Oh, the internet. What was just a small part of our lives a few decades ago has become all-consuming. There is virtually no aspect of life where the impact of the internet has not been felt, and this has broadly been for the better. That’s certainly the case with gaming. It seems unthinkable that gaming would have risen to such prominence if the internet did not exist. Today, the video game market is larger than the music and movie industries combined. In this blog, we’re going to look at a few of the ways in which the internet has transformed gaming.
Multiplayer Options
There’s much to be said for settling in for an evening of solo gaming time. But also, let’s be real — it’s much more fun when you’re playing with or against other people, rather than with or against the computer. In the olden days, you could play with others if you invited them to your home. That concept seems pretty quaint now. Today, you can play any number of games, from sports games to massively multiplayer online video games, just with an internet connection. How far we’ve come!
The Range of Games
The internet didn’t just change how we game. It also influenced the types of games we play. Today, across all platforms, there are more game styles than ever before. You can play simple, university-project games, such as the ones you’ll find at https://itch.io/games/tag-student-project. You can play top-end, mega-budget games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, or slot games, such as the one you’ll find at wildz.com/ca/casino/sweet-bonanza/. Whether a person is looking for casual games or something a little more ambitious, there’s always an option, thanks to the internet.
Upgrades and Patches
Back in the day, a released game was the finished article. Any improvements would come in the next installment of the franchise. But the internet changed all that. Upgrades and patches keep games dynamic, allowing players to take advantage of changes in real-time, rather than having to wait for — and then buy — a new game. This keeps the game relevant for the entirety of its release. An example would be the FIFA soccer game. Way back when, the squads were set. If a player transferred to a new club the day after the game was released, then, well, too bad. Today, a quick upgrade would have the player at their new club. It’s a small touch but a valuable one.
Tutorials
Video game tutorials used to be for the hardcore fans. You could buy magazines or even books that discussed strategies, cheat codes, things like that. It was an investment. Not so, anymore. Today you can type a few search terms into Google and get a million websites telling you what you need to hear. It makes the games more fun, especially if you’re struggling to overcome one particular section of a game.
The World of Streaming
And talking of things that could not have existed in the past, it’s now possible for people to watch from afar as other people play games, rather than participating directly. If any activity describes modern life, it’s that people tune in to watch gamers do their thing. This helps foster community and makes video games more of a lifestyle. You don’t necessarily need to be playing to appreciate gaming culture. When you want to put the controller down, just login onto Twitch, and watch the world’s best — or the most entertaining — do their thing.
Final Thoughts
The internet is only just getting started. Where will it take gaming in the future? It’s hard to say, but we can promise one thing — it won’t be boring!
