The online gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing industries across the globe. By 2019, there were more than 2.5 billion active gamers around the world.
That’s an impressive billion more than there was the five years previous. And with so many different types of games to choose from, with what feels like countless different genres and niches of games, the industry continues to appeal to a wider audience every single year. But what are the most popular games online and how are people playing them?
The top online games
Where playing games with friends once meant inviting them over to your home and crowding around a couch, most multiplayer games are now done online.
This can be with friends but strangers too — with a global audience there’s likely to be a huge number of players online at any time of day or night.
Some games, like puzzles for example, are more likely to be played solo and be accessed via a mobile, where other games, like action shooter games, are more likely to be multiplayer. And of course, played on a popular console.
Here are a few of the top games people are playing online.
Apex Legends
The release of this game came as a shock to fans of Developer Respawn Entertainment. Unannounced, it became a viral hit.
This battle royale game was a huge leap for the genre, with teams of three being able to communicate using a revolutionary ping system, put forward regrouping locations, and tag enemies.
This game is well suited to console and multiplayer, and available for Xbox One, PS4 as well as PC.
Minecraft
Minecraft took the online gaming world by storm. The construction game is all about survival, where players harvest resources to tame the wilderness and create a home.
It’s a fantastically creative game that’s available for PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch — with mobile options for iOS and Android.
Minecraft is now accessible via handheld devices as well as the traditional desktop.
Online slots
The internet boom had a huge impact on almost every sector. This includes, of course, casinos and casino games.
Many people are now playing their favorite casino games online, on both desktop and mobile.
This is especially true of online slots, which have grown in popularity due to their variety of themes and attractiveness, as well as the speed at which they can be played.
Fortnite
Another game that’s become an instant sensation is Fornite. This battle royale game involves 100 players dropped into a large map.
With an ever-shrinking safe zone, players need to fight to the death until there’s one left standing. It’s also another great game for creativity, as players can build fortresses and structures.
There is load so many exciting new features every season which means that there’s always something to look forward to or get better at. And it’s available across multiple devices.
A Way Out
For those that love multiplayer co-op games, A Way Out is a great one to try. Developed by Hazelight Studios, you play with another as two prisoners trying to break out of prison.
It’s a fantastic game to play with a friend or family member with an excellent storyline to boot.
This game is available for PC, PS4, and Xbox one — so not an option if you’re looking for a mobile game.
A lot of games are accessible on console devices like Xbox and PlayStation.
League of Legends
Once the most popular game in the world, League of Legends contains different maps including the standard 5v5, three lanes as well as a two-lane 3v3 map, a single-lane map, and special limited events.
There are over 130 characters which means you’ll find one that suits you best and keeps players from being bored.
This is strictly a PC game.
Forza Horizon 4
For fans of race car games, there’s nothing better than the Forza Horizon 4.
Available for PC and Xbox One, this racing game is a perennially online racer split into seasons that affect track conditions.
There are so many races and challenges as part of online play, with you, can do with friends or strangers.
GTA Online
A mode in GTA 5 from the popular franchise by Rockstar Games, this game is a playground to live out your fantasy life as a super criminal.
If you’re into playing heist games with illegal operations or living out expensive luxuries — this is the game for you. Available for PC as well as consoles like PS4 and Xbox One.
The future of online gaming
It’s likely that gaming, especially online, is here to stay. Statistics from Spotify show that streaming on game consoles went up fifty percent over 2020 compared to 2019 — there was also a forty-seven percent jump in gamers streaming between 6 AM and 9 AM.
The release of the popular PS5 recently, with exciting new games like Cyberpunk, has continued to push the industry forward.
It’s likely that gaming companies will continue to develop new consoles and games through various innovations like VR and AR — and try and get a piece of the revenue from this quickly growing marketplace.
No one can predict exactly what will happen over the next few years when it comes to online gaming. But the future of the industry is looking bright.
