Online gaming gained mass market appeal in the early 2000s when the cost of technology that supported it, including the internet for the consumer and servers for developers, became much more affordable. This resulted in the release of a wave of new online-focused franchises, many of which are still popular today, such as Halo and World of Warcraft.

Fast forward to the early 2020s and online gaming is one of the most accessible and affordable pastimes for consumers globally. It is now possible to play casino games on your phone. All you need to do is navigate to a site with a wide range of exciting video slots on your smartphone and select your game of choice. These slots can be played with real money when you sign up and trigger a registration bonus.

Several remarkable technological advancements have made this possible. Games that have been created by industry-leading producers like NetEnt are hosted on reputable casino sites and made accessible to players who have a mobile or Wi-Fi connection. The seamless blend of technology provides an excellent user experience that would not have been possible before the internet and smartphones.

The development of web browsers has also increased the functionality, security, and complexity of online games. While games played via web browsers were once simple, single-player games, the development of “high-level” web-based graphic tech like Java has made it possible to release feature-rich games online without having to go through the process of lengthy downloads and installs.

Playing games online in this way is now natural for younger generations, who have embraced both single-player and community-based experiences across a range of genres. The development of web design is still continuing at a remarkable pace. This has seen the emergence of web tech such as Ajax, which is capable of supporting more complex multiplayer interactions. The WebGL standard also supports greater graphic fidelity without the need to install additional plugins.

The recent hype surrounding cloud gaming is also having an impact on how people access their favorite titles online. The cloud has supported cross-platform gameplay, which has brought more players together and increased the scope of multiplayer games. The cloud is set to drive market growth and support cutting-edge tech experiences built around virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and more. This will change how people interact with games online.

Finally, online games would not be as safe without the technology that protects players’ personal information and funds and secures web pages from hackers and malicious third parties. A few of the protocols that online sites now implement include end-to-end encryption, ID verification, two-step verification, SSL and TLS. Websites use this tech to deliver the best possible experience to users and give them peace of mind. This extends to payment services, which support faster deposits and withdrawals. All of this tech has made playing games online a better experience for players across all devices, whether they are gaming at home, at work, or while commuting.