Digital Collectibles, Real Stakes: How Gaming Communities Think About Security

The lines between digital entertainment, investment, and collection are overlapping in the modern age of online gaming. From platforms like Marvel Snap, which offer the chance to obtain unique digital cards, to games like Fortnite, which offer substantial upgrades for those willing to make in-game purchases, players are investing more emotionally and financially than ever before.

As financial investment becomes part of the norm in online gaming, tech-savvy players are increasingly becoming more conscious about their data security in-game and on platforms that allow them to amass digital collections.

Whether purchasing operators in COD Warzone, buying in-game currency for a mobile game, or exploring licensed and safe casinos that prioritize fairness and protection, these gamers are keeping the following things in mind:

Account Protection

One of the first things modern players look for is proof that their account and data are secure. With data leaks becoming commonplace, the security of private information has become increasingly important and is now a make-or-break factor for many wanting to register new accounts with providers.

Because of this desire for robust security, features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) are now required by most players. Other features, such as more verification being required when recovering an account, are also becoming more sought after as players try to protect online profiles or portfolios that represent extensive investments of time and money.

Clear Policies and Data Control

As the world becomes disillusioned by large tech corporations collecting and using their personal data for all sorts of reasons, another key feature that players are looking for is transparent policies. These include terms of use, which outline how services may be used and what the provider is obligated to fulfill, and privacy policies, which state how personal information is used.

More than simply wanting policies, players are also actively seeking greater control over their information. The ability to request deletion of personal data is becoming increasingly common, while others want full disclosure from platforms about what data about them is collected and stored.

Fair Play and Anti-Cheat

For online games in which some players invest significantly to unlock access to certain items or skins, a greater expectation of protection from cheaters and hackers is emerging. These hackers write additional scripts into the game to provide themselves with advanced abilities or items. Using these advanced abilities, such players essentially remove the fun of playing for others.

Many games and platforms have tried to address this issue and ensure fair play through the introduction of anti-cheat software like BattlEye or Ricochet. Platforms that are not transparent in their operations or in their efforts to stop cheating are increasingly being avoided in favor of alternatives.

Secure and Encrypted Connection

Although a secure connection is taken for granted in the modern age as the expectation (and generally requirement) exists for all connections to be secure, some platforms or games, particularly older casual mobile games, still do not use this simple security tool. As such, data and traffic could be intercepted.

Players knowledgeable about encryption, particularly in terms of checking if mobile app connections are secure, have begun demanding secure, encrypted connections that protect their information. As such, most platforms, operators, and developers provide this.

Greater Account Controls

In addition to greater control over their data, players are also seeking increased control over their ability to access games and platforms and their ability to limit their spending. As such, parental or digital well-being controls are becoming more prominent as a way to limit screen time or play hours on certain games or platforms.

Likewise, games that offer in-game purchases or platforms that allow access to online casino entertainment are also increasingly offering spending limit functionality. This allows players to set a strict limit on in-game purchases, which blocks any further purchases once that limit is reached.

Secure and Recognizable Payment Gateways

As with secure connections, players are also quick to check what payment gateways are available for online transactions. While payments for mobile games are usually easier to handle as they are processed by the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, websites and other platforms could use a variety of payment processors.

Gamers on these platforms often seek payment methods that they know to be secure in order to purchase items or season passes. These include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and other common online payment processors that have a reputation for trust.

Good Developer/Operator Reputation

Finally, players are seeking developers and operators who have good reputations online. With many past and present gamers sharing their first-hand experiences with others, the online reputation of a brand, platform, or game is often a solid indication of what to expect.

As such, gamers are increasingly researching new platforms or games to see what others are saying before committing. This is helping gamers avoid games or operators that do not treat players fairly and is compelling developers and platforms to take more responsibility for their engagement and interactions with players.

Conclusion

As games and platforms continue to evolve and offer more in-game content and collectibles, the shift from owning a game to establishing a digital portfolio within games is becoming more prominent.

With some players spending endless hours collecting items in games or investing thousands of dollars, like the woman who stole $166,000 from her job to fund her online game addiction, concern over losing your account to someone else or having your data stolen is a valid and growing worry.

With the above security expectations growing among players, developers and operators will need to continue paying careful attention to the requirements of players and security to retain their user base. Failure to do this may result in some very popular games and platforms becoming yesterday’s news.