Casino translation: What’s holding back console casino games?

Online casino gaming is one of the strongest global markets – good to know in regards to casino translation – right now and forecasts predict plenty of more growth to come. Aside from new emerging markets around the world, the growth of women online players, cash alternatives and technology innovations, such as smartwatches, virtual reality, bring new areas for growth.

Despite all this progress, there’s one area that’s still struggling to take off: console online casino gaming. Major titles on the PS4 and Xbox One are a big deal and online console gaming drives the ongoing popularity of dedicated console systems. So what’s holding back the rise of online console casino gaming? More importantly where does casino translation fit in?

It’s a question of money, not technology

Console machines have enough technology powering them to create one of the most immersive casino experiences gamers could hope for. In fact, the PlayStation Home’s Paradise Springs Casino aims to do just that – but technology isn’t the problem here.

The big problem with console casino games is adapting them for different markets. We’re not talking about casino translation or video game localisation here, either. We’re talking about the minefield that is international gaming laws and developing a single game that caters to all of them.

The fact is, online gambling without the ability to play for real money doesn’t cut it. So, until console developers take on gambling laws, we’re not going to see any rise in online console casino gaming. While gambling sites can largely operate under the gambling laws of the country they’re hosted in, selling casino games in overseas territories is more complex.

The good news is casino translation and adapting console casino games isn’t significantly different from working with websites or mobile apps. Creating a solid age restriction system and implementing payment functionalities are the other main considerations, besides gambling laws.

It can be done.

Is it what gamers really want though?

While the notion of console and virtual reality casinos sound impressive, you have to ask whether this is what gamers really want. Or, more to the point, if they want it enough to justify the development cost of graphics-heavy casino titles. Especially, when publishers have the cheaper option of creating relatively simple casino games with some HTML5 and JavaScript.

In fact, the most successful casino mobile games are often the most simple. Unnecessary graphics and sequences can actually take away from the experience gamers are after when their money is on the line.

When it comes to realistic driving simulators or shoot ‘em up games, the processing power of games consoles is completely necessary. When gamers are after a quick few rounds of blackjack, not so much. Unlike with mobile devices, the benefit of being able to play anytime, anywhere is something consoles like the Xbox One will never be able to replicate.

Is there a future for console casino games?

If developers decide to take on the legal implications of releasing casino games with real-money bets, there’s every reason to expect it could take off. The key would be making the most of all that processing power to create an experience that’s more immersive than the kind of slots games we’re used to seeing on mobile.

One thing that could accelerate things in this regard is the emergence of virtual reality. Recreating the Las Vegas or Macau experience for gamers at home could be the perfect driver for console casino games taking off.