Video games and gambling: Are they just alike? It’s a question that may seem unexpected, but the answer is Yes. Perhaps not in a direct way, but there still are many similarities between these two hobbies.
In today’s digital age, computer-simulated gambling has made it possible for people to have simulated gambling experiences. These web-based video games don’t require any physical interaction with money but can be accessed on computers and mobile devices. The possibility of winning or losing money isn’t even an issue for these “gamers”, since the virtual currency is used instead. Video game developers who have been inspired by casino titles can be found all over the world today. There are casino games (especially slots) that have been inspired by video games too. So, it’s only natural for online casinos to gain inspiration from video games too, and vice versa. Here’s what they both have in common
1. They both rely on Random Number Generators
According to the definition in Wikipedia, “randomness is the lack of pattern or predictability in events.” In video games, random numbers are used to drive a lot of events in a game. They are used to determine if an attack succeeds if an enemy spawns on screen if a potion has an effect and other events in the game.
The two most critical parts of every casino game and video game are the Random Number Generator (RNG) & the pseudo-random number sequence. Both require the generation of a random value to ensure that players don’t have an advantage over casino or video game developers. RNGs have been used in casinos since the 1970s, and video games started using them in the late 1980s as well. At an early stage, computer games hadn’t been able to guarantee “true” randomness at all, but now that technology has improved, it is possible for developers to create programs that generate truly random numbers. Even though the “logic” behind video games is backed by laws of physics, they still incorporate RNGs to ensure that there is no bias.
2. Both draw inspiration from Mythology
Mythological elements in video games are some of the most popular out there. They also offer a huge potential for interesting gameplay. Unfortunately, they have not been tapped into as much as they could be, and many modern mythological games are plagued by being faithful to the mythology while sacrificing playability. This doesn’t mean mythological games are doomed to mediocrity or failure though. There is still a lot of great ideas out there that can be exploited.
I’ll start off with an example that is probably already on a lot of people’s minds: God of War. The God of War series is all about Kratos (a mortal) taking his revenge upon the Olympian gods for their cruelty and corruption over the years. It’s a simple premise that allows for easy storytelling and a wide range of objectives for the player. Yet it crams a long list of elements from Greek mythology into its framework. The hydra, minotaurs, medusa, gorgons, cyclops, harpies and so many more make up Kratos’ enemies in the game. But they are just enemies to be torn apart by the furious rage of Kratos. They have no personalities or character to them whatsoever, just names and appearances (though the designs themselves are strong enough to make them memorable). The game relies so much on the stories and personalities of these creatures from mythology to make the plot interesting but completely forgets to do that itself. Zeus and co. have just fleshed out versions of “boss” enemies, and none of them are very interested in combat. There are some games that have pulled this off: God of War is not one of them.
Casino software developers love making Mythology inspired slots too. In particular, they use the ancients’ mythology for game design and create video slots with a mythological theme. The players don’t have to read a book or search the internet to learn about the history of gods and heroes, thanks to these games. Online casino software developers even create new myths by creating their own unique story-lines! Some slots with a mythology theme come with the background of places and events from the history of ancient cultures. Mythology gods become symbols on the reels, and they let you win nice prizes.
Real stories, adventures, and intrigue are all part of this genre. Most developers choose to present their own version of a mythological story in order to create their video slots, but still, they maintain its core essence.
Fun fact
A few ancient civilizations had their own gods of gambling:
- Hermes – god of gambling in Greek mythology
- Thoth – god of gambling in Egyptian mythology
- Macuilxochitl– god of gambling in Aztec mythology
3. You can bet on e-sports at a casino
eSports is a term used for competitive video gaming. It consists of organized, multiplayer video game competitions, particularly between professional players. In contrast to sports’ involvement of physical sportsmanship and athleticism, eSports emphasize mental and strategic skills, ranging from planning and adaptation through to pressurized decision-making under conditions of extreme stress. eSports can be seen as an extension of traditional sports with the element of competition being replaced by video games.
eSports are generally designed as spectator events for observers online or in person. Most commonly, competitors will gather into teams or squads and compete against other teams or squads.
The popularity of e-sports in Asia particularly South Korea has led to the creation of betting agencies that accept bets on e-sports. Players can bet on e-sports in a similar manner as betting on other sports within traditional casinos. Gambling on e-sports is still in its early stages and currently betting on e-sports is mostly limited to a few regions such as South Korea. Casinos like caesarsgames.com are experimenting with e-sports too. You will soon be able to bet on esports like Dota2, LoL, Counter-Strike, and Hearthstone at all mainstream casinos.
While e-sports is still an emerging market, casino operators are finding different ways to bring the excitement of e-sports betting to their players. A good example of an innovative move is the creation of eSports leagues that can be both accessed online and in person.
As casinos and gambling websites start to embrace esports as a form of sport next to horse racing or football, online bettors will have more options when it comes to betting on their favorite games like Starcraft or the Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS). This may also be a step towards the legalization of esports betting in traditional casinos too.
