People have always played games, and likely always will — there seems to be something hardwired into our DNA that makes us love doing battle with other people in a low-stakes way. As with all things, the internet had a profound impact on gaming. Unlike all other things, the internet’s impact on gaming has been unanimously positive. You won’t find many people saying that gaming was better in the old days, in large part because you can still play the majority of those older games — thanks to the internet! So how did the digital revolution drive gaming forward? Let’s take a look.
Access For All
People have been able to play games for decades. However, in the old days, you’d either need a console, or to be friends with someone who owned one, or live close to an arcade. And there were many people that fell on the wrong side of that criteria. Thanks to the internet, people of all backgrounds and locations can indulge in gaming with little more than a device and an internet connection. You can play games on your smartphone, laptop, or PC. With more people than ever owning at least one of those devices, the gaming community has never been in a stronger position.
Exploring New Games and Interests
Let’s go back, again, to the early days of gaming. There were many games available for consoles but, with a high price tag, you had to be highly selective about which games you would buy. There wasn’t all that much room for experimentation. Today, gamers can try out a wide array of games risk-free. They can download trials on Steam, for example, or install one of the many free-to-play games from the app store.
It’s also easier and more cost-effective to dive deeper into their favorite games, too. Gamers can use a betting offer from OddsChecker to back their favorite professional esports gamer for tournament success. This offers a whole new avenue for engagement, with all of the usual sports markets and betting lines available. Gamers can also get access to in-depth guides and reviews without having to purchase a magazine. In other words, the internet has severely expanded the gamer’s world, allowing them to indulge in their passion whenever and wherever they like.
Gaming as a Social Activity
The main goal of the internet was to bring people together. In some areas of life, that was a failure. But in others, such as gaming, it was a runaway success. While there’s something to be said for some individual gaming time, it’s much more enjoyable when you’re sharing the activity with friends and family.
The internet has helped to facilitate communal play, making it easier than ever before for friends to come together thanks to their shared love of the same game. You can meet up with your nearest and dearest on the battlefield, challenge each other at online FIFA, or stay connected to those slow and easy back-and-forth games, such as Words With Friends.
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Significant Investment
The internet has helped gaming in an indirect, behind-the-scenes way, too. The influx of players meant a huge increase in gaming revenue. Indeed, it has been so profitable that the gaming industry is now worth more than the music and movie industries combined. This has led to better graphics, more complex storylines, and all-around more creative games. Without the internet, the gaming world could be stuck in a cycle of slow progress. With the revenue of the web, the speed of progress accelerated significantly.
What the Future May Bring
We’re in a golden period for gaming. And it’s likely that the internet will bring even further development in the coming decade, thanks to the emergence of virtual reality and the metaverse, both of which open untold possibilities for the gaming world, which has always kept up to date with — and even actively contributed towards — technological progress. All the foundations for the gaming industry to have an exceptionally bright few decades are already there, and that’s something that should excite all gamers.
