Over the last decade or so, there has been a major rise in online gaming across the planet. That’s because more people are getting into it as both a player and a spectator. It is also much more accessible for individuals to get involved due to the number of consoles out there, from desktop PCs to handheld devices. Read on to learn why the phenomenon is here to stay.
Contents
eSports Becoming The Norm
Following on the success of traditional sports, eSports has started to stake its own claim to get involved. eSports works the same way as normal sports, with rules and regulations to follow. The only difference is the activity itself and the talent you need to make it happen. In South Africa, there is now more demand for eSports, with some teams and players rising up to take to the global stage.
In South Africa alone, there is talk of turbocharging eSports to make it more popular and integrated into the mainstream scene. This will help to promote the eSports players and make it more accessible for new fans to get involved.
Many individuals and industry experts predict that eSports will eventually become a major player across the globe, surpassing many current popular sports. In some countries, such as South Korea, this has already happened.
Streaming Platforms
As we have spoken about the rise of eSports, it’s only right to talk about how streaming platforms have assisted in the journey. If you aren’t aware, video game streaming platforms work much like a traditional TV streaming platform such as Netflix. You can watch people play video games you’re interested in, either casually or at a competitive level.
Often, people choose to watch entertainers and streamers that they find enjoyment from, which is the main reason people watch. Streaming platforms such as Twitch have led the way in this regard, but platforms such as YouTube are starting to get involved.
Online Gambling
Perhaps one of the more surprising additions to the online gaming scene has been in regard to gambling. It’s not surprising that gambling is popular, as it has been for as long as humans have walked the earth in some capacity, it’s more surprising with how its evolved.
These days, you can gamble in traditional online games for new weapon or character skins or go down a more traditional route to explore gambling games.
This includes online casino games, and they come in a variety of different shapes. These days, you will be able to participate in any casino game that you would do in person online. The major complaint that used to label online gambling was that it wasn’t very social. Compared to the rest of the online gaming scene, it seemed a lonelier experience.
However, thanks to innovations and modern changes to online gambling, it is now easier than ever to gamble in a community. You could meet other gamblers or go in with friends, all to have a good time. You can gamble with real money through online casinos, but it’s worth looking at Online Casino Reviews to find the right casino for you.
Certain online casinos will have sign-up bonuses and features for new customers, while others will focus on the social aspect. Search around and do your own research to find the perfect match for you, it may require trial and error.
Microtransactions Controversy
If you are unfamiliar with the online gaming scene, you perhaps don’t know too much about microtransaction. Simply put, a microtransaction is a business transaction you take with a game you own.
You will purchase a game for a set price, and then look to purchase extra additions to the game further down the road. Usually, this was fun for a game, as it added more reasons to replay the game later.
The thing that started to change in the industry, is that a game would come out with certain features restricted behind a paywall. This means that you wouldn’t have full access to a game without paying more than what you initially did. It then got to the point that some games were known as pay to win, which meant that If you bought these microtransactions you would have better equipment to beat your competitors.
Thankfully, things have started to change in the gaming world. Now these microtransactions more often than not are purely cosmetic, which doesn’t alter the gameplay in any way. In fact, some countries have outlawed the use of microtransactions for video games aimed at those under 18, as it falls under gambling guidelines.
The Role Of Mobile Games
We have seen mobile games get more involved with online gaming in recent years. Whilst phones have always, for the most part, had access to video games of some kind, they have started to evolve into something else completely. In fact, mobile gaming in South Africa is on the rise, as it is in the rest of the world. In countries such as India, it represents the majority of gaming across the nation.
This is a trend that is likely to continue to increase. Mobile gaming is becoming more accessible, and triple A titles can even feature on the devices. Away from your mobile phone, you can also purchase mobile devices that are built purely for gaming. These too are becoming a more popular form of gaming and is one to watch for the future.
The Future Of Online Gaming
Speaking of the future, it’s worth knowing where the future of online gaming is going. People weren’t aware of where it was going for a long time, and it started to stagnate. This is what led to VR being released. However, it didn’t massively take off when introduced, arguably because the market was not yet ready for it.
Thanks to modern innovation, vast improvements have been made to the VR world, with it being more affordable for everyone. Not only that, but the technology was improved so that it was a more enjoyable experience.
