Many people who love video games often engage in online gambling, as these two worlds have a great deal in common. After all, many of the video game elements, including risk and reward, are ingrained in casino games. And with sites such as gambleonline.co.nz making it easier for players to find reputable casinos, the crossover from video games to online casinos has only increased. Interestingly, video games have also been borrowing elements from the casino world. We look at what they now feature, how it impacts the gaming experience, and some of the top games with these elements.
Gambling Elements in Video Games
Video games have always been known for their emphasis on skill, such that the players who embrace the best strategies often have the upper hand. But casino games employ a balance between skill and chance such that even where a player has incredible skills, luck may not be on their side, and that’s part of the thrill. With casino games picking up pace, video games have been incorporating these luck-based elements in their narratives in the following ways:
Loot boxes. Players who want to elevate their skills in video games can buy or earn these boxes. They usually feature things like weapons or skins; however, players do not know what is in the box until they have bought it, which is much like playing a casino game. After all, you are gambling with the results!
Traditional casino games. Some video games take things to the next level by allowing players to engage in casino games inside the video game. For example, a part of the storyline may require the player to walk into a saloon and play a few games, which is usually the case with GTA. The casino games and atmosphere are usually as realistic as those in casino sites, thus giving players a true taste of gambling. However, these games do not pay out in real money and instead offer players virtual cash, which they can use inside the game.
Daily spins or scratch cards. Have you ever played a game like slots? How about roulette? These games follow the same principle, such that players must make wagers on completely randomized results. The same premise now shows in many video games where players get the chance to spin a wheel or scratch a card with the hope of bagging a reward. Since the whole process is random, it is much like playing a casino game.
Betting. As the world of e-sports has grown, rankings have become quite important, as wins often result in huge payouts. Besides participating in the games for the prizes, players now get the chance to wager on the most likely results. It’s quite fun, especially for casual players who can spend time analyzing the leaderboards and cashing in on their knowledge.
All in all, the integration of these elements has blurred some of the lines between video and casino games, enabling players to easily move from one world to the other.
Why Does the Integration Matter?
Video games are often good enough on their own. So, why would developers add gambling elements? For one, they make the games more interactive and exciting, as players love the thrill of anticipating rewards or even winning. And the more players enjoy this unpredictability, the more they play the games. Secondly, it provides players with unique chances to level up, as they can win prizes that they may have had to work for in other levels. We must also look at it from the video game provider’s perspective –loot boxes and other features that allow players to use real money create an opportunity for them to make more money. In the end, everybody scores a win!
The Top Video Games in this Category
While many video games have incorporated some form of gambling in their storylines or key features, the following take the cake due to their innovative twists:
Red Dead Redemption 2. What says Wild West more than the chance to wager on a traditional casino game? This game allows players to use virtual money in any location that offers typical casino games, be it poker or dominoes. So, when players are not dealing with rival gangs and trying to avoid the long arm of the law, they get to relax and possibly make some cash.
Grand Theft Auto. This franchise has some of the most engaging storylines, where players are free to choose what to do with their characters. Sometimes, they are escaping the police, and at others, they are stealing ambulances, buying properties, or even completing missions for other people. But at the end of the day, criminals also need to unwind, which they can do in the virtual casino.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. As Geralt of Rivia works to find his daughter and keep his enemies at bay, the quests can become quite challenging. But players can always take some time off from the unending twists and turns by playing a card game known as Gwent. Here, they get to put their virtual cash on the line, which makes the game quite exciting.
Other top games in this regard are the FIFA Ultimate Team, where players can access loot boxes, and Fallout: New Vegas, where players get access to realistic casinos with all sorts of games.