The online gaming industry is undoubtedly one of the major sectors in the entertainment market today, as well as one of the fastest growing, having been part of the mainstream since its emergence in the mid-2000s and setting a new standard for the gaming industry.
As technology improves at an astounding rate, the industry’s top players are pushing for advances and new gaming features that are leading to a complete overhaul of how we play online.
Over the past couple of years, with the COVID-19 pandemic, online gaming has become a great alternative for those left at home to comply with medical and social distancing protocols, and the online gaming industry has recorded some of the highest growth rates in world history.
In these atypical years, online gambling platforms, or iGaming, which have grown in popularity, have introduced a new generation of consoles and even gamification of learning and thus opened up a whole new world of possibilities for gamers around the world.
Although the pandemic is finally coming to an end, interest in gaming remains high, and recent studies have shown that new gaming opportunities such as blockchain, or crypto-games, will have a big impact on sales in the industry for years to come. Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that there is more to come as online gaming matures and becomes a force in the entertainment marketplace.
With the introduction of newer technologies, innovative gaming platforms and new gaming trends, developers, publishers and even software providers have been able to create new gaming activities, provide immersive and enhanced gaming environments that allow gamers to fully explore the world of online gaming and enjoy various aspects of virtual entertainment.
The following is a look at some of these new trends that are paving the way for a complete change in the online gaming industry.
Blockchain Gaming
Blockchains, criptomoedas e NFTs are now some of the most popular phenomena on the Internet.
For those unfamiliar with these terms, blockchains act as cash books for cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether; in turn, cryptocurrencies are digital currencies stored in encrypted databases, and NFTs (from non-original tokens) are unique digital assets in a blockchain.
Blockchain games or cryptogames, as we mentioned above, are games that incorporate one or more of these aspects. The concept of blockchain games was originally introduced in the early 2010s, and the first games were released in 2015.
Initially, most of these games were developed around collectibles in the form of NFT, such as virtual pets, trading cards, and even virtual real estate.
As blockchain technology has evolved, many new games have been created with more advanced gameplay and mechanics. Currently, some of the most popular crypto games include Elevation, in which players become digital landlords by buying, selling and exchanging virtual property based on real locations, Bomba Crypto, an adventure game with “play to win” (play to earn) mechanics and gameplay similar to the classic Bomberman and Splinterlands, a card game very similar to the classic Hearthstone.
IGaming
Gambling and betting have long been some of the most popular hobbies around the world, whether it’s classic games like roulette and blackjack or sports betting.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures, the online gambling industry, or iGaming, has experienced a surge in popularity as physical gambling establishments have been forced to suspend their operations.
Today, there is a wide variety of online casinos and sports betting sites. Online casino options range from classic casino games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat and craps to live, real-time games.
As for sports betting, players can bet on major sporting events from around the world, including popular leagues and tournaments such as the NBA, UEFA Champions League, Libertadores and Campeonato Brasileiro.
Game-Based Learning
A game-based learning is an educational approach that uses video game design and game elements in the learning environment to engage and encourage students. The ultimate goal is to increase enjoyment and engagement by engaging students and encouraging them to learn more. In the past two years, game-based learning has played a key role in educational processes during the pandemic.
According to gamification theory in education, “Students learn best when they are having fun.” It also means that students learn best when they have clear goals, milestones, objectives, and achievements to strive for.
Given the appealing features of video games that intrigue children and adults alike, it makes sense to see similar engagement results when these gaming components are applied to learning materials.
As technology advances and penetrates much of our daily lives, changing the way we work, shop, socialize, and play, teacher educators and researchers are beginning to explore the potential benefits of using technology in the classroom.