In the beginning
The online gaming industry is one of the success stories of recent times. In the not-too-dim and distant past, people who liked to play video games had to have all kinds of special kits and gadgets. For a start, you needed a dedicated console or PC to play any games.
Photo by Nicolas Perez on Unsplash
Then there were the games themselves which had to be bought. Originally on the cartridge and then disk, there was no chance of playing a demo version. So if you wanted to play on the go, you needed to buy a portable gaming device. In addition, most games could not be played cross-platform and many games were tied to the hardware. Therefore, serious gamers might have to have had several consoles just to play the selection of games they wanted to play.
Casual gaming does not need specialist equipment
Online gaming exists in a very different environment. While it may have its roots in the video gaming of yesteryear, the delivery is entirely different. Cloud-based gaming means anyone can download or stream a game to whichever device they play on. For many people, the only gaming device they have is their smartphone. With their big screens, incredible processing power, and superior connectivity, smartphones easily double up as mobile gaming devices.
Without needing to buy any additional equipment, there are lots of games that can be played using your smartphone or existing laptop computer. For example, there is an excellent choice in the AppStore or Google PlayStore. Some of these games are trimmed-down versions of games for larger screens, and others are stand-alone games in their own right.
Online casino gaming
People who enjoy playing online casino games are in for a treat; there is such a great selection to choose from. Whether people love to play online, slots, poker, or roulette, apps and websites have been optimized to ensure a great gaming experience, whatever device is used for play. Several states in the US and provinces in Canada have opened regulated online casino markets. Look out for the relevant licenses when accessing these sites. If anything goes wrong, you then have the back of the license issuer to help you resolve any issues.
While you do not need any specialist tech to enjoy the iGaming experience, there are a few tips to bear in mind if you are playing on your smartphone at a real money casino.
- Always ensure you are playing on a secure network, not a public one. If you play on a public network, you could find your data and personal details become compromised.
- Make sure you can get a stable, uninterrupted connection. You do not want to lose your connection just at the moment you are about to win big, do you?
- Try out demos of the games before you play so you know how they work and that the game plays well on your phone.
- Check you can see all the controls on your screen; you do not want to find that ‘fat-thumbs’ have accidentally played a move you did not mean to make.
Live dealer games might need a bit more tech to make the experience even better. While most games are optimized for smaller screens, playing on a static device might make it an even more enjoyable experience. You also need to make sure you have mastered the rules before placing real money bets. You can bet your bottom dollar that other players will understand the etiquette.
Extras to enhance your gaming experience
While a laptop or smartphone is more than sufficient for most games out there, a more dedicated player might want to add some extra bells and whistles to enhance their overall gaming experience. So if you fancy splashing out on a few peripheral items, here are some you might like to add to your Wishlist.
Headphones and mic
For an immersive gaming experience, digital headphones and microphones are a good option. Not only do they enhance your gaming environment, but they make communication with your teammates much more effortless. You can chat and strategize during gameplay. If you intend to use Twitch or Discord, then they are vital pieces of kits.
Bluetooth or wired?
Wireless options give you the greatest flexibility, offer cutting-edge sound quality, and are easy to use. You will find that they are compatible with most devices too. Of course, it goes without saying that if you are considering getting a microphone and headphones, you will need to ensure you already have an excellent basic kit like a good mouse, keyboard, and joystick or controller. However, you will have a significantly enhanced gaming experience if you have all these elements.
Choosing a screen
When it comes to tech, you need to consider your screen or screens seriously. While a standard monitor is ok for working and casual gaming, some state-of-the-art screens can draw you right in and put you front and center of the action.
Considering VR
The ultimate immersive gaming experience is delivered via virtual reality, and for that, you will need to consider purchasing a headset. However, that is a big decision and is not in any way necessary unless you decide that is the route you want to go down.
Look at the different platforms
However, what is essential for a great gaming experience is to ensure that you are signed up for a platform that lets you try out and download the games you want to play. Some of the gaming platforms require you to have a PC or gaming console, so unless you are looking for a smartphone or hyper-casual gaming, you are going to need to invest in some basic kit.
Account set up
Before getting started playing, you will also need to create an account on the relevant platform. If this is an online casino, you will need to provide proof of residency and age. Before you can start playing for real money, you will probably need to make a deposit unless you can find a no-deposit bonus code. For non-gambling gameplay, you will need to set up a subscription on the relevant platform and approve monthly payments. Next, check out what games are available and select a payment option you can afford. When those steps are completed, you will be able to try, download or stream the library of games on offer.
If you decide to progress into the world of more serious online gaming, you must make all kinds of decisions about networks and whether to use a VPN, but that is all for another article.
Comment Policy
Your words are your own, so be nice and helpful if you can. Please, only use your REAL NAME, not your business name or keywords. Using business name or keywords instead of your real name will lead to the comment being deleted. Anonymous commenting is not allowed either. Limit the amount of links submitted in your comment. We accept clean XHTML in comments, but don't overdo it please. You can wrap code in [lang-name][/lang-name] tags.