Will Digital Darts Games Ever Be Able to Compete with Physical Play?

At Darts501, we wear our love for the game on our sleeves. It's a sport we're passionate about, and we take playing and analysing all its aspects seriously. Despite this, we also try to approach it without bias, especially when judging it against other classic forms of entertainment. This led us to wonder how darts have evolved in the digital age, and why it remains so firmly planted in the landscape of physical gaming.

 

The Age of Digital Conversions

Average computers today aren't what they used to be. While many of us started back on the old systems of Windows 95 or before, a modern PC or Mac is hundreds of times faster and much easier to use. Their spread of use has also driven the continued expansion of digital gaming in all its forms. The type we find ourselves most interested in are the games, which start as physical experiences and sports, and then move to the online realm.

 

 

These translations exist on a spectrum, where some are extremely successful in turning into digital experiences, and some struggle with the process. For an example of the positive, we could look at online casino games like those in the Megaways lineup. Titles here like Lure of the Lamp and Raging Waterfall succeed because they offer almost the exact same experience as the traditional physical game, just with an iGaming twist. With top-class visuals, a huge range of themes, and access available anywhere with mobile or desktop platforms, these games make strong translation to the digital sphere.

 

Why (Almost) Everyone Chooses Physical Darts

Physical games that don't quite translate as well to digital experiences are those where the tactile appeal is a significant part of the game. This is the case with darts, where the feel of each dart in your fingers, the sensation of releasing a perfect throw, and the thrill of it hitting the mark can't be emulated with software.

That's not to say that darts video games don't exist; they do, and some are quite fun. As explored by Loot Level Chill, these exist as both dedicated releases and mini-games in other titles, but either way, they're never especially popular. This is because controlling a dart with a controller or a mouse just can't be the same as holding one, and it never will be.

That's not to say video games have no strengths that can be exploited in gaming; some advantages here do stand out. Being able to play in virtual tournaments online or play in simulated championships in digitised major tournaments is still enjoyable. It's just a little too far from the physical experience for most

 

 

Possible Future Potential

In the coming generations of virtual and augmented reality gaming, more tactile physical games like darts and snooker may see major translations. This might still not be ideal, however, given the difficulty of mapping real physics and feel to the virtual space.

Even with cutting-edge haptic feedback gloves, the best virtual dart throwing would require the player to hold a physical dart as a controller. If that's the case, you might as well invest in a real dartboard and cut out the tech middle-man. Still, for the possibility of multiplayer competition from our homes, this potential is something we look forward to.