Casino games have undergone an enormous transformation since the early days of online platforms. Within a small window of a few years in the early 2000s, online gambling sites went from the small corners of the market to the new frontier that helped spearhead the industry’s growth into the digital landscape.
Pretty quickly, it became clear to designers that the new battleground would be within the realms of game design. It didn’t matter whether it was in slot gaming or in the underlying technology that ensured live dealer games had no latency problems; the main goal was for casinos to develop ideas and designs that helped them stand out in a global market.
Those that managed it, particularly in the early stages of online casinos in the 2000s, stood in a great position to become the leading names in the new fabric of the market, and while not all of the most prominent names in the market established themselves then, those that did stood the best chance of longevity.
Sampling Different Types Of Craft
When gamers think of casino game design, it’s easy for our minds to drift to the user-facing platforms we are used to. This can range from slot games with vivid graphics and sophisticated grid designs to lightning-roulette tables with electrifying, almost palpable levels of intensity.
For some, especially those who appreciate the technical sides of casino gaming sites, the live gaming technology that has changed the industry over the last decade and a half is the most underrated area of the craft. There’s no longer any downtime; the highest-rated live dealer games often have social elements to them, as well as in-game graphics that are just as accessible on a smartphone as they are on a tablet or iPad.
A casino site that features live dealers has an entire ocean of technological marvels that ensure the finished product is as smooth as possible. Just as in the broader context of online video gaming, the goal is to ensure the user experience is as smooth as possible.
Casino gamers lose interest quickly if the screen freezes while they’re placing bets. It is not giving them a live playthrough of their bet and how it is shaping up – without this, the industry would not have established the stellar reputation it has within game design circles, which has, in turn, allowed live dealer tables to become one of the main staples of online casino gaming.
Broadening The Horizons
For some casino gamers, the genuine innovations in craft and design have emerged from payment systems. Integrating new payment methods and features into any market is not easy. Still, in the world of cryptocurrency casinos, where users regularly deposit and withdraw funds, these issues can be amplified.
As you can see in the link below, marketers have not wasted any time in fusing cryptocurrency giveaways with traditional promotions in a format often associated with conventional designs. Craft also applies to marketing ideas: without their creativity, even the best games can struggle to reach their full potential audience and get lost in the noise of a saturated market.
Visual Innovations
Within a short span of time, casino games went from traditional 3×3-reel slots and basic virtual poker and roulette to huge, expansive, modular designs that added an entirely new dimension to the market.
While AI tools have become some of the most popular ways brands design their logos, it was the craft and the human design that went into globally successful games like Starburst and other candy-themed games that focus on the visual aspect and highly intricate designs.
In addition, the growth of live table technology and the intricate designs we see in many other card-based casino classics like blackjack and poker have helped create the visual spectacle that has led the casino gaming industry to reach remarkable new heights and explore exciting new territory.
The Future Of Casino Gaming Craft
With so many tech innovations starting to have a disruptive impact on the world of gaming, it is difficult to say just what the future holds for designers and those who champion the individual craft and design of casino games.
Many within the gaming industry have spoken about how AI is set to cause massive disruption. For those who prefer the human touch and make it their mission to turn gaming ideas into their own projects and reality, they may rightly feel they are being overlooked again, especially if their roles are deemed replaceable by AI.
Ultimately, there’s a long way to go yet. There are plenty of people in the tech world who believe the power of AI is being overstated, and that we won’t see its true impact for a few years.
This statement applies to the world of game design generally, as well as casino gaming design. While designers remain undervalued and underappreciated, there are still plenty of designs and ideas for them to discover and profit from.