Gaming and E-Commerce: Where Virtual Worlds Meet Real-World Profits

The world of gaming has come a long way since the creation of Tetris in 1984. From the integration of VR into the newest video goggles to the introduction of AI into the creation of NCPs, the world of gaming continues to create immersive worlds for its players to enjoy. But as the world of tech continues to evolve at a rapid rate, the future of gaming is becoming continuously intertwined with the world of e-commerce.  

Come with us as we delve into the future of gaming and e-commerce…  

The Rise In-Game Transactions  

The gaming world has always been a profitable business. With iconic releases like Super Mario Bros selling over $58 million copies worldwide, it is undeniable that the sector is highly profitable. But in recent years the rise in virtual economies within gaming ecosystems has created new outlets for companies, and players, to make money.  

Users can now buy, sell, and try in-game assets such as digital weapons or clothing, in return for offline currency. While these bought assets mean next to nothing in the offline world, many users spend their hard-earned cash on these in-house purchases as a way to achieve higher scores and exclusive experiences within their digital world. 

These purchases aren’t just pocket change either. The current record for the most expensive in game item ever sold is Planet Calypso from the Entropia Universe, which sold for $6 Million. Yes… $6 Million. Now this might seem ridiculous for a virtual world that can only be accessed within a singular game, Planet Calypso represents more than just a digital asset. With its own functioning economy that other gamers can participate in, it has the potential to create a diverse ecosystem for profit. Showcasing the insane financial potential online gaming had for e-commerce.  

Esports: From Pastime to Professional Profits 

On top of the rise in in-game economies, the evolution of gaming has also seen the creation of a new job: professional gamer. Evolving from casual gaming to multi-million-dollar events, esports has captivated audiences worldwide and attracted sponsors that would usually only be seen on the offline sports field. In fact, the current market size of esports is estimated to be over $1.6 billion. While hile this might seem like pocket change in comparison to the European football market, which was recently valued at £25.1 billion, its youth speaks to a wider opportunity for advancement. 

This advancement is also set to be amplified by the innovative technologies now available in the mainstream market. Virtual and Augmented reality is now a standard feature within the gaming world, and artificial intelligence continues to alter user behaviour by offering non-linear gameplay. Esports will undoubtable monopolise on these advancements in the oncoming years, resulting in an increasingly more exciting virtual sports arena.  

Building Communities (and Profits) 

The results of these online economies and sporting arenas have not only led to a stark rise in innovation, but also a rise in online communities. Now more than ever the world of gaming is becoming increasingly integrated, with a diverse set of platforms intertwining their user bases to form online groups purely dedicated to game play. While this formation is not new in the online world, the scale of these communities alongside the high level of money passed through them in the form of both traditional and crypto currency, has formed fertile ground for large scale profits.  

The next steps into the future of gaming are sure to be leaps rather than shuffles thanks to the sectors high monetary value. We can only hope that these profits will be used to create innovations that will serve the communities that created them. With eyes continuing to turn to the industry, its undeniable that future gaming innovations will further push an already stretched boundary.