Online gaming has gone from strength to strength in recent years, growing exponentially in popularity to become one of the most influential forms of entertainment on the planet.
It is a great pastime to get involved with, whether you want to treat it as a bit of fun to play when you get home from work or as a more serious interest that you may want to pursue professionally in the future.
The best part about the gaming industry is that there is so much variety within it. Everything from the choice between console, PC, or handheld device, to the scores of popular genres and the seemingly endless list of jobs that are available if you want to make it your career path, gaming is widely diverse.
Of course, this depth brings with it the danger of oversaturation. Knowing where to start can feel impossible when there is so much to choose from.
Do you go out and buy the first console and game you can find? Or do you spend months diving headfirst down a rabbit hole of partisan fans who can’t agree on the best game, let alone console?
The best approach lies somewhere in the middle. You want to just jump in and start playing as soon as possible, but having a little background information upfront can help prevent you from spending money unnecessarily and save you time browsing in a store.
Here are some tips for getting started in online gaming:
Try playing games on your phone
A great place to start your online gaming journey is with a simple phone-based game that you can pick up anywhere you want and requires minimal up-front investment.
These games allow you to get started without needing to purchase loads of accessories (such as a steering wheel and pedal box for driving games, or a computer with a high processing power for advanced online multiplayer). As a result, you don’t have to break the bank or feel overwhelmed by the abilities of your fellow players.
What’s more, you can get a great flavor for whether online gaming really is for you without having to make too much time for it in your existing routine. Some of the best genres on mobile include puzzle games, online strategy games, as well as popular casino games. You can try many different table games, including blackjack, poker, and craps, at cafe casino.
Find a game genre that matches your existing interests
There are a dizzying array of gaming genres available, all of which have numerous sub-genres within them.
To give you a quick taster of the diversity of these genres, you can play anything from sports games (like FIFA or Formula One affiliated titles), sandbox games (which allow you to do pretty much anything, like Garry’s Mod), and action-adventure games (which usually have more complex single-player storylines, such as Assassin’s Creed or Uncharted), to expansive online multiplayer games like Dota 2 or World of Warcraft.
Given that these different genres offer wildly different experiences and are intended for different audiences, it is best to base your initial choice on your existing tastes or interests.
Perhaps you have a penchant for horror films (making horror games an obvious fit), or maybe you are a huge car fan (which makes driving simulators like Gran Turismo or Forza a good place to start).
This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy other genres; it just helps you pick where to start.
Make sure you are having fun
Perhaps the most important tip of all, if you are looking to get started in online gaming, is to have fun.
Gaming has become such a huge industry, with legions of fans who are in opposition with each other over the best games or consoles to play, along with the many players trying to chase fame and fortune as a professional player, meaning the whole pastime is in danger of taking itself a little bit too seriously.
Online games are supposed to inject excitement into daily life. They are designed to thrill you and spark strong emotions which last a lifetime.
Remember to relax and just have fun playing whichever games you are interested in, and avoid any feelings of intimidation if you play more serious players online.
Don’t expect to be amazing to start with
To follow on from the previous point, don’t pressure yourself into trying to master a game overnight. It takes a while to get your eye in with certain games because they are designed to test your skills.
Instead, just build up your skill level slowly, and try not to feel frustrated if you keep getting stuck on the same levels. It happens to everyone.
