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What are we going to see happening in the year ahead when it comes to gaming in the UK? Is it going to be a year about big titles or new technology? Will we really start to make our first tentative steps into the Metaverse, or be satisfied with the established gaming experiences that we have come to know and love?
There is no doubt that online gaming is a huge global success, and the UK market alone is estimated to be worth $5.53 billion in 2021, making the UK the 6th largest market in the world. It is estimated that there are more than three billion players globally and this number is constantly increasing thanks to ever-emerging technology trends.
The Covid 19 pandemic has actually been beneficial to the gaming industry which saw a massive uplift across all platforms and in all regions. It is predicted that this growth will continue in 2022.
Virtual Reality
Virtual reality games have been one of the biggest recent innovations in online gaming. These games offer an immersive experience with everything looking incredibly real. The player wears a headset to transport them into the game’s reality. The current crop of top titles includes Star Wars Squadrons, Jurassic World Aftermath, and Stride. It is expected that the developers will continue to create new titles, bringing even more excitement to the gameplay. We can also expect to see other technological devices to augment the experience, be that a glove that enhances the sense of touch or lightweight glasses that would replace the headsets. These are certainly the dreams of those creating the world in the Metaverse.
Social Gaming
While we may be a little while off from these ambitions social gaming platforms will likely continue to go from strength to strength. Minecraft must be the ultimate title in this genre where gameplay is goalless, and the play is about social engagement in an active community. Social gaming will continue to be important in 2022 with ongoing titles such as Farmville, The Sims, and Mafia Wars continuing to attract new players.
A developing trend is that of the social casino where virtual rewards are earned for the completion of tasks. These rewards can then be ‘cashed in’ for spins and wins at a virtual casino within the game. No real money is involved – it’s virtual cash, played at a virtual casino – all the thrills of the gamble without the risk. The average social casino gambler is middle-aged and female, however, with games like Grand Theft Auto introducing casino elements 2022 will likely see more young men also taking up this trend.
Online casinos
The world of real online gambling is expected to continue to grow in 2022. It is now possible to enjoy the rush of the casino without having to leave your own home. You set up an account, make a deposit, and can access whatever area of the casino takes your fancy. Maybe it’s a game of Poker, Roulette, or Blackjack that will be your choice of play. Or is it the slots that you will be drawn to? In 2022 we can expect to see many exciting developments on the best new slot sites with games to suit every genre and pocket. These online casinos offer some great bonuses to enhance your experience so keep a lookout for these.
Streaming
Something else to watch out for in 2022 is cloud gaming. As long as you have a stable internet connection and a gaming device. Cloud gaming gives you instant access to games meaning you no longer have to download content, apps, and files. Essentially cloud gaming is streaming for gamers and we can expect to see this continue to grow in popularity.
Essentially online is where the gaming will be in 2022.
