Few industries have grown as rapidly as gaming over the past few decades. It has become a force within the entertainment industry, taking over music and movies as the most popular entertainment genre. Despite all of this growth, the industry is showing no signs of slowing down, making it an attractive target for entrepreneurs who want to capitalize on the biggest trends in gaming to stay competitive. In this article, we look at some of the biggest trends in gaming and things entrepreneurs should think about before entering the industry.
Here are 4 biggest trends in gaming and opportunities for entrepreneurs:
1. iGaming
Betting and gaming are the two divisions within igaming, which spans everything from online casinos to sports betting and slot machines. Technological advancements have allowed igaming to take off in recent years, with online casinos becoming commonplace during the past decade, making it one of the biggest trends in gaming. Getting into the igaming market as an entrepreneur requires knowing the technical aspects of the industry. For example, themed slot games are some of the most popular offerings in this market. Having an understanding of how slots work on virtual platforms like PokerStars Casino and in brick-and-mortar casinos can go a long way toward helping you build your business.
There’s never been a better time to get into igaming, as it’s expanding by leaps and bounds, and there are plenty of opportunities for new investors thanks to emerging markets and the expansion of gaming in previously closed markets. Whether you are considering starting a new igaming platform or a blog for affiliate marketing, there are many opportunities available. As artificial intelligence and blockchain become more integrated into igaming, additional opportunities will become available.
2. Rise of Mobile Gaming
Gaming was once played mostly on consoles and PCs, but with the release of the first iPhone in 2007 that slowly began to change. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t have a smartphone, and most people play games on their smartphone from time to time. This accessibility has fueled the industry’s growth, and revenues are projected to keep growing over the next ten years. Casual gamers are one of the fastest-growing audiences because they like playing games on the go. Game developers will keep making games designed for mobile devices and create new genres to attract more players.
3. Esports and Competitive Gaming
Esports and competitive gaming have grown rapidly and are now a significant part of gaming globally. A large number of esports leagues and tournaments have been created, attracting millions from around the world to watch or participate. Media rights, merchandise, and sponsorships have helped fill the coffers of esports leagues, and major events like League of Legends World Finals and The International for Dota 2 have helped set the standard for competitive gaming tournaments.
As the esports sector grows, having already surpassed some professional sporting leagues in viewership numbers, there are many opportunities for entrepreneurs looking for lucrative investments and business opportunities. Whether it’s a brand seeking to engage with a new audience or a startup aiming to provide services like team management, event organization, or content creation, the opportunities within esports are vast, still growing, and worth a closer look.
4. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
Once upon a time, strapping on a headset and traveling to a different universe was a thing of science fiction. However, over the past few years, VR and AR have become realities, transporting gamers to the middle of digital universes and allowing them to experience their favorite titles like they’re a part of the game. Technological advancements have driven this innovation, and developers have taken advantage of it to create immersive and interactive gaming environments.
And all of these changes are a big part of what’s driving growth in the gaming sector. At the same time, the technology behind these devices hasn’t stopped improving, and that has created new opportunities for research and development in the biggest trends in gaming. As the price of these headsets drops and more people buy them, the market is expanding. This trend is expected to continue into the foreseeable future and presents an excellent opportunity for technologically-minded entrepreneurs.
