CLIENT PROMOTION
Learn why APAC’s iGaming streaming industry is moving in the direction of sub-second latency. Discover challenges to accomplishing streams with such minimal latency in this region and viable solutions for live game studios that set out to produce high-quality iGaming experiences for this audience.
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is seeing a massive demand for iGaming and online casinos. As this demand grows and more live game studios attempt to enter the space, so does the demand for high-quality, real-time streaming experiences.
Unfortunately, there are some technical challenges involved that make it difficult to produce streams to meet this demand. Most streaming solutions simply don’t have what it takes to help these online casinos and sportsbooks bring their games to life. However, Dolby OptiView is the exception.
In this article, we’ll talk about why real-time latency is crucial for APAC’s live game studios that aim to deliver their streams with sub-second latency. We’ll focus on the challenges live game studios face when producing high-quality, real-time streams for this region, and the solutions to overcome them.
The value of real-time latency in iGaming
Real-time latency is increasingly sought after by live game studios in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, as high-latency streams no longer cut it. Higher latency simply stands in the way of creating optimal user experiences, as it tends to disrupt gameplay and frustrate players, preventing these businesses from maximizing revenue.
By streaming in real time with sub-second latency, live game studios can offer faster gameplay. Plus, higher-quality experiences with such low latency feel more lifelike and keep viewers engaged, motivating them to extend their playing sessions and inspiring them to return for subsequent sessions.
This creates the opportunity for players to play more games and place more bets within the same time frame. With more rounds played and extended betting windows, these interactive experiences are yielding higher revenue for the operators.
Challenges of serving real-time streams to an APAC audience
Although real-time latency is paramount, many providers are struggling to deliver these experiences. Let’s review some of the hurdles APAC’s live game studios face in creating real-time live experiences.
Inconsistent latency
As we’ve covered, real-time latency is crucial for creating the engaging iGaming experiences your audience demands. Unfortunately, many live game studios in APAC struggle to find a streaming solution that consistently delivers sub-second latency.
When providers cannot consistently deliver this crucial component to the streaming setup, the viewer experience suffers. With inconsistent latency, live gameplay becomes unfair since information is not relayed to all players at the same time. Real-time betting also becomes unfair, as even a few seconds can put one bettor at an advantage over another.
Since online casinos and sportsbooks handle constant financial transactions, creating a level playing field that ensures fairness for all players is essential. As a result, compromising on consistent latency directly affects viewer loyalty and operator revenue.
Working with a provider that provides consistently ultra-low latency is crucial for maintaining a super interactive and engaging user experience. Fortunately, with Dolby OptiView Streaming, you can serve sub-second, real-time streams every time.
When you work with a provider that has the technical ability to offer that consistent latency through a combination of an adequate content delivery network (CDN), robust streaming protocols, and adaptive bitrate streaming, you can ensure fair play and create experiences that keep players coming back for more.
Slow startup times
Another issue that goes hand in hand with inconsistent latency is slow startup times. In addition to issues with fair gameplay, slow video startup times can put a damper on user engagement.
It disrupts the flow of the stream, crushing the intended lifelike nature of the experience. Not only is this discouraging to viewers, but it truly takes them out of the game. This reduced engagement results in fewer bets placed, which directly impacts your revenue.
If you couple latency issues with slow startup times, user frustration builds. This can perpetuate the disengagement or cause players to abandon the platform altogether. You can prevent abandonment and set your platform up for growth by ensuring your tech stack can produce streams with quick startup times.
Prioritizing quick startup times can help you gain market share by positioning your iGaming platform as the go-to destination for smooth online betting and gambling experiences. Since many competitors in the APAC region struggle with slow startup times, being known as a provider that has overcome this challenge will make your offer far more appealing than theirs.
Leveraging the same tools for consistent latency, Dolby OptiView employs a robust tech stack that ensures quick startup for high-quality, fair iGaming experiences.
Dolby OptiView is one of the only real-time streaming solutions that provides access to a CDN with appropriate coverage for players across the entire APAC region. This reliable CDN support ensures faster video streaming startup and resilient performance during peak user periods for all viewers.
Poor stream quality over unstable networks
Across the APAC region, there is significant variation in internet speed and stability. Some urban areas have high-speed internet, but many remote areas within the region have inconsistent internet infrastructure, leading to unstable connections.
Delivering high-quality streams to users with stable internet connections is much more straightforward. However, ensuring smooth video playback and iGaming experiences for those with unstable internet connections becomes a critical challenge, especially when it comes to real-time streaming with imperceptible latency.
RelatedPosts
Live game studios can ensure high-quality delivery to viewers across all internet connections with Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR). This dynamic streaming technology optimizes video quality to match network conditions, serving the rendition best suited to their connection. ABR helps provide a real-time iGaming experience even with unstable network conditions.
ABR is another key technology that Dolby OptiView leverages to produce streams with sub-second latency consistently. The dynamic nature of this technology helps to prevent bottlenecks and buffering, so all users can access the same information at the same time, keeping things fair for all players.
Lack of cross-platform compatibility
Serving a diverse audience requires the ability to meet viewers where they are. In more practical terms, your experience has to be device-agnostic, serving people on any device, operating system, or browser they use.
The key to successfully creating and delivering high-quality, cross-platform experiences lies in the video player. You need to choose a streaming solution with a device-agnostic video player. It needs to be suitable for dynamic experiences that ensure a high-quality stream, regardless of the devices viewers use.
Cross-platform compatibility is woven into the foundation of Dolby OptiView. Our technology is designed to ensure reliable video playback across all types of devices, including mobile phones, web browsers, tablets, smart TVs, set-top boxes, and gaming consoles.
Our cross-platform helps you provide a seamless viewing experience for any viewer, regardless of the device they use. This improves accessibility to players across the APAC region.
Difficulty accommodating viewership spikes
A growing customer base is an excellent sign, as it indicates your marketing is effective and your platform is appealing. However, supporting this growth requires technical infrastructure capable of handling large player volumes, especially during sudden viewership spikes.
In addition to the standard demand for scalable infrastructure, iGaming presents some unique needs for this flexibility. For example, online horse racing often garners a surge in viewers right before the race starts. This last-minute spike is typically made up of excited bettors who are ready to make a wager on the race.
To accommodate spikes like these, online sportsbooks must choose a solution that provides a robust, scalable CDN infrastructure capable of handling streaming at scale. iGaming platforms that intend to serve players in APAC need a provider that leverages a CDN with points of presence across the region. This way, they can deliver high-quality experiences to all viewers, even in more remote locations.
Dolby OptiView for streaming with sub-second latency
Dolby OptiView is one of the most powerful solutions for creating iGaming experiences with sub-second latency. This solution helps live game studios produce consistently high-quality streams with fast startup times and smooth playback.
Leveraging a solid streaming infrastructure like Dolby OptiView’s helps to maintain the quality of the experience for every viewer, even when connections are weak or viewership is surging. With consistent performance, your audience knows they can expect a top-tier experience every time they come to your platform, which reflects excellently on your brand.
By using Dolby OptiView, you can surpass your competitors with seamless, high-quality playback, enabling extended gaming sessions and greater player engagement. Plus, our powerful video player lets you stream every game and every play on one screen. This allows fans to bet on more games.
With greater engagement, extended playtimes, and a general sense of customer loyalty, you’ll be on track to generate more revenue and grow your business.
Final thoughts
With the right technology, live game studios in APAC can deliver high-quality streaming experiences with sub-second latency. By creating engaging experiences with such low latency, you can provide a better experience for your audience and achieve better business results.
Start producing real-time streams on your iGaming platform with the help of Dolby OptiView.
