The Crossover Trend Between Co-Op Gaming and Casino Culture
MET TIT Casino games and co-op titles collide as we discuss the similar elements in both genres
MET DES Casino culture often seems distant and aloof to many gamers. Yet, for fans of co-op titles, they share many similar elements. You can find out how alike they are in the article below.
More than ever, the lines between gaming and the casino are breaking down. As more mainstream titles incorporate loot box-style elements and casino titles increase their graphical playability while drawing ideas from traditional gaming, the line is being blurred. In fact, there are many similarities between co-op gaming and the casino.
The Main Elements of Co-Op Gaming
Co-op gaming has long been a big draw for players since the inception of video games. Usually, gaming is viewed by outsiders as quite a secluded pursuit. Yet more than ever, people love to play games together: Be it sitting next to friends on a sofa, or engaging online in sprawling open world scenarios.
Experiencing wins, losses, and achievements together is the foundation of any strong relationship, and is what we experience in co op gaming. In many ways, it is a life lesson, teaching communication and problem-solving as a group. These unique opportunities are not found when playing alone. You don’t have people to share the trials and tribulations with.
Co-op games don’t have to be serious either. Casual co-op games are very popular and can often be purchased quite cheaply on Steam. Thus, people can bond and enjoy great times while chatting, eating food, and generally socialising.
How Are Casino Games Similar?
Online casinos have become extremely popular across the globe. From the United States to Asia, countries and states are developing their regulations and provisions for online casino games. For example, you can find out which are the best real money online casinos in Hong Kong and start playing easily online. Having this accessibility from anywhere in the world has increased their popularity.
Traditional casino games can be broken down into two main categories. These are either slot games or table games. Slots are quite an isolated pursuit, and don’t embody many elements that make co op gaming attractive. However, they still manage to bring in around $35.51 billion each year, so they are wildly popular.
Table games are played in two ways: Either competitively against other players, as in the case of poker, or against a dealer. While neither has a real element of cooperative play, they do embody many similarities.
In the case of poker, where people play against each other, the social element is strong. People play poker in private games, matches, where they eat and talk about life. Even though they are competing, the ups and downs are still often shared. Watch as a card is turned over on the river that bags someone a large pot. Everyone shares in the anticipation and eventual exhilaration.
In games played against a dealer, despite sharing a common enemy, there tends to be a more secluded approach. People become concerned only with their hand in blackjack, or how the falling of the ball on a roulette wheel impacts them. Occasionally, people may bond over certain results, but it is often done in a less social way than poker.
Bridging the Gap: The New Generation of Casino Titles
This social element is not something that has gone unnoticed by casino game developers. It was the pioneering title Aviator that really took this social concept to the maximum. The game has players wagering on the trajectory of an aircraft. A simple yet effective concept, the longer people stay in the game, the more they win. Yet if they don’t cash out before the aircraft crashes, they lose the wager. Originally available on niche crypto casinos, it can now be found on most operators' platforms and has 5 million monthly active players.
However, it was the social element that really made the game popular. For the first time, people at online casinos were betting on the same outcome. They share wins and losses, something the developers were keen to work on. This resulted in the creation of a lobby before games start, so people can discuss tactics. In some instances, people can pool their bets, making a full co-operative experience. It was this that made the game revolutionary.
A further way in which social elements have been used is with live casino games. These employ a streaming element, where a dealer streams the action to players from a studio. They can then use the integrated software to make bets and interact using chat functions. This often provides the social element lost through online casino play, almost as if the player is at the casino.
Creating a true co op gambling experience, where people make decisions and pool their money, is still something yet to be fully explored. This may be because there are certain legal ramifications to it, and it could cause financial disputes. The desire for it is there, and if developers can take their cues from some of the best gambling games, it should not be long before one arrives.
Titles like Aviator have shown that taking these risks with new games pays off. As casino provisions become closer to traditional gaming experiences, it may not be long before you can experience true co op play.