“The quality of our games and retention programs will make players stay even after the pandemic phase” – Vivek Singh

In an interview with The Gaming Reporter, Vivek Singh, Co-Founder of Stick Pool Club talked about 3D Poker, plans to launch a real-money rummy game & shared his opinion on post-pandemic market for online games.

The Gaming Reporter – How different is 3D Poker from other Poker platforms?

Vivek Singh – 3D Poker is the frontrunner in the arena of online-poker gaming. The 3D poker features 3-D forms of personalized Avatars, which have the ability to move their heads to see every player at the table depending on the gameplay. It provides a much closer real-world like experience of playing and conversing with real players. The actions performed by 3D avatars like after winning a game, folding their cards, checking the play, etc. are designed for players, who feel closer to the real world game atmosphere. 

The dynamics of 3D Poker has received a huge number of users during the unprecedented times of pandemic lockdown and self-isolation that gave the opportunity to bring people closer. Also, to further our goal of providing players with real-life experience in virtual mode, we have launched Live Poker and have received an overwhelming response from our players.

TGR – What sparked the idea behind the 3D personalized avatars?

VS – When you’re sitting on a 2D table while playing poker, it is just a screen wherein cards pop. There is no real feeling of sitting on a Poker table, in a poker club or on the beachside. There’s a feeling of jabbing your thumbs on a screen, nothing else. 3D Poker and personalized 3D Avatars are there so that the monotonous feel of 2D screens can be done away with. Personalized avatars also provide players with a sense of connectivity with the game as they are different from other avatars aka players. This distinguishing feature results in personalized experience for each and every player.

TGR – We’ve learnt that the company is interested in launching a real-money Rummy game. Can you share any details?

VS – Yes, there are plans of launching a game of Rummy by the mid of 2021. The game is in early development phase and we are incorporating additional features to make the game of masses appeal to the masses. We will be launching it mid next year 

TGR – People often get confused between online games & esports. Real-money online games & esports are different, but is a differentiation needed? What are your thoughts?

VS – One of the biggest misconceptions and mistakes that people make is using the terms “esports” and “online gaming” interchangeably. There is a big difference between e-Sports and online gaming, the need for the differentiation also arises due to the fact that not all gamers are eSports enthusiast.

See Also

In Conversation with Jaganathan Chelliah, Senior Director, Marketing, India, Middle East, and TIA, at Western Digital

Online Gaming is the action or practice of playing games over the internet. Gamers or Gaming enthusiasts are individuals who enjoy an array of titles, which can range from single player to multiplayer, and which may or may not have a competitive element to them. It is an all encompassing term of which eSports is a subset.

Esports is shortened from the term “Electronic Sports” and is also known as “competitive video gaming, professional gaming.” These are in the form of competitions held on specific multiplayer online video game platforms that have team-based elements, such as: Overwatch, Call of Duty, League Of Legends, or single player-based strategy elements, such as: Hearthstone and Starcraft 2 etc.

TGR – There has been a rise in online games due to the pandemic, but it is likely that the market will shrink again, once people return to their normal lives. How does Stick Pool Club plan to retain its audience post-pandemic?

VS – Yes, we have witnessed a sudden rush on our platform during the lockdown period of the pandemic. As most people were stuck inside their homes, the online gaming community grew multi-fold. However, this increase was not completely unexpected as more Indian gamers are expected to come into the foray of online gaming by year 2022. There are speculations regarding the markets shrinking again but we do not expect the market to go back to the way it was before pandemic hit. We are also confident about the quality of our games and retention programs wherein players would stay even when this pandemic is over.