We’ve come a long way from playing basic games on TV screens and black & white mobile phones to 3D online games with impressive graphics and realistic game physics. It is all because of the advancements in technology that online gaming is now at our fingertips, and we can play at our convenience with friends or random players around the world.
Online games are all about fun and entertainment but are also garnering massive attention owing to the real money-earning games. While RMG games have their advantages, one also needs to be cautious while playing games online for cash.
Here’s a small guide on online gaming that entails what online gaming really is, the benefits and risks of online games, some of the best multiplayer online games, and a few essential tips for beginners.
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What is online gaming?
Online gaming refers to playing games over the internet that incorporate virtual worlds consisting of numerous players simultaneously. Online games are widely popular amongst children and young adults who use mobile devices or games consoles to play games. These games facilitate gamers in playing against or with other players through a computer network, mainly over the internet.
Online gaming caters to a diverse range of interests such as sports games, action games, card games, mission-based games, quiz games, quests, and more. Completing challenges and connecting with online players thrill players. Moreover, the introduction of fun elements such as leaderboards and tournaments satiate the adrenaline rush that most players seek while playing online games.
Online Gaming Trends
Online games are played on multiple devices such as smartphones, PCS, tablets, and consoles such as the PlayStation and Xbox. Here are the most popular gaming trends preferred by gamers while playing online:
Mobile Apps
Playing games on mobile apps is perhaps the most popular multiplayer online gaming medium. Most mobile gaming apps available on Play Store or App Store offer free games and real money games that can be played with friends and random opponents. Millions of people around the world have at least one online gaming app on their smartphones. These massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) connect players across different regions through features such as in-game chat in the virtual world. The popular mobile gaming platforms feature numerous games such as Rummy, Poker, Fantasy sports, Chess, Ludo, and many other games in the arcade, action, puzzle, sports, cards, and racing categories.
eSports
eSports is essentially competitive video gaming that has a spectator element involved. Although eSports has been around for a long time, it is only now that gamers are recognizing it due to the advancements in technology that have made it accessible for players to play with a larger pool of players in the world. The eSports tournaments include amateur and professional gamers who compete against each other for a cash prize.
Web Games
Many websites offer web-based games that don’t require players to download a mobile app. Most of the games offered by online sites can be played free of charge but may involve paid-for components. These gaming sites are popular amongst gamers as they offer an immersive experience through massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Many websites even offer popular mobile games such as Poker and Rummy for a wider-screen experience.
Consoles
The next trending gaming devices to play online games are the PS, Xbox, and Nintendo consoles. These consoles are designed to work with televisions and connect to the internet. Players can purchase and download games on these devices, including purchases content for particular games. Some of the most popular console games include God of War, Final Fantasy, Grand Theft Auto, and Call of Duty.
PC
As evident, PC games are played on a personal computer just like any other software program. Players can download numerous games for free with an option to purchase additional features. Many of these computer games use the internet to offer Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games that enable players to interact in virtual spaces.
Augmented Reality
The next big thing in the online gaming universe is augmented reality. AR games offer an altered real-world view that includes moveable graphics, enabling a realistic gaming experience for players. Popular games such as Pokemon Go are designed on the concept of augmented reality. Essentially, the AR games are played using the camera of a mobile device.
Handheld Consoles
Handheld consoles offer games on portable consoles that are also enabled through the internet. Players can download games and purchase additional features on these devices as well. The handheld consoles were quite a thing a few years back; however, with the advanced software technology-enabled mobile gaming apps, they are gradually losing their popularity.
What are the risks involved in online gaming?
Online games offer hours of entertainment, are a fun way to spend time, and aid in developing necessary skills. However, there may be a few occasional risks involved that every user should be wary of. Avoiding such risks aids in a more safe and positive gaming experience. Here are two of the most important risks that gamers should take measures against:
Online Games Addiction
Playing games online often leads to addiction as people spend long hours playing different games. This becomes a major concern, especially when a person is playing cash games. Gaming addiction can have severe impacts on one’s mental and physical health. Therefore, one must practice responsible gaming measures while playing online. Applying time limits, deposit limits, and taking breaks are some of the measures players must adopt to avoid the risk of gaming addiction.
Interaction With Strangers
As online gaming also involves interacting with other unknown players, it may lead to social networking. While connecting with players within a game may help develop certain skills, players must limit their social interaction within the games and avoid giving out personal details.
What are the benefits of playing online games?
Online games teach key life skills and are a great mental workout. These games enhance creativity, improve strategic and logical thinking, and help develop early learning skills amongst children. The benefits are immense. Let’s take a look at some of the top benefits of online games:
Mental Workout
Various studies prove that various games such as puzzles, quizzes, strategy-based games, and skill-based games are a good workout for the brain and boost brain health. They stimulate the brain muscles and improve memory.
Better Social Skills
Sociable online games facilitate better social skills as players interact with other online players and develop gaming skills.
Problem-Solving Skills
Strategy-based and mission-based games improve the problem-solving skills of gamers irrespective of age. Most games on mobile apps are fast-paced which require quick decisions to defeat the opponent. Such games help develop and improve various skills.
Stress Buster
Millions of people play games to unwind after a long, tiring day. Playing with friends or random opponents is a source of stress reduction as it offers entertainment, a challenging gaming environment, and facilitates a social connection.
Earning Real Money
Perhaps, one of the top reasons gamers enjoy online games is the opportunity to win real cash prizes. Numerous online mobile games and eSports offer cash contests and tournaments that reward winners with cash prizes.
Top Online Games To Play on Mobile in 2021
Fantasy Sports
Fantasy sports are an important segment of trending online mobile games. They offer gamers an opportunity to participate in real-world sports like cricket, football, basketball, baseball, etc. The players get to build their virtual teams by picking players from the real game. Players score points based on the performance of their team in the live match.
Fantasy Cricket
A player can participate in various popular cricket leagues and tournaments like IPL, WTC, ODI, CPL, and more through fantasy cricket. Build your fantasy cricket team based on multiple factors and watch the performance of your players. Players can win cash prizes based on their rankings on the leaderboard.
Fantasy Basketball
Basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Fantasy basketball offers gamers a chance to participate in leagues like NBA, EuroLeague, NBL, NZNBL, NBLC, and more. The gameplay of building teams and scoring points based on players’ performances remains similar to fantasy cricket and fantasy football.
Fantasy Football
Football fanatics can manage their own team by picking the best players from two competing clubs and stand a chance to win from the prize pool. Fantasy football includes renowned leagues such as La Liga, Copa America, Ligue One, English Premier League, etc.
Card Games
Card games have a separate fan base altogether. From beginners to players with immense experience, the popularity of card games is similar amongst players of varied skill levels and age groups. Some of the popularly played card games worldwide are as follows:
Rummy
The rummy card game is a popular game that requires each player to group their 13 cards in valid sets and sequences and be the first to declare. Some of the most played rummy variants include Indian Rummy variants like Points Rummy, Deals Rummy, and Pool Rummy. Rummy is a 2 to 6 players card game played on 2 to 6-player tables.
Poker
Similar to rummy, the popularity of poker is growing tremendously. The poker card game is popular for Texas Hold’em, and Omaha variants played between 2 to 6 players. Poker rules and gameplay is relatively difficult to understand for beginners as compared to other card games.
Call Break
Call Break, a variation of Spades, is an easy and fun card game with simple rules. This trick-taking multiplayer game is played between four players that are required to win tricks by playing cards strategically. At the end of five rounds, the player with the highest points is declared the winner of the call break game.
Board Games
Gamers of all ages have loved board games since time immemorial. The fun board games like carrom and ludo played on traditional boards have now transitioned into the online gaming universe. These games have become fast-paced, involving a time element.
Carrom
Carrom is a fast-paced board game played between 2 to 4 players. The professional online carrom game is generally played between two players with the objective to be the first player to pot their coins along with the queen. Most online gaming platforms provide access to free and cash contests for carrom.
Ludo
Online ludo is usually played between 2 to 4 players with the objective of racing all four tokens from the starting point to the home triangle by rolling a dice. Each player gets a time limit to roll the dice, or the turn passes to the next player. This fun board game can be played for free on a gaming app.
Speed Chess
Speed chess is a fast-paced version of the traditional chess game that involves a timer. Each player is given about 3 minutes to play the game and is rewarded with bonus time for every move. The objective is to checkmate the opponent before the timer ends. The element of a timer adds to the fun of playing chess and offers an adrenaline rush.
Other Casual Games
Mobile gaming apps offer numerous games ranging from arcade games to action, racing, adventure, puzzle, quiz, and brain games. Some of the fun casual games that you can play online are:
Sudoku
Sudoku is a math puzzle game ranging from easy to difficult levels. The objective of the game is to fill the blank squares in the 9×9 grid with numbers from 1 to 9. However, no number can be repeated in a particular row, the corresponding column, and the 3×3 box. Online sudoku is fun to play owing to the timer and simultaneous competition against a random opponent.
8 Ball Pool
One of the most entertaining cue sports, the online 8 ball pool game, is played against an opponent with the objective of potting the assigned object balls and being the first one to finish by potting the 8 ball in the end. One can also play 8 ball pool tournaments and cash contests on gaming apps.
WCC2
WCC2 is a trending mobile cricket game for cricket fanatics. The game offers realistic game physics, numerous batting shots, bowling actions, and other exciting features. One can choose from the multiple cricket formats and tournaments like IPL, Test cricket, ODI, World Cup, etc., and play in a 1v1 or 1vN multiplayer mode against other online opponents.
Fruit Dart
A game that is enjoyed by children and adults alike, Fruit Dart is a fun game with the objective of slicing the fruits that pop up on the screen by throwing knives. The knives are released with a tap of the finger and the player scores points for every fruit sliced. The occasional bombs add to the thrill of the game as the game ends if the knife touches a bomb.
Bubble Shooter
Bubble Shooter is a vibrant arcade game that involves popping the bubbles by matching three or more bubbles of the same color. The objective is to keep bursting the bubbles and prevent the bubbles from reaching the bottom of the screen before the timer ends. The game also comes with different powerups to increase the score.
Tips for the amateur online players
Online games are fun and thrilling when playing with friends, family, or other online players. However, players, particularly beginners, must practice responsible gaming measures and monitor their gaming behavior due to online gaming risks. Here are a few tips for new as well as experienced online players to keep a check and control while playing online:
Learn the game
The availability of multiple games can be overwhelming when deciding which game to play. There are many popular games that are hyped, but you must choose to play the game you know well. For instance, you may want to participate in poker tournaments because everyone around you seems to be playing the game, but you have never played the game before. However, rather than directly entering the cash contests with your friends, you must first learn the game’s basics. When starting with a new game, it’s best to learn the basics, rules, and gameplay before entering cash games. Practice the game multiple times to gain the necessary skills and confidence. Stick to the beginner levels and gain sufficient experience before moving on to the advanced levels.
Take enough breaks
Games are entertaining and, therefore, can also be addictive. Many games require progress in terms of levels to unlock features and rewards, which compels the players to continue playing in the quest of unlocking levels. Playing for long hours at a stretch can have adverse impacts on our physical and mental health. One must take regular breaks from the game to avoid spending a lot of time and maintain a healthy balance between gaming and other life activities.
Set limits
Particularly cash games need to be played with extra precautions. Cash games can get very addictive when a player is either winning or losing money. It is best to set time and deposit limits on the games where one notices such behavior. Most online gaming apps offer various tools for adopting responsible gaming measures, and you must take complete advantage of such tools.
Keep emotions aside
Always remember your intent of playing any game – we play for enjoyment, leisure, and entertainment purposes. Getting emotions involved while gaming can be devastating. You may end up losing multiple games and a hefty amount in the case of cash games and you might not get the leisure you were looking for in the first place. The sole purpose of playing online games should be to have new experiences, reduce stress, and have fun. Don’t let your emotions override the intent of gaming.
Digital gaming has its pros and cons – while on the one hand, it offers a mental workout, social interaction, entertainment, and other benefits, on the other hand, it can also have negative impacts if not played responsibly. Nevertheless, playing an online game is always fun and challenging, especially when competing with a real opponent to win cash prizes.
