Playing games has evolved over the years in numerous new and exciting ways. In the past, we used to buy discs or CDs and pop them up in a special drive to install and play games. Then digital distribution came along, allowing us to install games remotely over the Internet. All of this has been driven by evolving technologies which offer diverse and immersive experiences on PCs, consoles and mobile devices.
The technological evolution has brought new ways to play games online. Whether it’s MMOs, casino games, or mobile games, new technologies and business models push the boundaries of online gaming.
Which Technologies Expand the World of Online Gaming?
There’s never been a time where technology has made giant leaps as much as now. From artificial intelligence building websites in minutes to virtual reality devices, new technologies are paving the way for online gaming expansion.
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Browser-Based Games
Browser-based games are one of the first examples of the fast-expanding world of online gaming. Projects such as Catan World, 2048, and online casino games are developed specifically for modern browsers on PCs, tablets, and all mobile devices. Whether you’re a fan of Chrome, Firefox, Opera, or another browser, you can play most games inside browsers today.
MMOs and MMORPGs
If there’s one game type that has expanded the way we play games online, it’s MMOs. Short for massively multiplayer online games, they connect a large number of players together in a virtual space with huge, open-world environments. MMOs have later expanded to MMORPGs, adding a role-playing element that further deepens the gameplay.
MMOs require a stable Internet connection and aren’t as graphically advanced as single-player titles. That’s been done on purpose so more and more players can join the open-world environments. It’s proof of how far the gaming industry has come, finding new and innovative ways to expand the world of online gaming.
Key Technological Ways That Expand the World of Online Gaming
We can’t talk about the expanding world of online games without mentioning technologies such as VR and AR. Virtual reality offers a new and immersive perspective and experience, with virtual worlds that gamers can interact with and play different types of games.
One notable example are virtual casinos, some of which have already been tested live. These casinos allow players to interact with virtual spaces, where augmented reality, or AR, helps them identify tables by expanding the world and games with stats, betting range, and more.
Cross-Platform Capabilities
Many new games are offering or supporting cross-play opportunities and cross-progression. Not all players enjoy consoles or PCs – they all have their picks. With the introduction of cross-platform capabilities, there’s a whole new world of opportunities for players without losing progress across devices.
Fresh Business Models
Aside from technology, some clever business models have also helped with the expansion of online gaming. We’re primarily talking about free to play or buy-to-play models, which have brought on even more players to the fold in certain games and communities.
The freemium or F2P model is a highly popular option for game developers. It allows players to access and play games at no cost. Of course, development of such games is costly, so most freemium games have virtual in-game purchases for various items or services.
Some of the most common online games that support this model include Call of Duty: Mobile, Genshin Impact, or Pokemon GO. Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Rocket League remain heavyweights in this category. Players don’t need to pay anything initially and progress isn’t limited. However, virtual items make progress easier, and that’s a small price to pay for some players to go higher up the rankings.
Subscription-based platforms have also moved the needle in order to play games online in a new way. This traditional model asks for a recurring fee, usually monthly, to access and play games. However, it has become obsolete in recent times, as developers are moving forward with free-to-play platforms or buy-to-play models.
With buy-to-play, players can purchase games once. Any additional content like DLCs is also paid, but players get to keep the original game without packs if they want to. In this game, content updates and sale of expansion packs keep developers afloat.
Social Media
Social media platforms were once a spot where people can share interests with others in a tight-knit community. However, things have changed, and new technologies have pushed them forward in different ways, including online gaming. As a result, many social media platforms now offer games, which are free to play but come with in-app purchases.
This model has been adopted by numerous social media platforms and is expanding the world we play games online. With the help of these apps, players can log in and play their favorite games anytime and anywhere. Progress is saved in the cloud, so there’s no need to restart sessions all over.
What Does the Future Hold?
New technologies will continue to push the envelope forward and expand the way we play games. We’re primarily talking about new technologies such as VR/AR, which offer a new and immersive way of playing games online.
Similar advancements can be seen in the online casino industry, where live dealer titles have transformed the gaming experience. Streamed in high-quality video via browsers, they allow real-time gameplay across top games. Developers are coming up with fun new ideas for live casino games, including wheel-based titles with a host that takes the experience a step or a few up.
There’s no question that the new tech devices released every day create new gaming experiences for players. The future of online gaming is bright, expanding as we speak for new worlds of immersive entertainment previously thought impossible.
