The days when console video games on your favorite PlayStation or Xbox (depending on where your loyalties lie) ruled the gaming world are long gone. The new wave of PC-based online multiplayer games as well as the re-emergence of old classics like blackjack and online slots have shifted the focus in new directions. Here are the top three trends that will most likely see a boost in 2018.

 1. eSports

With more and more gamers getting involved all over the globe, it seems that eSports is here to stay – and possibly conquer the gaming world. The trend has been fuelled by the incredible success of online multiplayer games like League of Legends and Call of Duty that have seen their fanbase reach beyond expectations in recent years. It seems that everyone is online and playing with friends, as these games provide a much needed opportunity to socialize. No wonder that organized competitions in MOBA games (also known as eSports), usually played by professional gamers, gained quickly in popularity. Canada seems to be very invested in eSports, with national universities like the University of British Columbia having dedicated eSports teams that compete in LoL and Dota tournaments. And there is a lot at stake, too: for example, the sixth International Dota 2 tournament organized by Valve had a $20.7 million prize – $19.1 million of which were contributed by fans all across the world.

Source: Pexels

2. Online Casino Games

Casino games are always in fashion, as games of chance like roulette and poker have enthusiasts that never grow tired of them. In recent years, the casino industry got a wild boost by tapping into the online gaming market. Many online casinos have benefited massively from the development of the greatest games from Microgaming, a casino software developer powerhouse that was established in 1994 and has been supplying clients with games that really set them apart in terms of layout, concept and graphics, contributing to the appeal that online casino games have to gamers. They have old classics like baccarat, craps and poker, but they specialise in online slots, with the latest trend being progressive jackpot slots with potential earnings in the millions. Statistics show that more and more gamers prefer to play on their mobile devices, so games like online slots, which are easy to play and are available on smartphones and tablets, are among those expected to grow even more in the next years.

Source: Pexels

3. Virtual Reality

Much like online casinos have reinvented old classics like blackjack, so has virtual reality shown great promise in turning old favorites into instant hits. The most defining moment was, of course, the unprecedented success of Pokémon Go, which had gamers frantically search the streets in the hopes of capturing their favorite Pokémon and tapped into nostalgia for the popular anime series. VR shows great promise in the gaming world: 58% of regular gamers who have tried VR before state that they intend to play VR games and 40% are likely to purchase VR in the upcoming year. The possibilities for the technology are endless, so it remains to be seen how developers will put it to good use.

Source: Pexels

Worry not though, it seems that your favorite PC and console games aren’t going anywhere anytime soon – the gaming community is getting bigger by the day and there is room for all sorts of gaming experiences.

Carl Williams

It is time gaming journalism takes its rightful place as proper sources and not fanboys giving free advertising. If you wish to support writers like Carl please use the links below. https://www.paypal.me/WCW https://www.patreon.com/CarlWilliams