Video games have been popular for decades, but it’s only really since 2020 that online gaming revenues experienced a significant boost, due to the global pandemic and the need to stay home. The latest statistic tells an impressive story: the online gaming industry is raking in an impressive $26.14bn annually, and this continues to rise. It has now become a significant form of entertainment, and the options have continued to expand. In this article, we’ll talk about why more players are turning to online gaming for both fun and rewards.
Sports video games
Sports video games have been attractive to a wide audience for years now. Driving games, golf, FIFA and many others combine a good mix of competitive elements with activities that people enjoy. With sports games, players can take on the role of their favourite players or athletes. One of the biggest series of sports games is FIFA, which is a global hit that uses a good mix of strategy, fun and a bit of realism to appeal to gamers who follow the sport.
FIFA is the flagship sports game by EA Sports. It has been popular for decades and has new updates every year, which include changes to teams and stadiums as well as improvements to gameplay mechanics. What is great about FIFA is that it is accessible to casual players but is also deep enough for people to play it competitively. In the online multiplayer mode, players can compete against one another no matter where they are in the world. This has created a global community of fans who interact with each other, create teams and face each other in virtual matches. So, you could be playing as Manchester United from the comfort of your own home.
Esports and competitive gaming
In a similar way, esports has been growing in popularity, and the games played aren’t necessarily sports games either. However, they are played competitively in leagues and people are able to bet on their outcomes at sportsbooks.
Esports competitions are often high-stakes tournaments with huge prize pools and their popularity is growing. They attract both dedicated gamers as well as casual players who enjoy the excitement. One of the main reasons that esports has gained popularity is due to the accessibility of the games. Anyone with the right equipment, such as a computer, and an internet connection can watch the matches or place a wager.
Popular esports titles include:
- League of Legends: A multiplayer game with professional leagues
- Dota 2: An online strategy game
- Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO): A first-person shooter (FPS)
- Fortnite: An FPS popular with young people
These games have become household names and there are millions of players who login each day to play, compete or spectate. Sometimes the prize pools can reach £10m or more.
Esports are really engaging because they combine real-time action alongside strategy and a massive competitive element. Esports athletes spend thousands of hours honing their skills and many of them have large followings on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, with fans following their favourite players and teams much like traditional sports. There’s a strong betting element to these games too. For the top players, esports has become a lucrative career and players are scouted, with up and coming talent looking to sign with the bigger esports teams.
Online casino games: Fun and potential rewards
Casino games have been popular for centuries, but it’s only in the last few decades that their online counterparts have become a popular pastime. Online casino games have been around since the 1990s, but the heat has been turned up in recent years — and especially post-pandemic — with more and more people accessing them than ever before. People enjoy online casinos for lots of different reasons and there seems to be a new online casino popping up every week.
At traditional brick-and-mortar casinos, the most popular games have been blackjack, poker, roulette and baccarat. However, the tide has turned somewhat since the online casino took off. What were once just accessories in the halls of physical casinos are now the mainstay for most people: slot machines. There are literally thousands of online slots UK players enjoy, and their themes and gameplay are just as diverse as the players themselves.
Popular types of slot games have themes of adventure, ancient civilizations, fishing games, popular franchises like Deal or No Deal and Game of Thrones and more. Within these titles, you’ll often find variations on different games. For example, the Big Bass series has several titles all sharing the same fishing theme but with different aspects, such as a progressive jackpot version.
The traditional table games are still popular too, especially live dealer formats where you can play with other people in real-time. There are also variants of these games and a range of table limits to suit all types of players. This means they’re attractive to a huge range of people, including casual players who would have felt intimidated to step into a real casino and play. You can play for pennies if you wish!
What attracts players to enjoy these types of games goes beyond the entertainment factor. With these games, there is an opportunity to win real money. With casinos offering rewarding loyalty schemes and promotions, players keep coming back for more.
Of course, it’s important to remember that these games should be used for entertainment purposes only. Gambling can be enjoyed but it should be done in a healthy way, and you should never spend more than you can afford to lose. The best platforms promote safe gaming practices and responsible gaming. There are tools to help prevent issues, including loss limits, deposit limits and time-outs. Players are encouraged to use these to keep the experience a positive one.
Social and community aspects of gaming
Another reason an increasing number of people are turning to gaming is because of the social element. This was why many people turned to gaming during the pandemic, and it’s become a new way of socialising ever since.
Multiplayer games and online gaming platforms offer players the opportunity to play the games they like in comfort while being a part of a community. Games like Fortnite, Rocket League and Apex Legends, for example, all allow players to interact with others, form teams and compete.
As mentioned above, Twitch and YouTube have become a further element of social gaming experiences and allow players to build an audience. As with other online spheres, the most successful can monetise their gaming and generate income through content creation and sponsorships.
The future
The rewards for gaming are likely to continue to grow with the likely rise of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) set to change the way we experience online gaming. The future is likely to be full of AI-driven games and immersive storytelling with the potential for more in-game rewards like blockchain NFTs driving gaming to a new level.
Conclusion
Online games, and their rewards, are here to stay. The market is expected to continue to expand both in terms of reach and revenue indefinitely. With technology improving at a rapid pace, it’s likely that the games that today’s children end up playing as adults will still be unimaginable for gamers today. What we can presume though, is that the rewards of gaming will always exist.
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