Around the time that the very first PlayStation’s were being released, back in 1994, another phenomenon that was also to grow huge was soon to emerge. We’re talking about the online casino industry and within the next couple of decades this was to grow to be a multi-billion dollar industry in many parts of the world. To get an idea of its size today you only have to look at the UK where it has really taken off. According to figures by the Gambling Commission, who oversee the industry in the country, remote gambling including online casinos is the single biggest sector accounting for £5.6 billion of the total £14.5 billion market.
Like the PlayStation, it has been the games that you can play in online casinos that have driven its growth. Along with the games like roulette, blackjack and poker that you’d expect, these sites also offer a whole wide range of slots and it’s these that have drawn many players in. It’s also why they’re the most profitable games for any online casino.
A great deal of their appeal comes down to the fact that they can be themed to tie in with particular players’ interests. For example, you’ll find games that feature super hero movies, particular sports and even characters from history like Cleopatra and Spartacus.
Another big feature of online slots has been the gradual introduction of minigames into the ways that they play. These can include features like bonus rounds where a player has a lucky dip to win a cash prize or has to complete a simple task to multiply their win. Again, the idea has been to maximize involvement in the game.
Now game designers for PlayStation have obviously been looking on with interest at the ways that online casinos appeal to their players, as well as the huge success of the industry itself. So there are quite a few instances of them starting to introduce classic elements of the best online casinos games at bestonlinecasino.com.
Two great examples come from those giants of games development, Rockstar Games. The first is relatively low key, while the second made much more noise when it was introduced. So, to take the first example, the much anticipated Red Dead Redemption 2 includes plenty of opportunities to earn some dollars playing Texas Hold’em poker. A wide number of reviewers have agreed that it’s a great version of the game and there are also plenty of online guides to the best winning strategies for the game.
The second example is GTA’s Diamond Casino and Resort. For years it had featured as part of the background scenery, without actually opening its doors. But as soon as it did in July of this year it opened up whole new worlds of possibilities for players. Not only can you win cash playing everything from roulette and blackjack and from to poker and slots, you can even work your way up to owning a penthouse in the resort. So, in terms of minigames, this is certainly a big one.
As well as there being minigames to add to the enjoyment of the main PlayStation games there are also quite a few examples of full casino games to play. Admittedly, what these lack is the chance to play for real money but they’re fun to play and are also great practice for the real thing.
First up is the Four Kings Casino and Slots. This has received heaps of praise for its realistic gameplay as well as giving you the chance to hone your skills at roulette, poker, blackjack and craps. There are also a whole lot of slots games to play and it even includes a bowling alley to test your striking skills. It’s earned itself well over 12,000 ratings in the official PlayStation store which is a good indication of just how good the game is. There’s plenty of fun involved too as you can choose to play it as an MMO game to take on friends or just tackle the casino in your quest to break the bank. On the way you can win the right to dress your avatar in ever-more outrageous costumes to really get in the spirit of the game.
It’s also the perfect way to prepare yourself for playing some of the best online casino games at bestonlinecasino.com where you could win real cash, as well as play in slightly more conservative dress than you might be wearing in the Four Kings casino!
Another great game, especially for poker fans, is Pure Hold’em from VooFoo Studios who have also developed other “Pure” games including chess and pool. It’s a game that’s perfect for every level of player as there are introductory games to get you into the groove, before moving on to more challenging tournaments. There’s also the choice of taking on 7 other AI players in the game, who come complete with short bios with clues to their playing styles. Alternatively, you can play in online games against other real players.
Another plus for players of Pure Hold’em is that the graphics are especially good which helps to add to the enjoyment, as does the soundtrack that offers a few different styles of music. So, all in all, it’s no big surprise that it’s received some pretty good reviews and is proving to be a popular choice for players.
There are a number of other minigames as well as these two main ones and it’s well worth mentioning Prominence Poker too. This has more of a narrative arc to the play so it’s ideal if you want to incorporate this into your game.
As to where other minigames will be headed in the future, it’s hard to say. Perhaps the emergence of virtual reality will have an influence and players will find themselves not just dabbling in other environments, but actually being inside them, whether it’s a casino or somewhere else entirely. But that’s for the future and there’s already plenty to enjoy right now.