In recent years, gaming companies with land-based operations have started to actively transfer their content to the online realm, sensing the potential iGaming has to offer. This migration has resulted in the proliferation of digital games in the market which, in turn, has driven operators to search for competitive online products. However, in this highly saturated industry, it is not easy to predict which games will perform well.
How different are casino games across global markets?
Casino games vary widely by region, with certain preferences standing out. Slot games, for example, are common globally, and due to online accessibility, a Japanese player can enjoy a Brazilian Jogo do Bicho lottery game as a scratch slot, while a Brazilian player can experience Pachinko-themed slots.
RNG (random number generator) slots have been increasingly popular over the last two years, surpassing live casino games, which were more dominant five or six years ago. Though RNG games do not replicate the exact feel of physical games, they are easy to play and offer substantial rewards globally, except in restricted jurisdictions.
Live casino games still exhibit strong regional preferences, with European players typically gravitating towards roulette and blackjack, while Asian players tend to favour Baccarat and other table games traditionally popular in their region.
What do iGaming companies consider when adding games to their portfolio?
Primarily, it is important to rely on local market expertise before obtaining any content. By benchmarking the region of your operations, companies will get to see the big picture of the types of games, themes, mechanisms, and bonus tools that are popular in each location. Using these criteria, iGaming companies become better informed to evaluate the available content and, if necessary, add any that is missing.
How important are classic skill-based games like blackjack and poker today?
Blackjack and poker games are important, with many European-style players constantly searching for low limit blackjack tables, as well as Texas Holdem tables online.
While Texas Holdem live casino tables are not as popular as peer-to-peer poker offerings, it still has its niche. Lately, peer-to-peer poker products are thinning out among recreational players who prefer less complex content to aim for higher potential wins. After all, it is not easy for newbies to win a decent amount of money in an online room full of professional poker players with bum hunting and chip dumping.
How are virtual reality games performing?
Virtual reality (VR) in the iGaming space is a lot closer than we think in many ways. There were concerns a couple of years ago that VR technology in online gaming would not be affordable enough. However, there also was a time when the first mobile phones were only affordable to the highest earners whereas now, almost everyone has one. Since the speed of technology development is increasing exponentially, it will not be long until VR technology becomes as affordable as any smartphone.
Tech to look out for
Considering the many advancements in today’s technology, many operators are integrating some of the latest tech into their online products, with gaming certainly no exception. One example is online games that integrate virtual reality, allowing players to “travel” anywhere they choose—simply by wearing a headset.
Another is artificial intelligence that allows a custom approach for players based on their preferences and play history. Other examples include non-fungible tokens that offer players uniqueness in the digital world; and blockchain, allowing them to feel more secure in games built on this technology.
What is the average shelf life of an online casino game before it loses popularity?
Hypothetically, if we take the average performing slot game of a vendor and factor in the declining revenues, it could be anywhere between three and seven years for the game to be decommissioned. Depending on the investment made in live casino games, this period could be even shorter as producing a new online table game is much more expensive than producing a new slot machine. However, for new slots or RNG-based content which have conquered several markets and become flagship games, these are unlikely to ever be decommissioned.
