Entertainment in the form of video games has undergone a huge metamorphosis over the last 30-40 years. We used to enjoy linear titles, where you play from A to Z and finish at a certain point in the game. Today, however, there is a growing preference for all sorts of online productions that can provide unlimited play time. Online gaming is becoming more and more popular every year. In addition to the demand, there are also growing expectations from players about the quality of the games, their addictiveness and the difficulty of the game.

Historical developments

As mentioned in the introduction, users enjoyed playing games with a specific storyline and gameplay model. To this day, many games still use this model. The idea is that when you start the game, you have some missions and tasks to complete. Over the course of the gameplay, you complete such tasks, follow the main storyline, and at the end enjoy the conclusion of the whole story and gameplay. On the other hand, there are games that, together with various add-ons, can consume up to hundreds of hours. A great example of this can be:

  • The Witcher 3: Wild Gon,
  • Horizon: Forbidden West,
  • Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition,
  • Red Dead Redemption II,
  • Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey,
  • Dragon Age: Inquisition,
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

At the turn of the 21st century, the first elaborate gaming machines began to appear, which, by the way, were often free to play. It was the free-to-play model that proved to be a hit! The developers release their games completely free of charge so that anyone wishing to play the game can download it to their computer, console or phone. However, there are more or less micropayment options in the game. For real money, you can buy new characters, items and skins to change their appearance. Players today are willing to spend money on premium accounts, and additional items so that the game is able to earn much more than in the traditional sales model. Today, microtransaction-based free-to-play mobile and browser games, as well as all MMOs, are extremely popular.

Gambling also dominates online

Let us now take online gambling as an example, such as online pokies, which are available to all willing players. As it happens, many people who play slots or bet on the outcome of sports matches do so via electronic devices. Online casinos and bookmakers have become much more accessible, and instead of going to specialised land-based betting shops, you can just open an account and place bets. Of course, this must be done legally, which means:

  • each player must be at least 18 years of age,
  • you can only place your bets on legal sites that have the appropriate licences and permits,
  • having only one account per person – more accounts may mean a ban and blocking of the account,
  • using only legal forms of finance for betting.

Online gambling is also available both from web browsers on computers and also from smartphones. This applies to slots for money as well as those that are free of charge. The latter are basically typical games that can be found in a casino, but they do not allow you to play with real money. To make bets in them, you use virtual chips or means to play – simulations.  Detailed information about such games can be found in online pokies reviews au. Thus, what games, in fact, can be played online for free nowadays?

  • Slot machines – various types of one-armed bandit-type slots, which have a multitude of different symbols on rotating reels. Several of the same symbols appearing on a line ensures a win.
  • Card games – different variations of poker, blackjack and baccarat. Knowledge of the basic rules is essential.
  • Table games – primarily different variations of roulette and craps, where a number of different bets can be placed.
  • Scratch cards, instant games – special electronic versions of scratch cards known from newsagents, as well as simple games with 50/50 bets.
  • Bookmaker bets – the possibility of betting on the outcome of various sporting events. In particular, it is about football matches, volleyball, basketball, tennis, hockey, cycling and car races, and boxing fights.
  • Virtual sports – a variation of betting, in which you deal with competitions in the form of a video game.

Just as more and more computer games are being developed, the number of online casinos and bookmakers is increasing. Thanks to this, everyone has the chance to find something perfect for themselves.

Widespread availability

Back at the beginning of the 21st century, when the digitalisation process was just beginning in many countries, online gaming was mainly associated with PCs. However, technological changes have also led to considerable innovations in the field of online gaming. First, there were consoles with an online gaming option, and today many people have at least one mobile game on their phone, where the gameplay also takes place online. Quite a few younger people have a PlayStation, Xbox or Switch. However, there is no denying that smartphones are the most growing gaming platform. They are cheap, accessible and many people enjoy even the simplest of games, to which they can devote a couple of minutes a day. There is a reason why many mobile game developers today generate more profit than even quite well-known and large development studios.

Building a community

A very important aspect for anyone who plays online is community building. This is because you can play different online productions with your friends from school, backyard or work, as well as with people you have just met online. It is this latter aspect that is used to build online communities around the playing process. Special forums and groups are created, where one can look for people to play together and exchange experiences.

Online games also create groups that meet online on Twitch, often travelling to tournaments, competitions and events. There is no denying that video games also help people who have problems with interpersonal contacts on a daily basis. It is easier for such players to write or talk to someone online, as they do not feel the pressure of direct contact. Online games are also a form of small help for lonely people. After all, not everyone has the opportunity, the will or the time to go out. They can always spend some of their free time playing games, which allows them to relax and distract from everyday issues for a while.

Online games are certainly the present and will be the future of online entertainment. This is because it is possible to enjoy both typical video games as well as the aforementioned betting, casino games. This increases our options, which means that more and more people can find something for themselves.

Conclusion

As you can see, online gaming has a history of several decades, rooted in the classic slots available in land-based casinos, and in turn, can be counted back nearly 130 years. Almost like mushrooms after the rain and on a regular basis, more and more new computer games are being created. They can already be counted in the hundreds of titles, and leading game manufacturers are outdoing themselves with ideas that often positively surprise their players.

Computer games are great fun and can be played completely for free from any device, both computer and phone. At the same time, it should be remembered that games can be addictive, so it is advisable to play responsibly and in moderation, without succumbing to strong emotions.

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Betty Bugle
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