The gaming industry has made remarkable progress in just a short time. Hardware and software advancements, virtual and augmented reality, the internet, and mobile devices have made modern-day gaming more engaging, enveloping, and successful than ever before. Now, a new advancement is emerging to take gaming to the next level.

 

The Internet of Things does just as it says in the name. It creates an “internet” of connected physical devices – or “things” - all working together to accomplish the same task. IoT leverages sensors, software, and other new-age technologies to enable data exchange throughout the network. IoT objects can range from ordinary household appliances to sophisticated industrial tools. Industry analysts estimate that IoT devices will exceed 22 billion by 2025.

 

IoT has a lot to offer the gaming sector. Read on for five compelling opportunities that could come with IoT-based gaming.

1. Superior Online Experiences

The online gaming industry has been growing exponentially year after year, thanks to the proliferation of mobile devices and Internet connectivity. In 2020, pandemic-related lockdowns and quarantine measures pushed the market even further, achieving a record-breaking growth rate of 21.9% from the previous year. Currently, approximately one billion people play games online, and the number is projected to exceed 1.3 billion by 2025.

 

Mobile devices are significant IoT enablers. Smartphones, for instance, contain a myriad of sensors, from cameras and accelerometers to touch, pressure, and even heart-rate monitors. Online games can tap into this infrastructure to collect and report user experience data. With the right data sets, games can learn player interaction and responses over time.

 

Currently, Microsoft’s Azure Service Fabric is enabling the real-time collection of usage data, with which developers can create captivating experiences for connected players. Xbox titles like Forza and Halo already incorporate IoT to improve in-game connectivity.

2. Enhanced Gaming Mobility

IoT has transformed gaming from a solitary indoor activity into a collaborative experience that promotes socialization and friendship. Today, IoT-powered connectivity is giving rise to mobile games that require or encourage outdoor activity, social interaction, and even exercise.

 

Pokémon Go! is an excellent example of how IoT enables next-level gaming mobility. Integrating a game with smartphone-based GPS and other sensors can make players feel part of the narrative. Developers can even push the boundaries with virtual reality and instantly transform participants to the gaming world, regardless of their real-life location.

 

IoT can also work with cloud computing to enable seamless multi-platform experiences. Players can fire up a game on one platform, say a console, and continue it on their smartphone or tablet. This model can make games more accessible by eliminating the need for expensive hardware and boost revenue by increasing the time players spend on a game.

3. Gamification of Non-gaming Activities

One of the primary appeals of IoT is digitizing and connecting non-digital devices and processes. In gaming, IoT can enable the gamification of daily activities that are typically outside the gaming realm. For instance, health and wellness apps like Zombies, Run! and The Walk are making workouts more interactive and fun for users by introducing gaming elements that motivate participants to push their limits and reward them for accomplishing milestones.

 

IoT has also proven useful in gamifying some education aspects. With online learning becoming more commonplace due to the pandemic, learning platform developers have increasingly turned to gamification to make apps more interactive, engaging, and rewarding. For example, the popular language app Duolingo enables users to earn coins and purchase special lessons when they complete daily practice tests. By incorporating game elements, learning apps can communicate important core lessons in a manner that sticks more effectively than books or lectures.

4. Life-like Remote Casinos

The online casino model has severely disrupted the gambling business. Thanks to the internet and connected devices, players can engage in their favorite games without appearing at a physical casino. Industry experts estimate the digital gambling market will be worth over $66 billion in 2025, up from $44 billion in 2019.

 

The Internet of Things fits right into the online gambling ecosystem. IoT can enable cutting-edge, multi-platform connectivity to simulate authentic casino atmosphere and offer players highly immersive experiences. Although live roulette and blackjack streams have been around for years, IoT solutions can transform them into more life-like experiences that sense gestures and facial expressions to make players feel like they are on opposite sides of a real table.

 

Additionally, casino apps can integrate with mobile-based sensors to capture data like the time and place the game is mostly played and how most people like to hold their phones while playing. Platform developers can then convert this data into improvement insights.

5. Developer Freedom

App developers have been at loggerheads with major app stores for a while due to payment policies that give store owners like Apple and Google a significant share of the revenue generated from in-app purchases. This “levy” is typically passed on to customers, leading to dissatisfaction and churn.

 

Thanks to IoT and cloud computing, developers can finally get the resources they need to reach and connect directly with gamers, without the need for conventional gaming platforms. In-cloud games can be streamed directly from a player’s device without requiring app downloads.

 

The revolution is already well underway, with mainstream games like Fortnite openly defying the payment policies imposed by Apple and Google for publishing on their app stores. The gaming sector is itching for more control, and considering the rate at which IoT is advancing, that freedom is right around the corner.

IoT promises transformative opportunities for numerous sectors, and gaming is among the biggest beneficiaries. Growing exponentially every year, the gaming sector is pushing companies to stay innovative and stand out from the competition. Game developers can leverage IoT to offer impactful social experiences, facilitate seamless mobile gaming, improve online casinos, gamify real-life activities, and even liberate developers from platform owners.

 

Given these benefits, IoT providers can expect the Internet of Things in gaming to explode down the road. So, if you are a supplier, now is the time to get in the game. IoT2Market is the leading marketplace for IoT solutions. Create your seller’s account today and give your products the best chance of penetrating the ballooning gaming market.