The combination of “live” and the World Wide Web was likely always going to be a winning combination. Games played live and online are popular everywhere, and South Africa is no exception. After all, there are many benefits to gaming. Let’s examine three of the most successful types of live online games today.
MMOs
For anyone who needs convincing on the popularity of MMOs, they need look no further than the genre’s flagship game, World of Warcraft (2004). Even as far back as 2014, Blizzard announced that the game had seen 100 million accounts been opened over the game’s lifetime. One of the most appealing aspects of MMOs is the social experience.
There’s often a sense of community with MMO games, whether among real-world friends or simply those gamers have met while playing. In fact, there have even been cases of marriage after meeting in games like World of Warcraft and RuneScape (2001). Experiences like that, while not an everyday occurrence, are unique to MMO.
Live casinos
Live casino games are becoming more popular thanks to the numerous benefits they offer. As a result of advanced technologies, players can experience an authentic way of playing popular table games as they’re played in real-time, just like in a brick-and-mortar casino. Online casino gaming services are incredibly accessible due to them being playable on websites that are both user-friendly and easy to navigate.
A number of them, such as the likes of Casino.com, have also developed online platforms for live online games that are suitable for mobile devices. This particular casino also offers 100 free spins for first-time deposits, giving users a chance to get to grips with the live games. It’s easy to see how users who start playing live casino games online would no longer see the appeal in getting dressed up to go out to a real-world casino.
Twitch
Millions of video game fans are enjoying watching others play online each day. Amazon’s game streaming website Twitch.tv (acquired by Amazon for $1bn in 2017) boasts 100 million monthly users. The entertainment website, which features leading titles such as Fortnite, even ranks above prime-TV with regards to viewership, according to web data site Thinknum. There’s also a greater assortment of games being played. Twitch used to be home to a few hundred DOTA streamers Now it’s the playground of puzzlers, adventures, RPGs, shooters, and classic games. Twitch stars are fast becoming the new pop stars, including these up-and-coming South African streamers.
Game streaming is so popular that other forms are trying to replicate the success that Twitch has had. YouTube Gaming channel, which, while has some way to go to catch up with Twitch, saw a 343% rise in its streamer base in 2017, according to TechCrunch. Microsoft meanwhile, is also trying to cash in with Mixer, and Xbox One and Windows 10 feature integrated streaming tools, allowing gamers to start broadcasting in a matter of seconds.
The variety of titles in live online games is astounding, with new releases being scheduled almost daily. This means that there’s almost certain to be something to appeal to even the most casual gamer. What’s more, most are either free or offer a free trial, so there’s nothing to lose by giving them a try.
