Are you getting curious about video games? Games are filling our world, creeping in at the edges, and a lot of people who have never gamed before are finding themselves interested in how they can engage with this ultra-fun pastime. The pandemic certainly gave this a boost, but games have been popular for decades – and we can pretty much guarantee they aren’t going away.
If you’re contemplating why that should be, there’s a pretty simple explanation: games are fun. Games are also enormously varied. Games can fit basically any preferences and criteria. No wonder esports is so big…
Got hundreds of hours free and looking to fill them up? You’ll find in-depth narratives as detailed as any novel you can pick out. Just gotten minutes while you wait for a bus or between meetings at work. There are all kinds of low-investment, low-time options out there. Games are made for pretty much every person, every taste, every situation. And that’s great news if you’d like to get into gaming yourself!
So, where are you starting?
Tip 1) Find Your Genre
You may have guessed from the above – but in case not, it’s critical to realize just how many kinds of games there are. A list would span several pages! Puzzles, shooters, racers, platformers, rogue-likes, roleplaying games, mobile online battle arenas, adventures, point-and-click, rhythm-based, casino, and more. There really is almost nothing that hasn’t been thought up in terms of genre now, and that means you can have a lot of fun.
For most of us, there’s not just one genre that’s fun. The range is what makes gaming so enjoyable. When you’re just getting into gaming, trying out a few different genres can be the way to go – you’ll likely find that it takes a while to figure out exactly what you enjoy, but as soon as you find a couple of titles you like, you can begin narrowing it down.
Think about the general themes as you do this so you can get insights into what you enjoy – like whether you enjoy playing with time limits, or whether strategy is your thing. Do you like games that give you bonuses and a sense of reward as you play? If so, games like Candy Crush could be for you, or you might even enjoy checking out digital casino games, whether you opt for card games like blackjack or go for something luck-based like slots. Some people enjoy both! If you check out a Litecoin casino online, you can start playing with crypto too.
Casino games have some pretty major advantages if you’re just looking for quick games that will fit into whatever time slots you’ve got – most are pretty flexible. They’re also easy to learn and dip into and out of, so you can engage with them on your terms. If they don’t appeal, though, there are plenty of other options.
Basic card games like solitaire and FreeCell might float your boat, or maybe you’d prefer to get into something slightly trickier. Games like Minecraft can be great, especially if you turn it to peaceful mode so you’ve got no zombie worries; you can just wander around finding your gaming legs. There are plenty of other games too, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Tips 2) Find Gaming Communities
Gaming can be a bit daunting at times and while tons of gamers are friendly, not all gaming communities are welcoming to the “noobs” as you might find yourself called. But there are tons of beginner-friendly places out there! Just search for those specifically, and you should soon have places you can go with your questions.
A community can be super helpful in a ton of ways: it’s really useful to have others you can bounce ideas off in terms of strategy and approach, and it’s also just nice to socialize. After all, one of gaming’s main joys is the connection it can bring (well, for many of us – some prefer to stay solitary). Getting to know others who enjoy the same games as you do is great.
And what’s more, when you’re stuck on an ultra-frustrating bit of the game that you just can’t crack – whether that’s figuring out the strategy for a boss, finding a loot box, getting a jump just right, or something else – your community can be a great place to turn. Plus, they’ll be able to offer other info about gaming too – top tips on new releases or hidden gems, information and advice on gaming gear, and thoughts on what-not-to-buy when something doesn’t quite live up to expectations.
Having a gaming community is one of the best parts of being a gamer for a lot of people – so don’t undervalue it.