The online gambling industry constantly seeks new ways to keep the audience’s attention. A few years ago, 3D graphics in pokies were considered a novelty, but now they have become a standard for most software providers, whose games are presented at the Royal Reels casino in Australia. The next logical step could be the integration of augmented reality technology. Despite the fact that AR is already actively used in iGaming and advertising, its use in mobile casino projects is still very limited.
One of the few exceptions was Mad Pixel Factory’s experiment with Coca-Cola at the Campus Party International Festival. AR was used to engage participants in an immersive gaming experience. However, it has not yet come to large-scale integration of the technology into real-world pokies. In this article, we look at how AR could change the approach to mobile pokies, what opportunities it presents for punters with Royal Reels casino login, and why such projects remain niche for now.
General Principles of AR Technology and Probable Ways to Realise it in Pokies
Augmented reality technology combines real-world elements with real-time digital objects. In the casino environment presented by Royal Reels Australia, this could mean a fundamentally new approach to game visualisation and interface interaction. Here are the basic principles of AR and their possible applications in slots:
- Geolocation-based. Using location data from a punter with Royalreels login allows unique game scenarios to be triggered depending on his physical position. For example, a slot bonus level can only open at a specific location.
- Interactive 3D objects. In an AR environment, slot symbols can literally ‘jump’ out of the screen and move around the room. This makes gameplay more exciting and cinematic — instead of the usual animation, punters interact with virtual elements in a real environment.
- Contextual personalisation. AR allows you to analyse the player’s environment and adapt the visual style to the lighting, interior or even the current time of day. For example, the Vampy Party pokie from Pragmatic Play, which is presented at Royal Reels casino, could change to a darker design when the lighting in the room decreases.
- Physical involvement. Some game actions can be performed not by pressing a button, but by gestures. For example, if a Royalreels Australia punter wants to make a spin, he rotates his hand in the air, and to take the bonus — reaches for a virtual object.
- AR navigation in the virtual casino. With the help of AR, the user can literally ‘walk’ through the hall of the mobile Royalreels casino, selecting the desired machine in augmented reality. This adds an element of exploration and resembles the atmosphere of a land-based establishment.
Integrating AR into slots requires serious technical effort, but the potential for such solutions to increase user engagement is huge. For punters, it’s a way to get a unique experience from the comfort of their own home, and for Royal Reels, it’s an opportunity to stand out from the competition.
Prospects of AR Development in Mobile Slots in Australian Casinos
Despite the great interest in AR in the gaming industry, the mass implementation of this technology in the casino segment is still delayed. The reasons are both technological and economic. The main pitfalls here are:
- Legal barriers. In Australia, gambling activities, including Royalreels, are strictly regulated. Not all companies are ready to invest in new formats with increased regulatory risks.
- High cost of equipment. Even simple AR glasses can cost $500-700 or more. This limits the potential audience and reduces the commercial attractiveness of the technology for the mass segment.
- Difficulties with a target audience. Traditional players with Royal Reels login are older people who are not always ready to master new technologies. Young people, on the contrary, easily adapt to new formats but are less involved in gambling. This creates uncertainty in the question of who to target AR slots.
Nevertheless, the potential of the technology is huge. Australian software providers are already experimenting with hybrid formats. For example, Aristocrat, one of the largest slot machine suppliers in the country, is investing in digitalisation and exploring the possibilities of combining classic slots with innovative UX solutions.
Australian punters could be one of the first audiences for which such products will be made available. This will open up a whole new stage of development for the iGaming industry — more entertaining, personalised and engaging.
