The popularity of online gaming has reached an unbelievable level, with some games boasting almost a million concurrent players, on average, at any time.
You only have to look at the world of casino gaming to understand the kind of growth we are talking about. The number of different casino games and slot games themes with original ideas and variety for players. Online gaming is becoming more attractive to the masses.
Gaming is even starting to work its way into other areas of life, with film adaptations like Gran Turismo and the Super Mario Bros. Movie working their way into cinemas and onto screens, helping to turn gaming into a ubiquitous part of everyday life.
So, what is driving the growth of gaming online, and are the figures really growing that much?
Choice of games
As we’ve already briefly mentioned when discussing slot games, the choice of games out there is crucial when it comes to attracting more players. Among the most-played games in the world are the mystical world of Dota 2, the battling simulator World of Warships and even games like Roblox, which has a more basic appeal. Even Goose Goose Duck, which has the tagline “time to be a silly goose”, sees hundreds of thousands of players online at a time.
As well as all of these huge games, there are many more niche games that allow people to cater for their exact tastes when it comes to their online gaming. Whether you’re into simulation games, strategy or even word games, there’s something out there for you.
Esports tournaments
For many modern youngsters, the dreams of becoming a professional sportsperson have morphed into dreams of becoming an esports pro. The idea of getting paid to play your favorite game may seem ambitious, but it is possible in the modern age.
There are some huge tournaments out there that help to drive growth and attract people to play online.
In October, the Dota 2 tournament “The International” takes place, and this sees hundreds of thousands of players log in to their games, inspired by the professionals they see on Twitch streams and elsewhere online. Pro tournaments provide a real boom for the industry. Multimillion-dollar prizes also keep youngsters dreaming of what they can potentially achieve if they reach the pinnacle of the game.
Even smaller games without a massive following may have a pro gaming scene, which can provide a way for players to make an income or just gain fans by being the best.
Accessibility of online games and high-speed internet
It is easy for players to access online games, and lots of platforms even help players to access their console or games from their mobile devices. For instance, the Xbox app allows players to log in and play many of their favorite Xbox games when they are on the go.
These games are played via an online server, so they do not have the same kind of issues that you may experience when trying to run a game on a device with insufficient processing power. The internet connection is the main aspect to ensure a good experience with no lag while playing.
On top of this, it is becoming much easier to access high-speed internet from anywhere. Online gaming requires a good level of internet connection, but with more places in the US and around the world getting high-speed internet, it is becoming easier even for players from rural areas to access games.
A lot of games that are played online are also free or very affordable, as some companies try to tempt players in with a low up-front cost, with the potential to spend money in-game in the future.
Most Americans are gamers
This seems like an incredible statement. Some people have stereotypes of what a gamer looks like, and these tend not to be true. An amazing 65% of Americans surveyed said they played some form of games.
This could mean playing Facebook games like Bejeweled or other word games, logging into Wordle to play every day, or playing casino games. To be a gamer, you don’t have to be a console gamer, and using the devices most of us carry around in our pockets, there are many options to play games online.
Conclusion
In truth, gaming probably hasn’t reached its peak. There are so many new games in the works that could cause the numbers of players skyrocket, and younger generations continue to increase their interest in gaming.