Bingo has been around for centuries in one form or another.
Early incarnations of the game saw it played in bingo halls where people would congregate on a Saturday night for a few hours of fun.
Then, following the advent of the internet, bingo went digital.
From there, the game enjoyed a renaissance as younger, tech-savvy players began to embrace the call of the balls.
This led to the advent of crossover events that fuse live acts with bingo to create a heady cocktail of entertainment.
The point here is that bingo has always been popular, but the question is why?
Well, the game itself is inherently entertaining, that’s the main reason.
However, the other reason bingo has survived through the ages is the fact it evolves.
From the early days of game cards and marker pens, we’re not at a point where you can tap the screen on a smartphone and play for lines and full houses.
Building bridges has kept bingo relevant
As well as playing for cash prizes, online bingo sites also provide a bridge between digital games and their live counterparts.
For example, the Buzz bingo clubs finder provides a simple way to search for ways to play in your local area.
What’s also neat about offering a way to transition from online bingo to live games is that there are crossover promotions within the Buzz network and a walkthrough video so players know exactly what to expect on their first visit.
Essentially, what we have here is a system that links live and online bingo and, in turn, keeps the game relevant in all settings.
These links have kept bingo popular over the last decade, but what about the future?
Online platforms are unlikely to go anywhere, as are live clubs and hybrid events.
However, there will be changes. As we’ve said, the game evolves over time.
Therefore, we can’t ignore the potential of innovations such as virtual reality (VR) and metaverse technology.
We’ve already seen Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg playing table tennis against other people in virtual rooms, so there’s no reason bingo couldn’t evolve in the same way.
Step into a virtual world of bingo
Bingo VR for Oculus Go provides a unique gaming experience where each full house pushes back a hoard of invading aliens.
This is just the start of what’s to come.
DNA VR in Manchester (and London) has a collection of interesting games, including free-roaming adventures and escape rooms.
Given that bingo is already popular in Manchester, there’s no reason a VR offering can be added to the mix.
Playing locally against friends in a dedicated VR suite is one option.
But we also know that metaverse technology can connect people in different locations.
This would take what online bingo sites already offer and create a new experience.
There are plenty of possibilities with VR and metaverse technology and, given how bingo has always moved with the times, the odds are that it will move in this direction.
That’s an exciting prospect and, for people in Manchester, it could open up more ways to play bingo in the city.
