How the Video Gaming and iGaming Industries Have Evolved Over the Years

The gaming industry is ever-evolving. From traditional arcades to top-notch gaming consoles, it’s safe to say the technological transition of this industry is revolutionary. However, the concept of video games has always been intriguing, prompting many people to play them.

This trend has continued. Today, there are billions of gamers worldwide, with a Statista survey recording over 2.96 billion worldwide gamers. While this number is enormous, it is essential to note that many people play for entertainment, not money. Online a few gamers are professional esports athletes.

As a result, non-competitive gamers always seek to make some cash by engaging in casino gaming – especially online casinos. Online casinos are a sure way to make real fast money, and the availability of free mode games and bonuses means you won’t have to spend too much of your money to start earning.

The various tech advancements in the casino sector also mean you can enjoy live dealer games. These new online casinos offer an experience closer to the ones available in physical gaming houses. Some of the best live casinos in the US can be found on this website if you want to try out this mode of casino gaming.

Origin of the iGaming Industry

In 1967, Ralph Baer — the father of video games — created a prototype called the Brown Box, which later launched and powered the popularly known Magnavox Odyssey in 1972, the first gaming console that sold over 130,000 units in its first year. However, while Baer’s invention sold fast and far, it stopped production in 1973 after selling 350,000.

In 1972, right before Baer shut down sales, Nolan Bushnell, also known as the godfather of gaming, took the video gaming market to the next level. First, he founded Atari, a company centred around arcades and electronic gaming machines. Then, in 1973, shortly after Magnavox stopped selling its boxes, Atari took over the market with Pong — the first electronic game and series of arcades.

The Beginning of a Technical Race from the 1970s to 1980s

This was the beginning of a technological revolution, as many companies joined and expanded the business, and the industry boomed between 1972 to the 1980s.

Among these rising companies was Nintendo, which brought the spotlight back to the console industry with the Nintendo Entertainment System consoles, which boasted top-notch games, and quality graphics. Nintendo reestablished the console market with titles like Super Mario and Duck Hunt.

The 1980s saw fierce competition and marketing within the industry. Then in 1994, Sony created the PlayStation. This invention was on another level compared to the standard technology people knew.

PlayStation used CD-ROMS rather than cartridges, which increased storage space, boosting its marketing narratives. PlayStation also sold 102.4 million copies, a feat no company could reach at the time.

The Internet Changed the Story

In the late 1990s, the introduction of the internet greatly influenced the gaming industry. Technological trends helped the development of games through better graphics, higher storage space, fast loads, consoles, sound effects, and target audience reach. Easy internet access also made accessing games online a piece of cake.

It also promoted the production of technologically advanced consoles like the Xbox, with streaming services, various titles, and upgraded consoles. Furthermore, technology has also influenced the industry positively through modern trends like cloud gaming, eSports, and 5G networks, making gaming one of the most booming sectors in history.

The Technologies that Aided the Advancement of iGaming

iGaming has evolved from outdated computer graphics design to innovative, human-like VR designs. Many technologies have made this happen, some of which are:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence makes you feel like the characters are real humans. It’s a core part of virtual reality, but fake intelligence deals more with research and development than the experience video games give players today.

AI helps developers identify and implement more innovative ways to improve your playing experience, including facial recognition features, intelligent sensors on gaming gadgets, and voice effects. All these make playing more exciting.

Virtual Reality (VR)

VR is already a reality as gamers experience their games as if they were occurring in real life and in real-time. VR facilitates the improvement in the surroundings, people, and sounds, making the game’s interaction seem like a human-to-human interaction. Not a human to characters interaction.

VR fabricates reality through games, and that’s what makes it exceptional in today’s world. Other features of VR are the full-body haptic suit which makes you feel exactly what your character feels, the true-to-life headset that sends every sound your device picks, and virtual reality shoes, which transfer your motion to your character’s motion. The latter is primarily used in motorsports.

Mobile Gaming

The mobile adaptation of games has made them more accessible, acceptable, and popular. In addition, the mobile adaptation of some titles makes them more exciting for players who cannot afford consoles, laptops, monitors, and other gadgets that complete a gaming setup.

Mobile gaming provides similar experiences: Human-like characters, sensational sounds, incredible design, and thrilling locations.

Final Thoughts

The 1970s signalled the rise of the gaming era, and with consistent innovations, the industry is unarguably one of the most valuable in the current world and still on the way up.

With the fast rate at which it’s growing, gamers should prepare to embrace further expansions in the next few years. The sector will offer more mainstream and tech-enhanced products, giving its wide range of audiences heightened experiences.