Developing Digital Gaming Platforms

The gaming industry has undergone explosive growth over the past few years, with the global market now predicted to reach up to $300 billion by 2025. The growth of gaming has largely been driven by the increasing popularity of digital gaming platforms. From console and PC games to mobile apps, these platforms provide a variety of immersive gaming experiences to players worldwide.

Developing a digital gaming platform is a complex process that requires careful consideration of several key factors. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the technicalities behind creating a digital gaming platform, as well as some specific things to keep in mind for different types of gaming genres.

What Goes Into Gaming Platforms? 

One of the first things to consider when developing a digital gaming platform is the type of gaming experience the platform will offer. Nowadays, there are several different genres of game, each with its own unique requirements. For example, action games require fast-paced gameplay and realistic graphics, while puzzle games require attractive designs and engaging mechanics.

Furthermore, some of the more complex gaming genres, such as iGaming, have additional requirements when it comes to things like gaming software. A developer building a real money gaming platform needs to integrate electronic slot machine mechanics in the form of random number generators. 

Building for Gaming Devices 

Another important consideration is the way in which a gaming platform will be accessed and played. For instance, will the digital games be available on PC, console, mobile devices or all three? Each medium has its own limitations as to what it can run, meaning that a cross-play gaming platform will need to be optimised for the different mediums in order to provide the best possible gaming experiences. 

Even platforms for use on single devices will need to be designed and developed with that in mind. Things to take note of during the developmental process include screen size, controls (touch screen, joypads, keyboard and mouse etc.) and even battery life. 

A lot of the work involved in building gaming platforms for different devices is solved by the technology that’s being used. Plenty of top developers use game engines such as Unity or Unreal Engine to create their output, while others build their own engines from scratch. The choice of technology will depend on the type of game in development, as well as the skills and expertise of the development team. 

Throughout each stage of the process, user experience also needs to be taken into account. In order to be successful in such a competitive marketplace, all gaming platforms need to provide a seamless and intuitive experience for gamers. This means investing in UX design at the development stage, covering everything from gameplay to user interfaces. 

Data and Privacy

As well as the technical side, there are also several legal and regulatory considerations when developing a digital gaming platform. Going back to iGaming, for example, it’s imperative that operators comply with all the relevant gaming regulations and they have the appropriate licenses and permits to operate. 

Anyone launching a gaming platform also needs to consider the implications of data privacy and security. Even free-to-play gaming platforms will collect sensitive information from gamers, such as their personal information, while platforms that allow players to purchase games or play with real money will need to securely process payment details. Compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR is an absolute must. 

Monetisation Methods 

Last but by no means least, it’s also important to think about how a gaming platform will be monetised. There are several different monetisation models available, including subscription-based models, paid downloads and, in the case of mobile, the freemium model, which is characterised by being free to play with in-app purchases. 

Each model has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, meaning creators need to choose the one that best fits their target audience. Of course, it’s also possible to move to a different monetisation method after it has been running for a period of time.