If you think online games are just… games, then you need to think again.
In 2024, the popular online game Roblox generated a revenue of $3.6 billion. More shocking than Roblox’s annual revenue is its number of users. It has over 380 million monthly active users.
This is how serious the online gaming world is.
It is more than a bunch of kids playing games together. Online games cater to people of all ages and all walks of life. In fact, people have built their careers out of online games. Some earn money from competitive gaming, while others earn by live-streaming.
Let us discuss all about online games, what you need to jugar (play) online games, and the most popular online games.
What is Online Gaming?
Juegos en línea or online gaming is when you play video games over the internet. Unliked offline games, these games need the internet to function smoothly and allow you to connect with other players from around the world.
Online games are more than simple games like Pac-Man or Hangman and also include different genres and types. Some games are based on the sci-fi genre and have complete storylines, whereas others do not have storylines and just require the player to achieve game objectives to score.
What Are the Types of Online Gaming?
Roughly, online games are divided into the following types:
-
Massively Multiplayer Online Games:
These games have a grand scale that includes a whole world with its own dynamics.
MMO games have various genres like action, thriller, horror, and even romance. There are multiple other players, as suggested by the title, with whom you can interact or compete.
A popular example of an MMO is The World of Warcraft, which is set in a fantasy world where players can create a character and participate in exploration and quests.
-
Role-Playing Games
In RPG, you can role-play a certain character and are guided through a pre-determined storyline. The interaction in RPGs is rule-based and does not have room for jugador (player) creativity. As a character, you get to learn new skills and evolve as the story progresses.
A popular RPG is The Witcher, which also inspired a Netflix series of the same name and is set in a fantasy world of monsters and other mythical creatures.
-
Shooter Games
These games are an offshoot of action games and a popular type of online game. Shooter games include First-Person Shooter (FPS) games and Third-Person Shooter (TPS) games, depending on how the player experiences the action. These games feature specifically weapon-based combat, and winning or losing depends on the player’s ability.
Popular shooter games include Call of Duty and Valorant, which are available to play on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
-
Strategy Games
Unlike other games, strategy games require strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving.
Players manage resources like money, natural resources, arms, or other game-specific items to achieve game objectives. Strategy games can either be turn-based or real-time strategy, where player either takes turn or fulfill gaming duties simultaneously.
Popular examples include Civilization VI and Clash of Clans, in which one or more players compete against computer-based opponents to gain points.
-
Simulation Games
These games are simulations of the real world and mimic real-life activities like studying, parenting, working, etc. They have a non-linear progression and give the player freedom in their actions. Such games are very immersive as the outcome depends on the player’s actions. The Sims or Minecraft are popular simulation games.
What Equipment Do You Need To Start Online Gaming?
Online gaming has advanced so much that it is not as simple as pressing a few botones (buttons) to play. A good gaming experience requires a bunch of essentials to excel. Here are the things you need for a good online gaming experience:
A Good Internet Connection
A good internet can amplify your online gaming experience.
Online games need a reliable alta velocidad (high-speed) internet connection to connect you to the game servers. You can easily access all parts of the game, like graphics, environments, updates, etc. Moreover, low-latency internet connectivity ensures that data is sent and received in real time, without any lag, which is crucial for games like shooter games or multiplayer ones.
Also, make sure the internet connection comes with stellar customer support because if things go south during an intense gaming session, you need immediate support. In my case, the customer support for Spectrum Internet en español has never disappointed me. It is available 24/7 and quick to help.
A Gaming PC
While you can make do with your usual PC, the online game experience is definitely far better if you use a gaming PC.
By a gaming PC, I mean a PC with a multi-core CPU, a powerful GPU, and a good amount of RAM. These components allow your PC to handle the processing demands of online games.
The result? Smooth game play, with quick-loading graphics and super-immersive game play.
Responsive Gadgets
Gaming requires more than your skills. It also needs a highly responsive teclado (keyboard) and mouse for quicker input. This allows better game controls, super-accurate input, and lessens the chances of errors, and sends input quickly. These feats are crucial for complex competitive games, where the stakes are high.
Lastly, gaming-specific hardware also has better durability if you plan to game a lot.
All in all, online gaming has unlocked a new arena of entertainment. With technologies like Artificial Intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and cloud gaming, we can expect online gaming to improve more.
