In countries like Canada, which have an advanced economy, strong internet infrastructure, and high levels of disposable income, gaming is an incredibly popular hobby. This is because the ease of access, extensive choice of options, and low costs make playing games on consoles, computers, and smart devices an attractive prospect, even to people who may not have previously been interested.
In recent years, smartphones and tablets have made it easier and more convenient for first-time gamers to start experimenting with this interactive form of entertainment. Game developers have also been more creative in the genres, mechanics, and monetization methods, helping to make their content appeal to more than just the stereotypical gamer demographic of men under 30.
Here in North America, around half of us play games, but that means another half of us are yet to give it a go. If you’re in that second category but you’re considering taking up the hobby and seeing what all the fuss is about, then you might be wondering the best way to go about it. If you are, here are some of the factors you might want to consider.
What Type of Games Do You Find Interesting?
Not all games are the same. A simple puzzle title like Wordle is very different from a battle royale shooter like Fortnite or PUBG. The people that enjoy one may not necessarily like the other, so it’s important that you consider what types of games you find interesting.
If you have no idea where to start, speak to some of your game-playing friends to ask for recommendations. Since they know about your tastes, they can take this into consideration. Alternatively, check in the online marketplace of whichever device you plan to play on.
On smartphones and tablets, this will most likely be the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, both of which have around a million different options for you to choose from. On consoles, you’ll find the manufacturer’s own store from its navigational interface.
It’s a little different on PC though since there are multiple sources you can get your games from. One of the most popular choices is Steam because it has such a diverse collection, though you might prefer looking for browser-based games on sites like Miniclip or in online casinos.
Read Up a Bit on How to Play Your Chosen Title
Once you’ve picked a game or two to play, you might want to dive straight in and try to figure it out on your own. For many people, this is often the best way to experiment with a game to see if they like it or not. Most titles are quite intuitive and often contain a tutorial level or some instructions on the screen to help you find your feet.
If you prefer to do a bit more research first or you want to learn about the different playing strategies, then you can look online for guides to help you with this. For example, if you’re thinking of playing video slots in an online casino, guides can help you understand key elements like RTPs and pick up some of the common lingo you find in these games. The same is true for titles like Minecraft, with thousands of video tutorials and text-based guides that can explain the different game modes and how to start building.
Consider What Device You want to Play On
In the past, there was a very clear distinction between games that could be played on a smartphone or tablet and ones that worked on computers and consoles. Today, the line between them has become blurred and will, one day, likely disappear altogether.
That said, there are still some big differences between these different platforms. This means that there are several different factors worth considering when deciding on which type of device you want to play on.
One of the biggest is the cost. PC gaming is generally the most expensive, though it may not cost you a thing if you already own a computer and you don’t want to play AAA blockbusters. Console gaming is usually cheaper, though it can still cost you hundreds upfront and just as much again if you want to buy several games.
Mobile gaming is much cheaper. Chances are you already own a smartphone and/or tablet, so provided it was released in the last five or so years, it should be able to handle most mobile games.
You’ll then also need to decide where and when you want to play. If you’re only interested in gaming on your sofa at home, then you can choose just about any device, but if you want to play while on the bus, then you’ll need to choose a smartphone or tablet.