Apparently, the powers that run the gambling industry in the US are concerned that the video game generation will be bored by the mindless zombie play of the traditional slot machine. So they are designing new slot machines that include an element of skill via video games. Instead of winning $100 for getting 3 cherries, you’ll play a game built into the slot machine and your performance in the game determines how much the payoff will be. Of course, with slot machines accounting for 60% of the revenue in a casino, the games will finely tuned to make sure that percentage does not take a hit.
I suspect we’ll see a lot more of this in other industries as our kids become adults. A generation used to having access to immersive and compelling virtual words from their basement is going to have very different expectations about how they interact with the entertainment industry outside of their basements.
