How Will Mini Games Evolve When the Metaverse Becomes Mainstream?
Mini games have been a staple of open world offerings for some time, and they serve a wide range of purposes. In recent years, they have become so advanced that some are even becoming standalone titles of their own. For example, in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the card game Gwent was so well-loved that it’s now available as a free online game.
With these mini games having evolved so much over the last few years, it’s exciting to think how they could advance even more. When virtual reality becomes mainstream and more games take place in the metaverse, there could be some truly impressive side games available.
Mini Games a Staple Inclusion of Open World Offerings
In the early days of console gaming, developers put side games into their larger offerings to give players some respite and a change of gameplay. They still exist for this reason, but they help to add to the illusion that you have become a character within a fantasy world. This was illustrated perfectly in Red Dead Redemption 2, where there were so many side games to choose from. Players had the chance to take up hobbies within the sprawling western landscape. This effectively allowed them to live a separate life away from the real world in the game.
With open world games becoming bigger and better than ever, developers have had to add a range of features to keep players engaged. Mini games and activities allow players to take a break from the main story. They often let them practice different skills or explore areas they may not have had the chance to go to before. There’s no doubt that there will always be a place for mini games in open world titles, but the way they are played may change when VR becomes mainstream.
Developers Could Take Inspiration from Ready Player One
When it comes to mini games in the metaverse, developers may decide to take inspiration from Ernest Cline’s ground-breaking novel, Ready Player One. In the title that was adapted into a Hollywood blockbuster by Steven Spielberg, the protagonist takes a break from the main mission to play Pac-Man on an old school gaming cabinet.
This could be popular, as retro games have remained in the mainstream throughout the evolution of the gaming industry. Tetris is a prime example of a title that has been available on almost every platform ever. People who play Rainbow Riches slot game will know that the popular online title from Barcrest existed as a cabinet game before the internet iGaming sector emerged. The modern title still captures the magic of the original but includes state-of-the-art elements as well.
In the metaverse, players could have the chance to play side games in their traditional pre-internet format. There could be VR rooms filled with cabinets, giving players a vast choice of what mini games they want to play. This would mirror what’s already happening in open world games, where classic card games that predate gaming are often used to give players a break from the main action.
Mini games are a staple part of large titles now, and they’re here to stay. They are likely to get even better and more engaging when the VR metaverse comes to the fore, with retro and modern titles likely to exist alongside one another.
