Remember the good old days when digital casino games consisted of nothing more than a simple mechanic without any crazy graphics? Slots would have nothing but a lever and a couple of spinning cherries, while Blackjack was just the cards and chips on the table. Compared to modern casino gaming, these feel ancient, but it was probably for the best that so much more detail was added, as those were…kind of boring. With how far current casinos have come in elevating player experiences through gamification, the next step should borrow from the video game industry. More specifically, combining the storytelling/narrative aspect with the casino game format.
The Casino’s Digital Revolution & The High Roller Segment
Before delving deeper, it is important to understand how integrating such innovations into online casino platforms works in their favour. It is no secret that the online casino market is super competitive, meaning many operators need to follow the “adapt or die” rule to survive. This includes incorporating digital innovations such as live dealer games, mobile-first platform designs, and even AI/VR (Artificial Intelligence/Virtual Reality).
Unfortunately, being an online casino operator is hard as you’re not just competing against other iGaming platforms, but physical counterparts as well. You’re probably wondering what the point of doing this is if it’s something that each online casino is already doing. This is a valid thought, as it alludes to how there are no qualities really setting each casino apart and making their service offerings unique. However, that is not necessarily true, and we can look at high roller online casinos as an example and how customers are treated as VIP players. Although these offer players crypto rewards, higher deposit limits, and access to high-stakes tables, it is the player experience that sets them apart.
Players automatically gain VIP-level treatment, gaining special high-value promos with better terms and other extra perks. In doing so, these casinos effectively set themselves apart from other options by ensuring players have a memorable experience. This is all to say that an online casino’s lifeline is its customers, which is why going bigger will see the best results.
The Problem With Pure Chance (The Narrative Vacuum)
When you consider how this generation of punters was raised on narrative-heavy RPG and action games, it suddenly makes casino games seem flat and uninteresting. With a game like Oxenfree and its sequel, you experience what the characters are feeling while uncovering the mysterious and intriguing plot as you progress. In comparison, a casino game is not going to offer you the same depth, with there being no purpose beyond gambling and winning money. This is where the central flaw of the current casino landscape comes into play: there is nothing interesting about the services being offered to players.
Themed slots are a good example of what casinos should avoid doing, as these movie or Halloween themes just act as window dressing for a game that still lacks depth. Although the core mechanic is vital for gambling, the casino world has already added extra fluff borrowed from the video game sector. The entire concept of “gamification” (leaderboards, badges, achievements, unlockable content) stems from trying to mimic the level of engagement only brought about through video games. As such, the realistic next step would be borrowing the storytelling element (the core aspect of player retention) and using it to improve casino games.
What A “True” Story-Driven Casino Game Looks Like
Of course, this begs the question of what makes a game truly story-driven, and how this would apply to casino games. For one, allowing for branching narratives, long-term player progression, and offering players meaningful choices beyond their bankroll is a starting point. Figuring out the mechanics for such an integration could be a headache, but once again, borrowing from existing video games makes sense. Perhaps adding a turn-based combat mechanic to slot games is a good idea, as players can treat each draw or spin as an attack, with a successful spin dropping loot or other treasures.
Character and base building would be a great addition to the overall casino gameplay, with punters unlocking cosmetics and rewards as they progress. Setting this up so players still receive rewards for their character, even when suffering a gambling loss, is a great way to increase engagement. Instead of just playing to win, punters are now invested beyond the monetary gain, as there are other areas of focus to preoccupy themselves with. This is how emotional investment is built successfully, with it acting as the true currency. Players now care about their characters, the narrative, and overall progression alongside gambling, adding more value to the service offering.
Technological Hurdles and Development Challenges
Naturally, combining casino games with storytelling is easier said than done, and it should come as no surprise that doing so can prove challenging. For one, how would developers combine RNG (Random Number Generators) with a pre-written, progressive storyline? These concepts contradict one another, which can put developers in a very tricky situation. Additionally, this process would come with a lot of costs, as, essentially, developers would be creating a casino game with the narrative of an RPG. Although there is a very high chance of operators seeing an increase in player retention, there is also the chance of it flopping.
Would it be worth risking such a large investment in this case? Lastly, there is the issue of legality and regulatory complexities that place casino game developers in a small box. Generally, the regulatory environment surrounding gambling is very restrictive, with a huge focus being placed on “player control”. Specifically, operators should not have too much player control, which can be achieved if, for example, casino games became more skill-based. In turn, developers need to walk a tight rope to ensure their casino games are engaging and interesting for players while still being as creative as possible.
The Future: A Gaming Convergence
With the emergence of new technological innovations each day, these technical hurdles will be much easier to overcome for operators and developers. Storytelling could make for a total industry convergence, elevating casino games from basic mechanics to an endless pool of possibilities. Picture this: you log onto your favourite iGaming platform to complete your daily slot spins, and doing so contributes to an overarching narrative that helps with world-building. Instead of this attracting existing punters, it will act as a catalyst for the next generation of gamers to try out these types of casino games. Bear in mind, many gamers are comfortable with the free-to-play and microtransaction video game models, but that’s because they get something out of it. This comes in the form of narrative value and character progression, equating to time and money well spent.
