There is something uniquely human about the need to find fun. And as technology keeps evolving, the way we game has become more and more varied.
online gaming is a rich tapestry of opportunity that encompasses a number of different niches.
From remote play and nostalgic trips to making traditional games more convenient, the online world offers you a variety of unique ways to game.
Bored of the same old platforms — and looking for a way to switch things up? Read on as we explore three uniquely different ways to play the games we love
Streaming blockbuster games from your smartphone
Mobile gaming boasts 2.4 billion players worldwide — and yet it still gets sent to the corner like the naughty kid in school, restricted to Candy Crush Saga and a string of terrible looking game ports.
Why? Because these small devices simply don’t have the processing power to cope with the stunning graphics that make console and PC gaming so popular.
But there is a way forward for mobile gaming — remote play and online streaming.
Those of you who have stuck with Google Stadia know the raw potential of streaming your favourite video games. And despite its staggering start to life, Stadia is showing it’s possible to run a game at 60FPS using only your internet connection.
And now the latest console generation is acknowledging this rich avenue, with the Xbox Series X introducing a fully realized remote play system. Which allows you to transfer any game installed on your console across to a compatible Android/IOS device
Need some more convincing? Techradar notes the Playstation’s new DualSense controller can connect to the latest mobile devices, so you don’t have to worry about unresponsive touchscreen controls anymore.
Now you have a viable and uniquely versatile way to play the biggest games online.
Taking a nostalgia trip with retro game emulators
As each console generation comes and goes, hundreds of beloved retro games are left by the wayside, rendered unplayable by endlessly advancing technology.
Whether we yearn for the intrepid adventures of 80s Zelda — or want to relive the comically bad E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, sometimes fancy new multiplayer games don’t succeed in transporting us back to the ignorant bliss of childhood.
Of course, some SNES/NES games are supported by Switch Online — and PlayStation Now boasts a smattering of classics from years gone by.
But let me ask you this: what happens when you can’t find the obscure title you’re looking for — or these old games start hindering the profits of corporate empires?
This is where retro game emulators come in to fill the void.
Online game emulators are the most reliable way to get a hit of nostalgia and tap into a vast library of retro video games. Here are some of the best platforms to play on:
- OpenEmu (macOS)
- Dolphin
- RetroArch (Windows)
Some emulators are tailored for specific consoles and others support multiple systems. So, it should be easy to find the game you’re looking for, no matter how obscure the niche.
But where emulators really have big companies beat is the price; most emulator options are completely free and don’t require you to make any lasting commitments.
If you miss the classics and just want to pick up and play, retro game emulators are the unique online experience you’ve been looking for.
Making traditional games more convenient
The world of videogames — with its seemingly infinite aura of popularity — hasn’t monopolized online gaming. The internet is a big place that caters to a variety of demands, so long as you know where to look.
Over the last decade or so, traditional gaming like bingo nights and the lottery have evolved to grasp the new levels of convenience provided by this period of the digital renaissance.
Formally games held back by their physical presence, these beloved pastimes demanded you be there in person to play them. But no more. Now the internet has expanded our horizons and changed the way we play classic games.
For example, national lotteries like the US Powerball and UK Lotto have opened the doors to an online — and therefore global — audience, allowing you to play from the comfort of home using sites such as Playhugelottos as well as bespoke apps you can find on your phone’s app store.
By letting players take part in the game from their own little online bubble, it makes the whole experience far more enjoyable and convenient.
No longer do you have to make the obligatory trip to your local kiosk to buy a ticket, instead, a few taps on your phone can do the same job.
So next time you want to play a more traditional (in-person) game but don’t have the time, check to see if you can take part online. There is certainly an audience for it, plus you can play on the move without having to reorganise your day.
Improving technology opened the curtains to endless possibility.
Nowadays, there are alternatives to whatever type of game is put in front of you.
And with so much choice it’s important to find a unique way to game online that suits you just right. From mobile gaming to convenient lottery draws, there is something out there for everyone.