The last ten years in the gaming industry have certainly been eventful. From 2015 until the eventual releases in 2020, Sony and Microsoft were working diligently on their latest and still most recent console models. Within just over a week of each other, the Xbox Generation Four and PS5 hit physical and online stores on 10^th November and 19^th November 2020, respectively. These two consoles have formed the cornerstone of modern-day gaming as we know it for decades already.

However, with further advances made in technology and software, more innovative ideas within the entertainment realm have emerged in recent years and some of these are preparing themselves for a prolonged stay in the industry. PlayStations and Xboxes are still popular across multiple generations, but new forms of entertainment that span across a wider range of digital devices are beginning to establish themselves in the mainstream.

The Rise of iGaming

In recent years, originating primarily out of the pandemic shadows, internet gaming has captured the imagination of entertainment enthusiasts worldwide. The term “iGaming” has been banded around with greater regularity as new, innovative gaming avenues such as online casino play and online sports betting began to grow rapidly in popularity.

The former especially has enjoyed worldwide acclaim with more countries looking to join the online casino movement and claim a slice of the US$76.79 billion pie that the online casino market has accumulated over the years. And the industry is not stopping there. The online gambling market as a whole is expected to hit US$169.22 billion by 2030. Quite staggering for an entertainment avenue that only really rose to prominence during the pandemic, when people around the world were confined to their homes in desperate need of online entertainment.

Nowadays though, popular games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, and slots are being played worldwide with players from every continent taking advantage of the added convenience that comes from playing these games on the internet at one’s own leisure. Furthermore, with the ability to play on the full range of digital devices, including smart watches, online casinos are redefining the parameters of gaming.

The graphics found on online slots especially are also beginning to rival those seen on video game consoles while interactive features such as the bonus buy option on these slots are further evolving the definition of gamification. Online slots are seen as the main driver of the popularity of online casinos and there is even more to come in the world of online slots.

Gaming in a New Reality

With so many new introductions in the gaming world presenting themselves on the market in the past few years, predominantly in the iGaming industry which also encompasses Esports, gamers might be wandering when the next big feature will land. The truth is, not long. Although the tech has been in the works for years already, virtual, and augmented reality are finally set to make an impact on the gaming world.

Batman: Arkham Shadow continues to reel in complimentary reviews following its release on Meta Quest 3/3S. The implementation of VR in this particular title is an exciting step on the evolutionary path for gaming. With VR expected to impact the iGaming industry as well to complement the emergence of live casino game play, the evolution is not slowing down.