As one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, gaming has attracted millions of new users in recent years. Part of the appeal of gaming is its versatility as increasing internet connectivity and the ubiquity of smartphones means that gamers never need to be more than a couple of clicks away from their favourite game.
The widespread availability of a huge variety of apps means that there are games to suit any player, including:
- Strategy
- Adventure
- First-person shooters
- Role-playing
- Puzzle
- Racing
- Casino
- Platform
- Simulation
- Survival
Many games are now accessible online, with even casino games making the transition and turning into a digital video game. Pokies games are one of the most successful online casino games with numerous pokies sites offering games accessible on mobile apps, one of the most popular forms of online gaming.
This variety of online gaming opened up a huge new market of players that can now play their favourite games in their preferred format. Gamers can opt for the convenience and portability of their smartphone, the incredible power and speed of their home gaming rig, or the mid-way compromise of a console.
Consoles versus phones
While some of the earliest gamers were console users, the evolution of gaming systems that can be plugged into a television has been swift and impressive. From the ground-breaking, but incredibly basic games of the 1970s and early 80s, today’s consoles contain technology that couldn’t even be considered in their predecessors’ time.
Players can now take their expertly designed controllers with them wherever they go, making them just as portable as a phone, but with the playing power of a minicomputer. Players can choose from a wide selection of games, play with friends or on their own, and enjoy all the benefits of a portable computer with the added convenience of super-smart technology.
Mobile phones are a relatively recent addition to the world of gaming, only really coming into their own after the ever-popular snake gave early Nokias a degree of credibility as a gaming medium. Phone users and gamers were so enthusiastic about the ability to play a game on their phones that an industry erupted almost out of nowhere.
Mobile gaming design and development attracts some of the brightest and best minds, and the popularity of mobile gaming has even had an impact on mobile phone design. No longer are gamers forced to compromise between their gaming and the practical needs of a phone user as gamers can now choose phones designed with them in mind.
Gamers can now have an extra large screen with an excellent refresh rate to make the graphics on their games really pop. With additional buttons on the shoulders of gaming phones, they become a much more effective controller, and many also boast excellent battery life and good cooling systems to avoid losing power at crucial moments.
Which is best?
As is so often the case when it comes to making a definitive judgement: it depends. The answer will depend on the player, the game, the device, and the situation.
If you are out and about doing the crossword on your commute, trying to win your fortune with casino games on your lunch break, and planning a night of gaming with your friends, then a good gaming phone can be perfect. You have all the functionality required to get everything you need done on a single device.
Hardcore gamers can opt for phones that prioritise the most important features for gaming to make the experience as good as it can be. This can be the ideal way to maximise your gaming time without saddling yourself with an additional device to carry around, charge, and keep track of.
There may be games that are not available, limited for mobiles, or just harder to play on a mobile phone, but this is usually balanced out by the flexibility and convenience of being able to game on the go.
Consoles have their place for gamers as well, so those that are happy to dedicate a bit of space and time to their gaming can really benefit from the impressive capabilities of the latest consoles.
From crystal clear graphics to super well-designed touch screens and incredibly advanced controller options, console design is getting more and more immersive even from the smallest devices. If you want a night of fun with your friends, hooking up to a multiplayer game on a console is a great way to share an excellent gaming experience.
The market is trending towards more multiplayer games, with the recent Nintendo Switch offering the Joy-Con which can be divided into two mini controllers and allows up to eight players to play the same game. Console gaming is also great for kids that don’t need the other features of a phone, providing hours of fun that can be easily adapted to be suitable for small children.
Whatever your situation, if you often find yourself wishing that you had a phone that was better suited to gaming, or a console to play on with friends, then it might be time to consider expanding your gaming repertoire.
