have a way to make online gambling as social as traditional gambling has been for years. Developers and casinos aren’t likely to pass up on this opportunity, as it proposes a new breakthrough in the industry that can have benefits for everyone involved.
Conclusion
One thing is for sure: skill-based games are here to stay. Though there are still some challenges to overcome, the future looks bright for these types of games as developers and casinos seem highly motivated to overcome every hurdle. We don’t know about you, but we’re super excited to see how things continue to develop. We’ll definitely see you at a VR Poker table in a few years!
