Convenient and accessible forms of home entertainment have been on the rise for years across Ireland, with further enhancements to rural internet connections only helping to spur on the fad. This year, however, home-based digital entertainment has become a near necessity, with the trends in Ireland showing that more people than ever are turning to gaming for fun.
The past and present of gaming in Ireland
Ireland has long been associated with gaming. Not only are there several games industry businesses situated in and around Dublin, including Microsoft, but the nation has become intrinsically tied to one of the oldest forms of gaming.
Online casino gaming, particularly slot gaming, has surged in Ireland and around the world, with many of the most popular free slots featuring leprechauns, pots of gold, and rainbows. Games like Rainbow Riches Free Spins uphold large player bases, as do others like Cleopatra and 50 Lions. But recent surges have also been seen in video gaming and mobile gaming.
Video gaming industry surges
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Many reasons may have hindered people from diving into video gaming in previous years. Buying into a console is an expensive venture, the most prominent releases cost upwards of €50, and you tend to need a decent modern computer to run the mainline PC titles.
So, you need plenty of time and desire to buy into the platform. However, now, the industry has expanded so much that there’s a game to suit just about anyone, ranging from top-class casual games to in-depth racing and RPG titles.
In 2020, the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have been winding down in preparation for the next consoles, but the PS4 has still managed to win over Irish players with their late releases. Ghost of Tsushima, Persona 5: Royal, and Nioh 2.
The biggest winner, though, has been the Nintendo Switch. The handheld and home console hybrid has seen the likes of Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Ring Fit Adventure make headlines for their record-setting unit sales and the incredible demand to get the games.
Mobile gaming continues to dominate the market
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Mobile gaming is the primary form of games entertainment for most people, from dedicated gaming apps to the mobile platforms of online casinos. Smartphones are already very powerful, capable of running much better games than expected. The form of gaming will only become more appealing, too, with companies already rolling out models for the next generation of internet’s launch.
Already the biggest name in mobile gaming, Pokémon Go, made its exercise-encouraging, monster-catching app even more appealing. Since spring, Pokémon Go has run several new features which allow it to be played from home, such as by bringing in remote raids that can be played from anywhere.
It’s not just the long-standing favourites that have seen a surge in players, however. While the likes of Call of Duty: Mobile and 8 Ball Pool remain on the phones of many, it’s Among Us! that has surged in popularity. The online or local play game for between four and ten players sees one of them take on the role of the imposter, tasked with causing chaos while the others have to complete tasks and work out which one is the saboteur.
Gaming has become a go-to source of entertainment for people in Ireland, with the fad not likely to drop anytime soon – especially with the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 on the way.