Whatever the size of the business, keeping in touch with what customers are thinking and feeling is essential. Whether you’re trying to attract new customers or you want to keep the customers that you already have coming back for more, having an idea of what they want from your company is the best way to make this happen. Over recent years we have seen the needs of customers become much more tech-focused – they want to be able to access services online, have well-made websites and the ability to purchase products on the move. It has been important for a majority of industries to keep up with these developments to ensure that they keep customers happy and ultimately ensure that their business continues to generate revenue.
What Changes Have We Seen?
One of the biggest changes we have seen within the eCommerce sector is how accessible websites have become. With smartphones and devices becoming a much bigger part of everyday life, it is considered essential that a website is mobile responsive. Websites that don’t ensure that they can be accessed across all smart devices are missing out on traffic to their website and therefore missing out on sales. The gambling industry is one example where this has been essential – punters want casino apps and they want to be able to play games via their smartphones while they’re on the move. Not only this, but the gameplay that these apps offer needs to be smooth – for example, the recent ability to swipe the phone in order to spin the reel of the fruit machine game a person has chosen to play has become massively popular.
As you might imagine, with more transactions and spending being driven online the way that we pay for goods and services digitally has changed too. You might assume that people tend to use debit or credit cards to pay for goods via websites, but actually, PayPal and Skrill have increased massively in popularity and now lots of people choose to pay this way instead. Both Android and Apple Pay are popular choices too! It isn’t that people don’t want to spend with their debit or credit, often these services let them do just that – but in a much quicker and more convenient way. Using the gambling industry as an example once again online gambling is a market that has diversified payment methods as seen by the vast amount of options found on TopRatedCasinos.co.uk – driven by customer demand for varied payment options. We’re even seeing the likes of Cryptocurrency becoming a more popular way to pay for goods and the launch of a cryptocurrency ATM would certainly help drive this further.
What are Microtransactions?
Microtransactions are generally option extras within a game – you don’t need them to complete the game but you can pay to get them in order to complete the game quicker or have more chance of better prizes. One popular way is within computer games – where you can pay extra to receive a Loot Box full of digital prizes to help with your gameplay. However, you don’t always win a prize and the digital value of the prize you get can vary; so they are a bit of a gamble!
As you might imagine, there are mixed opinions surrounding microtransactions and whether there is a place for them within mainstream gaming. The main controversy comes from the fact that it is possible to access these optional transactions in games that are aimed at all ages. In general, gambling is not allowed in most countries until those taking part are over the age of 18; so to have these featured in games where underage gamblers could be encouraged to take place has caused a bit of a stir. The fact that there aren’t really any strict regulations that cover microtransactions hasn’t helped either.
However, they are becoming a popular addition to many games and unless they’re banned this probably isn’t something that is likely to change anytime soon. Those in favour of microtransactions could argue that the small transaction fee that you need to pay in order to take part in one of these transactions means that it shouldn’t come under gambling rules. On top of that, the fact that these microtransactions are optional and that you don’t need to take part in them in order to complete the game also helps the argument that these should be allowed in any game that the developer chooses.
What Does The Future of Microtransactions Look Like?
Microtransactions are a relatively new addition to the gaming world and as such we’re still waiting to see what the audience reaction will be to them long-term and how the gaming world will adapt the way they offer them accordingly. As we know there are currently no regulations surrounding the use of microtransactions in mainstream games and this is probably one of the main things that will change. Microtransactions within the gambling industry are not such a concern, because they’re covered by gambling regulations that are already in place. It is thought that there may be a push for microtransactions of this nature to be covered by similar regulations so that people who take part in these transactions are protected, no matter where or how they choose to play them.
Mobile gaming is certainly no exception, as we’re starting to see microtransactions introduced to these too; but that is nothing new. For example, popular games such as CandyCrush are free but you can often pay for extra lives or add-ons. The main difference between these and some of the ones we’re seeing currently is that Loot Boxes, which are becoming more and more popular don’t promise you a prize. You’re not just paying for extra lives; you’re paying for a digital box which may or may not result in you being awarded digital prizes to put towards the game – and it is this part that people may start to push to become more regulated as they continue to grow in popularity.
