Why Is Nature Quickly Becoming One of the Biggest Themes in Gaming?
Elaborate themes are among the biggest trends in gaming because of the level of competition that businesses face. Imagine being stuck on the motorway during rush hour – that’s what market saturation is like in certain industries, especially sectors that are proven to be profitable.
To stand out from the crowd, providers must locate new niches that plug gaps in the market, and themes are the golden tickets. Nature is rapidly transforming into the go-to genre, yet it’s not entirely clear why on the surface. To find out the reasons behind this, you’ve got to don your scuba gear and dive into the murky depths.
Immersive Gameplay
Gaming is about being transported into different worlds. For a release to do that effectively, it needs to be as immersive as possible, which is why there is an emphasis on graphics and the freedom to explore maps outside of missions. Virtual reality takes this to the next level by showing you parts of the world that you have only seen on TV or the internet.
Nature has always been an essential part of gaming, from the arcane colossus in Destiny 2 to bear cubs in Red Dead Redemption 2, but thanks to advancements in technology, it is turning into the main event. A prime example is Oculus’ Nature Treks VR, which has been downloaded millions of times since its release. As well as the title’s superior definition, it also has a calming effect on its players as the immersive experiences created by VR are proven to support mindfulness, meditation training, and mental wellness.
Now that VR software is increasing in popularity – sales doubled from 1.2 million units in 2018 to 3.4 million units in 2020 – it’s almost inevitable that the nature genre will continue its trajectory. It could even become the leading theme for developers and players.
Informative Platform
The world is focused on being greener and ensuring the planet is taken care of to fight back against the threat of global warming. For instance, a University of Gothenburg study reported that the majority of the 4,000 participants considered themselves to be eco-friendly. So, it’s not a shock to see the trend transcend into gaming.
As the push towards sustainability gathers pace, it’s clear that the world of gaming is a fantastic place for people to learn more about the world and how to help it remain intact. VR does this by showcasing the incredibly remote locations people don’t know exist and reminding players of their duties to save them by lowering their carbon footprint. Others prefer to make documentaries about the types of wildlife found on open-world maps, such as the Creatures of Destiny video below.
Of course, it’s essential to understand the principle of building a better world, something that the latest nature releases do constantly. Flotsam, for example, presents a cheery nod to human ingenuity as players must use whatever they can find to create civilisations in a world where rising tides have flooded towns and cities.
A Fun Genre
All of the above, and much more, combine to make the theme a very fun and enjoyable experience that people love. After all, several features make it appealing to gamers, from the highly defined animals and rainforests to the number of adventures that are available throughout these environments. While video games are popular, the sector that dominates the entertainment aspect of the genre is iGaming as they leverage the theme successfully to engage users and keep them coming back for more.
For example, when you play slot games, which are a well-loved staple of the iGaming industry, you are bound to come across a plethora of nature titles, including Savage Shark and Primate King. However, Fishing Frenzy is one of the most in-demand, market-leading slot games because it merges a variety of elements to ensure the gameplay is bold and ambitious, while also being relaxing and putting a smile on peoples’ faces. It does this by hosting the action underwater and using components of the fishing industry, such as the awesome angler wild, to make it relatable and immersive.
Games should welcome everyone, and nature-based titles are inclusive because the planet affects us all, and learning about how to take care of it while having fun is the ultimate combination. That’s why nature is quickly becoming one of the biggest themes in gaming, with the sector showing no signs of relenting any time soon.
