A Device Inclusive Approach to Online Gaming
Canadians, How Are Modern iGaming Operators Creating a Seamless Experience Across Your Devices?
Most of us have several digital devices turned on at every moment – laptop, phone, tablet, smart watch, smart TV… you name it. It goes without saying that we interchangeably use multiple devices to complete the same task depending on where we are at the moment. For example, a casino site member may access his account from a computer when he is at home, but use a smartphone when he is in transit.
Online casinos and iGaming are on the rise across the globe and Canada is no different; Canadians are increasingly taking up usage of these types of platforms, like online slots, and spending their disposable income on them in their spare time. This is the demand side of the situation, but for the supply side (i.e., iGaming providers and platforms), it is absolutely essential to meet users where they are, whether it’s a laptop or mobile phone, or both at different times of the day, and provide a standout UX that makes them come back time and time again rather than resorting to a competitor. All of this creates some dilemmas for people designing user interfaces and trying to make user experience smooth regardless of hardware. Here are some of the most important benchmarks the providers need to reach before users can enjoy online gaming from any device they choose.
Unified Access with Username and Password
Nobody wants to create a separate account for every device and send funds to each one. Modern casino websites let players log in from any device and just continue right where they stopped. That’s possible because the websites have standard identification procedures that require the player to enter a username or email address along with a unique password. Since user data is stored in the cloud anyway and all casino games are administered remotely, the player basically just needs to verify his client device that lets him control the account. No need to download software to every device – all you need is a browser and accurate credentials and you can continue your journey on any hardware platform without skipping a beat.
Ensuring Fast Loading and Zero Lag
Different devices could have more or less RAM and processing power, so developers have to make sure that the site will perform well even on weaker hardware. That means eliminating animated intros and other bandwidth-hungry elements that are not essential for the website’s functionality. Optimisation of both back and front end is necessary as well, as this can prevent complex operations that keep the site running from affecting player experience. Bugs or even minor delays can seriously disrupt the player’s rhythm and cause him to lose, and that’s a recipe for chasing away good customers. It may not be possible to completely eliminate these issues and make the site fully functional 100% of the time, but this is the ideal that iGaming companies must strive to reach.
Organising Website Content to Fit on a Smaller Screen
There are two ways to make the gaming site content mobile-ready. One is to create a dedicated mobile app for every major phone OS, while the other is to design the primary site so it works well on a narrow screen typical for a handheld device. Since not every online casino has an app, multi-device approach to interface design is becoming more prevalent. However, some iGaming companies are not prioritising it enough, resulting in a clunky fit on smaller screens. That’s why it’s a good idea for players to try accessing a new site from every device they own, as this will reveal any issues and allow you to pick a site that will meet your needs well.
Making Use of Touch Commands
Another distinctive feature of smartphones and tablets are their touch-sensitive screens that are used to receive input from the player. Changing the primary input method has deep implications and forces game creators and website designers to simplify things. Jamming too many icons close to each other may be OK for users with a mouse in their hand, but it will lead to a lot of frustration for anyone trying to touch the right one on a 4-inch phone. On the other hand, touch commands are more intuitive and open some additional possibilities for direct interaction that can be useful for triggering in-game events and ultimately boosting engagement.
Designing and Hosting Mobile-friendly Games
Mobile players tend to choose games that can be completed quickly and that don’t require a lot of preparation, as they frequently play in between real life chores and can’t fully focus on details. There are quite a few casino games that work well in this format, but presentation matters a lot. Placing a bet in a mobile roulette game must be completely straightforward, or a player might fumble it due to a temporary distraction. The best online casino games let the player control the action with a minimum of attention, and offer immediate rewards that can be earned within minutes.
Tackling New Security Challenges
Multi-platform access causes a whole lot of headaches for the providers, as it opens new pathways that bad actors can exploit to steal money or data. Things were easier to manage when every user could be recognised by his IP address, but now the websites have to account for multiple access points. Mobile devices can also be physically lost or stolen, which can give the thieves access to funds held in gaming accounts if the passwords are saved automatically. There are solutions for all of those issues including two-step authentication of money transfers and photo ID verification, but they require the operators to be proactive and focused on keeping their platforms secure.
