While there has been a niche collective of players since the industry was emerging, online gaming hasn’t always been mainstream. It’s astonishing to think how popular online gaming has become over the past few years. Today, there are more than one billion online gamers, which means one in eight people across the globe enjoy the activity. And the numbers continue to go up, too. So what’s behind this rise?
While there has been a niche collective of players since the industry was emerging, online gaming hasn’t always been mainstream. It’s astonishing to think how popular online gaming has become over the past few years. Today, there are more than one billion online gamers, which means one in eight people across the globe enjoy the activity. And the numbers continue to go up, too. So what’s behind this rise?
In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the key reasons why the popularity of online gaming has surged in recent years.
It’s Convenient
The early days of online gaming were anything but convenient. People of a certain age will recall having to go to internet gaming cafes if they wanted to play leading titles against others.
But today, that’s all changed.
In many ways, online gaming is the most convenient form of gaming. Why? Because you really only need your smartphone to do it, and that’s something that most people have. Rather than having to buy a gaming console, you can just download a title onto your device, and you’ll be on your way. It couldn’t be more simple.
You Can Play Hard-to-Reach Games
In the past, playing arcade or casino games was only straightforward if you happened to live next to an arcade or casino. If you didn’t, it was an inconvenient challenge even getting to the venue.
Online gaming has made historically-offline games much more accessible, giving players a chance to spend time on games they enjoy right from the comfort of their own homes. So long as they have an internet connection, a gamer can play Pac-Man at Pacman Live, multiple variants of blackjack at PokerStars Casino or Chess. The internet has essentially made it easier for people to have these experiences who would otherwise have found it difficult.
Games Have Become Social
Most things that allow you to connect with other people will be popular. That’s why Twitter remains hugely popular despite having obvious problems. While it can be nice to sit in your own world from time to time, for most it’s more enjoyable to play with other people, be they friends or strangers, although some common sense is required.
These days, the majority of titles have a social side. You can either play with other people directly via the internet, or you can use the games’ social features (such as leaderboards, etc) to enhance the community experience. In this sense, games have become another method to socialize – players are not just actively challenging themselves; they’re joining with others for fun, either in the form of competition or cooperation.
Games Have Become Extremely Good
In the olden days, only the most committed gamers would play online. They were fundamentally interested in the activity itself, so the actual gaming experience wasn’t so much of a concern. Back then, enthusiasts were happy to play even if the games were basic, because they were curious about the emerging trends and technology of the online realm.
Today, that’s different. Online gaming titles have improved significantly, so it makes sense that more people would have an interest in playing. Offline games used to be the best titles around.
Now, all the best releases are online. With a wide range of options, comes a wider range of players.
Everyone Has a Device
Back in 2007, even the most optimistic person would not have thought that smartphones would have taken off in the manner that they did. Today, the vast majority of people have a smartphone — and that number is only increasing with each passing year.
Even the most basic of smartphones are powerful enough to play online games. Indeed, playing online games is right up there with the most common smartphone activities. And it’s easy to see why. If you have a smartphone, then eventually you’ll begin to play around and see what it’s capable of. If you open up the app store on your phone, you’ll naturally come across gaming in a way that might not have been possible in the past.
It’s Affordable
Not all games are affordable. Some of the latest titles from the big-name publishers can be anything but cheap, in fact. But there’s also a plethora of gaming titles that are very much within budget. Some of the world’s leading titles are free, even. The developers make their money when players make in-game purchases (such as extra rounds, clothes for their avatar, etc.). This is a highly effective business model, and one that benefits players, who can try their hand at playing games without risk. It opens up the market to people who historically may never have thought about gaming.
They’re Perfect For Busy Lifestyles
There’s no avoiding the fact that people are busier than ever before. It’s not so much the number of hours they’re working, but the fact that they have to also spend time traveling to the office, the store, and so forth. This “dead time” is the perfect opportunity to spend some time playing games. A lot of the most popular online smartphone games are ones that you can enjoy even if you only have a few minutes of playing time. Rather than staring into space, you can just get out your phone, and get playing.
It’s a Seamless Experience
There’s also the matter of the “experience.” People wouldn’t play games online if the activity felt like a disjointed, awkward experience, one that was full of glitches and loss of connection. The gaming industry is hugely profitable and, as hardware infrastructure and internet connectivity have improved, the industry has followed. So long as you have a good internet connection, the gaming experience should now be pretty flawless.
Conclusion
The gaming world is going through a memorable moment. Worth more than Hollywood and the music industry combined, it’s an industry that has seen outstanding growth — and that’s in large part due to the online gaming sector, which is becoming increasingly more popular with the general public.
