‘Biometrics’ – the key to authentication in the Gaming Industry

With technology ever-evolving, the overall gaming experience is becoming more exciting and immersive. The new generation of games is providing an increasingly tailored experience through customized offerings and in-game purchases, which makes making payments during gameplay even more crucial. With fraud and fraudsters becoming more sophisticated, not least with the application of AI, biometrics are playing an increasingly important role in maximizing the gaming experience by offering seamless authentication and protection.

Ultimately, everyone within the payments chain should remember that the gaming experience is key for every gamer. To prevent friction during gameplay, enhanced biometrics, such as the way a user swipes, types, or moves, offer new possibilities for in-game authentication. A better authentication experience is critical to a gamer’s gameplay experience and conversion, and hence a faster seamless payment experience is integral to those. It’s all about giving players the best experience possible: a good game experience means customer retention.

Biometrics as the future of player protection and verification

Biometrics are the way forward in the development of sophistication to take the guesswork out of user/player identification (‘Future of Authentication 2021’). This will ensure players and gaming companies can be mutually protected throughout the user experience. However, it's important to address the challenges associated with implementing biometrics in the gaming industry.

One of the challenges is ensuring accuracy and reliability. Biometric systems need to consistently and accurately identify users to prevent unauthorized access. Robust testing and validation procedures must be in place to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of biometric authentication methods, especially when integrated into gaming platforms where real-time decision-making is crucial.

Another challenge is compatibility across different devices. Gaming encompasses a wide range of platforms, including smartphones, PCs, consoles, and virtual reality systems. Biometric solutions should be designed to work seamlessly across these diverse platforms to provide a consistent and user-friendly experience for gamers.

Additionally, managing user privacy is a paramount concern. While biometrics offer enhanced security, there may be concerns about the collection, storage, and usage of personal biometric data. It is essential for gaming companies to prioritize the protection of user privacy and comply with relevant data protection regulations. Implementing strong data encryption, informed consent procedures, and transparent privacy policies can help alleviate these concerns.

Biometrics shaping the future of gaming

Looking ahead, the future of biometrics in the gaming industry holds even more exciting possibilities. The continued use of fingerprints and Face ID can provide reliable and widely accessible biometric authentication methods. New innovations, such as Apple's Optic ID with their upcoming Vision Pro XR device and Meta Quest Pro present potential advancements in biometric authentication. At Worldline, we have built a proof-of-concept which applies behavioural biometrics to authenticate gamers in immersive experiences. These technologies offer the potential for seamless authentication and synergy with companion apps on mobile devices. By overcoming the challenges of accuracy, compatibility, and privacy, and embracing the potential of emerging technologies, I am confident the gaming industry can unlock a new era of immersive gameplay and secure authentication for gamers worldwide.

Interested to know more about Worldline’s solutions and capabilities within digital and gaming? Get in touch.