Console and online games have only been around for decades rather than centuries. These games could only exist when people had access to the technology to play them and it was the 90s and 00s that saw most people have access to the internet and other devices that they could use to play these games.
We don’t always think about the long history behind some of the games. Many of them are actually rooted in games invented long before the internet. Some of them are basically the same game but just played via a digital interface – most chess games now take place online but this is a game with an incredible (and centuries-long) history.
Casino Games
Casino games are one of the oldest forms of structured gaming still widely played today. Games of chance have existed for thousands of years with evidence of dice games dating back to ancient Mesopotamia and China. Card games became popular in medieval Europe and by the 19th and 20th centuries, structured casino games had spread all over the world.
Casino gaming is more accessible than ever, thanks to online casinos and digital versions of classic games. Slots were once mechanical machines operated with levers but they are now played using online interfaces and have transformed into digital and interactive experiences.
A lot of online casino games have designs that are very faithful to the original table games that they are based on. Think of the way a poker interface or a blackjack interface might work and you’ll see that they are based on the games from prior centuries with the traditional green gaming tables in some instances.
Even with modern twists like crypto-based gambling and new games, the foundation remains deeply connected to historic gambling traditions. The shift to online play hasn’t changed the core appeal of these games as they still often have similar (or identical) rules to before they were taken online.
The huge number of slot games out there has changed the way casino games work. It is sometimes hard to believe these have evolved from the original games that did not include anything digital!
Strategy Games
One of the most enduring gaming genres is strategy games. It has its roots in centuries-old board games. Chess dates back over 1,500 years and is a prime example. Originally developed in India before spreading across Persia and Europe, chess has always been a game of deep thinking and planning ahead.
The transition from physical chessboards to digital platforms was a natural one. Chess has remained relevant in the gaming world with AI-driven opponents as well as the chance to play humans online. It has also influenced entire genres of video games, from turn-based strategy titles like Civilization to complex real-time strategy games like Age of Empires (which is going through something of a renaissance).
Strategy gaming in the digital era has become far more expansive and introduced mechanics such as resource management. The influence of a lot of more modern console games like Fortnite with its battle royale mechanic has had an impact on the game genre but at its core, it still borrows heavily from ancient board games.
Board Games and Puzzle Games – A Digital Renaissance
A lot of people turned to board games and puzzles for entertainment before the video game revolution. Games like backgammon and checkers have existed for centuries and many modern digital games are built on the same mechanics.
The puzzle game genre has exploded in popularity on mobile platforms – remember the way Wordle took the world by storm? Simple mechanics have been reimagined in countless ways to help keep the spirit of classic tabletop games alive and these appeal to a lot of players. One thing that puzzle games have over others is the fact that they have options for people to play quickly online rather than have to worry too much about playing a super long game of Monopoly that could last for 5 hours!
Board game adaptations have also found a new home online, with digital versions of Monopoly and many other games allowing players to enjoy them without needing a physical game board. The social aspect of board games has also transitioned well into digital spaces as online multiplayer enables friends and strangers to play together no matter where they are. People can also find strangers to play against through their apps if they want to (no more pestering the family for a game of Risk).
Conclusion
There are more options than ever for players and some of the genres could not have been predicted. Think of the way that the battle royale genre has grown! But there is still a lot of room in the industry for the sorts of games that people have played for centuries…