Since the inception of the online casino industry in the mid-1990s, the sector has evolved considerably. As a result, games and the overall experience are much different today – arguably better – than they were a couple of decades ago. That’s normal, given the technology available to modern casino operators. And, we should say that the experience is also better in land-based casinos too.
But technology has also facilitated another change. Namely, the online sector is moving in a different direction than the casino resort industry. In the simplest terms: The original idea among the pioneers of online casino in the 1990s and 2000s was to replicate the experience of a ‘real’ casino, allowing players to play the games at home. But in the 2020s, we see online casinos developing new experiences – and they are designed to offer players something they won’t get in a physical casino.
New games have arrived at the live casino
The above is best seen in the trend of live casino games. Sure, you can play blackjack and roulette with real dealers. But new game genres of games have been created for the live casino platform, and they can only really be facilitated with technology. A good example is Deal or No Deal Live (Evolution Gaming), which, like the Noel Edmunds gameshow, is all about opening those boxes. But the game is played in a live studio, with 100s of players in for the ride.
Another new trend has come with the invention of live slots, and it’s perhaps the most interesting for what it represents. The games are presented as in a studio format, with a host (like a game show) spinning the reels of a slot. Players can interact with each other and the host, place bets and win (or lose) as a community.
Playtech, which is perhaps the global leader in casino software, is at the forefront of this. Two of its signature online slot games, Buffalo Blitz and the hugely popular Age of the Gods: God of Storms, have been selected to appear in live casinos in the studio format described above. Those two particularly apt choices from Playtech, as they are popular, have big win potential and are easy to play.
Games are designed to be communal
But rather than the types of games, it is the setting and atmosphere that is important here. We are, of course, spending more of our lives online – living virtually – but live slots mean that it is no longer a solitary experience. Yes, gambling is not for everyone, and anyone playing casino games should do so responsibly, both in terms of budget and time spent playing. But this type of gaming offers a new dimension to casino gaming, and it could be important to the future evolution of the industry.
Indeed, there is something similar happening to video games. Modern expectations of playing a video game are different from the past, where you might have fired up the PS2 for a single-player session or a game with a mate sitting beside you. But gaming today is about playing with others – meeting and socialising with new people in a virtual setting. That’s what live slot games deliver.
As mentioned, there are lots of other new types of games. Many like DOND Live, Monopoly Live and Crazy Time resemble game shows. But regardless of how they are different from traditional games of chance, the important thing is that they take the solitary element out of the online casino experience. As with live slots, they are designed to be communal games. In fact, you don’t need to even need to place a bet to enjoy the fun. Worth trying, but remember to stick to your budget and only play at a UK-licensed casino website.
