The world of gaming doesn’t exist in a silo by itself. It is informed by other industries and technologies around it and in turn, informs these other industries. For instance, there are a lot of similarities between the video game industry and the online casino industry. Not only do they appeal to a similar audience, but they provide a similar mode of entertainment. Yet, they are also vastly different. Despite their differences, both can learn from one another. So, what can the online casino and video game industries teach each other?

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Online Casino Industry’s Variety

The online casino industry is known for its variety, which is something that video gaming has also adopted in some ways. The nature of the development of online casino titles means that players can experience a multitude of different slot games, table games, and live casino games under one banner.

With the player already on a site, delivering a new game is less of a risk than for a completely new video game release that expects players to pay for it. For instance, the range of titles on offer at Royal Panda shows that players can discover classics such as Rich Wilde’s Book of Dead and seasonal offerings such as Fat Santa and Big Bad Wolf Christmas Special. This is unlike video games, who undertake a huge amount of cost to create a new game, market it, and then recoup the sales.

How customers interact with online casino games means titles can be created with more confidence that customers are likely to interact with them, so more risks can be taken for seasonal variants. The Christmas games may only be available for a month, for instance.

Video games may struggle to create this variety, especially with the time it takes to create one title. Instead, they rely on other developers to bring forth titles for the same console, but which provide enough variety. Xbox fans can jump from a first-person shooter to a fantasy game which helps to showcase the variety of both. Individual games are also embracing a mixed approach to gameplay, which could satiate a player’s desire for variety.

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Video Game Industry’s Fanbases

The video game industry, on the other hand, can teach the online casino industry on how to mobilise its fanbase. Forums and online discussion portals have been a staple for those who play video games. They can find like-minded players to game together. Mobilizing the fanbase helps create excitement for a new release in the lead up to the release date and amplifies the brand’s message thereafter.

The online casino industry could therefore lean into the social element that could allow players to interact outside of the game through social media or on a forum. This could give insight into future titles that players want or could fix a minor issue that nobody ever anticipated. By providing fans with a platform to discuss things, more buzz can also be created around games, especially new releases. Both versions of entertainment are solitary pursuits but could benefit from a socialised discussion element.

Both Learn from Mobile

Mobile gaming was a stealthy operator and eventually ended up bringing in more revenue than all other forms of gaming combined. While it may have initially been a competitor for traditional console gaming, many are finding ways to work together with the mobile gaming industry. And online casinos are also discovering how they could learn from mobile.

Many video games can be played both on console and mobile, such as Hearthstone, Fortnite, and Rocket League. The cross-platform benefits are felt by both gaming verticals. Indeed, online casinos also ensure they have a mobile-optimized site. If customers are spending a lot of their media time on their smartphones, it makes sense to target them when they are there.

There are many industries under the banner of entertainment that are similar enough to learn from one another, but different enough to appeal to a varied audience. The online casino and video game industries show this and prove that borrowing success from another sector could be fruitful.