Users vary in terms of device preference. Some might prefer to do their shopping on a desktop PC; others will be more comfortable on a smartphone.
Increasingly, many of us are switching from one device to another over the course of a given day. Developers who want to appeal to these ‘platform fluid’ users will need to be able to offer an experience that’s compelling across a range of devices.
This is particularly important in the online gambling industry, where every second of engagement matters. But exactly how can the challenge presented by a platform-fluid user be met?
Cross-platform gaming
Many online platforms are simply developing ways to transfer player data from one version of an application to the next. If essential data like usage history and achievements is kept on the server side, rather than on the client side, then it won’t matter where the user is logging on from – all of the important variables will be recalled, and the player’s experience will remain consistent.
As a consequence, a platform-fluid user will be able to log in and out from whichever device they choose, without experiencing any disruption. Mr Q mobile slots provide a great case in point. You can swap from desktop to mobile ten times a day without seeing any difference.
Mobile-first design
It’s important to keep the user experience consistent across a variety of platforms. But this need not imply that one platform isn’t considerably more important. Since smartphone users account for the vast majority of players, it’s only sensible that the user experience is designed to cater to these players, with intuitive interfaces and phone-optimised performance.
This has implications for other platforms. It’s better to keep the experience consistent from one platform to the next than it is to take advantage of features offered by just one of them. As a consequence, you’ll typically see an interface on a desktop device that closely mirrors the experience you get on a mobile one.
Cloud sync and unified accounts
We’ve already mentioned the importance of data being kept on the server side. What this means in the modern era is the use of cloud servers. Wherever you’re logging on from, the experience is the same, because the data you’re retrieving is being kept in the same data centre. This can help to reduce costs for the provider – though it can also create vulnerability, as we saw with recent problems with AWS and Azure.
Security and personalisation
There are a number of security advantages to keeping data in a single, highly secure place. Advanced encryption can be used, along with multi-factor authentication that vastly reduces the likelihood of data being compromised. In recent times, casinos have used AI-driven personalisation, too, in order to ensure that a given user’s experience appeals to them, wherever they happen to be logging on from.
Frankie Wilde – is a content writer at various gambling sites. Also, he is a passionate traveler and a great cook. Frankie shares informative articles with the world.
