Credit: Lee Davy on Flickr via CC BY 2.0 – no changes were made to the image
Gamers are always on the hunt for a better playing experience, whether it’s better graphics, faster payouts, more inclusive plots, or improved gameplay mechanics—and, notably, they’re open to developers using emerging technology to get the job done.
According to Inworld Research, 99% of gamers think AI alone can help power nonplayer characters or NPCs to make games even more immersive. That’s why more video game startups like A16Z now use generative AI to create NPCs that more spontaneously react to player actions so as to not break that immersion. Currently, more than 87% of game studios—including Assassin’s Creed developer Ubisoft—already use AI to develop their titles.
Even more emerging technologies, including virtual reality and Web 3.0, are being used to transform gameplay in iGaming, where classic casino game formats can get repetitive. As a result, Statista finds that new and retuning players today are more attracted to online gaming options, given that they offer wider and more innovative features.
Online poker, one of iGaming’s biggest segments, is no exception. To provide enhanced gameplay that can’t be found in a traditional land-based casino, the internet’s leading poker websites use the following emerging technologies:
Artificial intelligence
Online poker players aren’t strangers to using AI to improve how they play. Over 57% of them leverage ChatGPT to try out different strategies, while another 52% use it to simulate various scenarios and practice how to respond to them. Given their openness to this emerging technology, it’s no surprise that none other than the US’ #1 poker site now similarly uses AI to transform gameplay—not by honing player skills, but by introducing new and innovative poker formats meant to make the card game even more exciting. On America’s Card Room, players can now choose from a vast tourney schedule that includes promotions like Poker Races. It sees each player forming a team of five AI “Racers.” After as little as a minute, players who own the winning AI Racer teams can compete against opponents of all skill levels at the table. Designed to eliminate the boring parts of early gameplay often found in online poker tournaments, Poker Races offers an innovative twist that takes traditional poker gameplay to the next level.
Virtual reality
Though online poker is often lauded as a more accessible and convenient way to enjoy the card game, it does sacrifice some key aspects of gameplay due to its digital nature. For example, players have to forego directly seeing and interacting with opponents, cards, and chips, as well as immersing themselves in a physical casino environment, online. That’s where leading operator PokerStars aims to change the game with virtual reality (VR). Players looking to experience online poker in a completely different way can now try Vegas Infinite, which is available to anyone with a VR headset-compatible PC, console, or even smartphone. Boasting a wide range of bespoke virtual environments, multiple poker variants like Spin & Go and multi-table poker, and even poker tournaments, Vegas Infinite allows players to handle chips and cards and even interact with others just like they would in real life. They can even cross-play with friends using different devices, showing how VR can truly transform how we perceive and enjoy online poker gameplay.
Web 3.0
Thanks to Web 3.0—which is best known for including blockchain technology—online poker websites are now even more engaging to play on because they offer unique, once-in-a-lifetime rewards through non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Similar to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, NFTs are hosted on the blockchain. However, they aren’t interchangeable. Instead, they’re unique identifiers that represent authentic ownership of a one-of-a-kind digital asset like art and in-game rewards. On Moemate, for example, players can buy NFTs to own their virtual companions as digital assets.
Given the innovations NFTs offer, it’s no surprise that one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments uses them to make online poker gameplay even more enticing. In 2022, the World Poker Tour (WPT) became the first in history to launch an NFT poker club on its website, WPT Global. Dubbed the Poker Heroes Club, it offers players the unique chance to own poker NFTs and earn “poker superpowers.” These equate to in-game perks like exclusive access to freeroll tournaments, chances to win million-dollar giveaways, and invites to the WPT’s VIP events in real life. With these engaging opportunities made possible through Web 3.0 technologies, it’s clear why the likes of the WPT use them to transform traditional online poker even further.
If you’d like to read more about the latest trends in new technology, keep browsing Eric Leads.
