Top Trends in the Online Gaming Industry for 2022

Gaming

Although there was significant growth in the gaming community in 2020, it’s estimated that the number of digital gamers will go on to reach 185.5 million by 2025. While audience numbers are expected to grow in the next few years, gaming businesses need to keep developing innovative features so that they can sustain the interest among the gaming community.

Gaming developers can maintain loyalty and support by keeping up with the top trends in the industry. So without further ado, here are the biggest online gaming trends that are dominating the industry this year, including trends for console games, online casino games, and much more:

Integrating Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence plays a key role in advancing technologies and medical processes. However, the casino industry discovered that AI can also be transformative when it comes to online casino games.

The industry already collects and studies historical data to improve online casino games. AI is undoubtedly the best technology for this, because innovation harvests and analyzes data to improve game designs, risk management, rewards program optimization, and fraud detection. For instance, online casino giants Flutter Entertainment and Entain have partnered with Mindway AI to analyze consumer behavior, while ZEAL has recently signed with the AI company to observe important trends among their player base.

Next Generation Consoles

Consoles enhance the gaming experience by connecting users and improving their navigation across the game. Unfortunately, popular tabletop and portable consoles like Nintendo Wii and 3DS are expecting fewer sales due to the next generation of gaming consoles. Though it’s also predicted that Sony may leave the portable sector, they may gain an edge because the PS5 console that’s due this year will feature a higher-end SSD. This feature will change online gaming for the better, as the superior SSD can reduce loading times for online games and deliver a smoother experience. So while the sales for older consoles have decreased, their more advanced counterparts are gaining more attention due the popularity of online multiplayers.

Cryptocurrencies in Online Casino Games

Some video games have already integrated cryptocurrencies, and it looks like online casino games will continue to do so throughout this year.

Banks are now prohibited to process online gambling transactions between states that haven’t legalized online casino games yet. However, cryptocurrencies may be the key to legalizing online poker games in all 50 U.S. states. Crypto allows players to transfer their funds directly to their online poker accounts, making it easier for players to take part in games or tournaments. This could be a game-changer for the gaming industry, because crypto circumvents the laws placed on transferring funds in the states that have yet to legalize online casino gaming.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Industry

Gaming spans all demographics, which is why gamers are pushing for more diversity and inclusion within the industry.

Though women make up almost half of the gaming industry, Meta’s report revealed that only 35% of gamers saw characters that represented their gender or race. This is an alarming statistic, especially considering that gamers are more engaged and invested in the game if they can see themselves in the game characters. Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry, Split Fate Studios is releasing an online game about an all-girls eSports team this year. Meanwhile, Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers, the 2022 follow-up to Arcade Spirits, allows players to explore LGBTQ+ relationships while their characters play in arcades.

The interests of gamers can shift radically; so gaming companies need to staying ahead of the curve. By understanding these major changes in the industry, gaming developers can meet industry and consumer needs for years to come.