Win Big with Gamification: How Casinos Are Infusing Game Elements Into the Player Experience

2023-12-04

Nowadays, gambling platforms are infusing game-like elements into the player experience to increase engagement. This includes features like heightened cybersecurity, a vast selection of games, and improved UI/UX that make players feel like they are leveling up. 

Thus, competition is fierce in this industry, and that is why New Zeeland operators  have started implementing different benefits to attract more players and provide a satisfying gaming experience.  

Gamification techniques & features

The gamification elements are evident in popular games like Lost Ark, League of Legends, DOTA 2, or Genshin Impact. Players have to either spend real money and “gamble” in the game or earn coins to buy those elements. 

Loot boxes from boss fights

Loot boxes may seem to require you to have excellent playing skills. In some cases, it is true. However, you are in a risk vs reward situation where the system selects your winning. 

The items a boss will drop are typically random, just like gambling outcomes. Players can’t know if they’ll get rare valuable gear or common junk.

Enchants and odds

Enchanting items in games like 4 Ancient The Good Old Times involves refining an object by combining it with reagent items. You can boost your chances of successfully enchanting an item in several ways. 

First, using 3 reagents provides more chances for transferring bonuses than just 1 or 2. Second, reagents should be much higher than the item, ideally at least 20 levels higher. 

Third, certain cash shop items like the Master’s Formula or Craftwork Book substantially increase or guarantee the success rate. Finally, matching item types between the refined object and reagents boosts compatibility for transferring rewards. 

All these steps give you better odds to increase your character’s ability powers. Even if the correlation to gambling is hidden, the baseline is that you must learn tactics to increase your winning chances. Moreover, this is a classic example of any Buy-In Slots. You buy or forge items that help you win more money (or XP). 

However, casino games did not disappoint and started approaching multiple elements from games that made gamers play day and night. 

Gambling with video game features 

The casino industry first took the implementation of better graphics and more diverse themes. But that was only the beginning. 

As video games raise graphical expectations, slots are using 3D animations, dynamic backgrounds and cinematic soundtracks to become more aesthetically pleasing. 

Leveling up

Many slots now have progressive leveling systems, where players earn XP and unlock new slot in-game bonuses as they play more. This provides an ongoing sense of progression, much like leveling up in RPG video games. Examples of slots like this include Thunderstruck II and Book of Oz.

Storytelling

Video game-style storytelling and character development are being incorporated into slots. Cinematic clips, animated characters, and story-driven bonus rounds provide a more engaging and immersive experience. You can think about Gonzo’s Quest adventure and character development during the gambling sessions. 

Mini-games and side quests

Bonus rounds in slots are taking inspiration from mini-games and side quests in video games. These provide gameplay variety and extra challenges for chances to win big. Examples are the Shootout Bonus in Dead or Alive II. 

Moreover, video games often hide secret features, messages or inside jokes. Slots now do the same with hidden mini-games, symbols or bonus triggers. Finding them gives an extra sense of discovery.

Leaderboards and tournaments

Online leaderboards let players compare scores or tournament rankings, which are popular in video games. Some slots now have community leaderboards for features like the highest single spin win.

Some online casino brands have weekly and monthly tournaments with real prizes. The point is to make you play more and find more games. 

Who broke the barrier? 

Gaming and gambling are different, even if they are constantly confused with one another. The first games from centuries ago were potential gambling opportunities for leaders or nobles. Since we’ve got the Internet and we can do most of our hobbies online, a greater approach from video games to casino elements has been observed. 

Video games started to incorporate these gamification elements so that the players could have exciting surprises while growing their characters, getting loot from bosses’ drop or character-bounded skins. And casinos improved their animations and stories to match the energy.