The Internet of Things is a relatively new concept. IoT is the interconnection of devices, vehicles, appliances (home and office) and the implications of such inter-connectivity. With sensors and radios fitted on everyday devices and appliances, there is a free exchange of data. In fact, these devices can make decisions based on the data—without human intervention. Such actions drive everything progressively forward in an environment where data collated from sensors is utilized to optimize and enhance the efficiency of the created applications and devices used in multiple industries.
The gaming industry is one of the most robust industries in the world and will be valued at around USD 62 billion by the end of 2018. The revenue for mobile gaming almost tripled between 2005 to 2015, and it shows no signs of abating. This is where the uniqueness of the IoT and its many ‘boons’ towards all manners of software and device-related applications come to play. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the gaming industry, especially mobile games, and games which are virtualized for existing games such as a Rummy game, or board games like chess. These games are known to players from long back and were enjoyed as board games. With the virtual avatar, these games are now once more up in popularity and enjoyed on a high level. So, let us look at how IoT has a definitive impact on the gaming industry in general, and on online gaming in particular.
Intelligence gathering: One of the major issues with games in the days before IoT was the collection of data about the gaming experience, as well as the habits and characteristics of the players. This would be facilitated through feedback forms or surveys. Today, online gaming yields large amounts of data to game developers. This helps them understand shortcomings, and also what kind of enhancements and features they need to introduce. This results in a much better gaming environment and a more enjoyable experience for players.
Complexity: Here ‘complexity’ is not to be confused with ‘complicated’. Complexity is a self-creating and naturally growing system under which a system typically chooses to enhance itself while ridding itself of needless and useless procedures. This is good news for gaming platforms since the needs of the player and the nature of the game itself are entities that are constantly evolving. They require a system by which changes are regularly monitored and updated to keep the game fresh while offering excellent incentives to gamers to play them. This again is possible only due to the advent of the IoT, and the assiduous application of the same by the best gaming companies. This is particularly helpful for gamers who are new to a game or gaming environment, as the complexity of the system helps the game understand that they are dealing with a new player, and thus modify the gameplay parameters accordingly to skills level of the gamer. The platform can differentiate between a player who knows how to play Rummy game and one that is a novice and can customize the gaming environment accordingly to enhance the experience. It has never been easier to understand a game on a virtual platform. All it takes is a couple of hours of dedication and patience, and a person is well on their way to developing a lifelong hobby playing these online games!
Bridging the divide: The divide spoken of here is between the gamer and the gaming platform. The problem is not a particular platform or a certain kind of player. Instead, it is the use of a middleman to analyse the requirement of the players and match it with the limitations of the platform. This was not possible before the advent of IoT. Now, the role of the middleman is significantly reduced, thereby ensuring that the gaming platform itself is set to understand the need and requirements of its players; this enhances the gaming experience. This results in a very smooth and correctly calibrated gaming experience for the player and the efficient running of the game itself.
Reliability: The effect of integration is not only to enhance the player and game experience but also to enhance security and stability for the games played. This is especially true for online games that involve monetary transactions, with financial incentives. Initially, illegal sites and dealers could find a way to rig systems in their favor, and opposed to the player. However, with the advent of IoT, and with the massive boost of inter-connectivity today, no device or system is isolated from the others, and these include top security devices and software as well.
Gaming has never been as much fun or as secure as it is today, and this technological boost is the bedrock of the explosion of the gaming industry as a whole.
All thanks to IoT.
