Why Are Low-Tech Games Thriving in the Digital World?
Why Are Low-Tech Games Thriving in the Digital World?
Anyone predicting the future of gaming would do well to consider how low-tech games have thrived in the digital world. How does this work and what does it tell us about what to expect in the years to come?Â
A Convenient Way of Playing the Same Game
If we start by looking at bingo, this is a game that’s been popular for about a century. During the
Let’s start by looking at bingo, a game that’s been popular for about a century. During the majority of those 100 or so years, it was about as low-tech as possible. A ‘host’ would pull numbers out of a manually operated cage and the players would mark off the numbers as they were drawn.
The switch to online bingo has kept this mechanism in place but made it more convenient to play at any time and without leaving home. Games are typically divided into themed rooms, where the prizes and the cost of tickets are clearly stated in the games lobby. With the likes of free rooms and jackpot rooms, players can easily choose a way of playing that suits them.
Live Streaming of Big Games
Another way that long-established games have made a splash in the modern world is with the help of live streaming. This is a way for players to take on opponents from around the world, and it gives us a chance to watch the best players take part in huge tournaments.
We can see how this works by looking at chess games. In the past, it was relatively common for people to play others over long distances through the post. This type of correspondence meant that chess games could last for weeks or more. The current world record for postal chess involves two players who completed just 112 matches against each other over 53 years.
However, it’s now possible to stream major chess tournaments online, where players are sitting together or separated by huge distances. This helps the game reach a new audience and allows us all to watch the best players perform live.
Bringing Back the Social Aspect
Social play was the one aspect of classic games that probably seemed at risk due to the internet revolution. In the past, a game like Scrabble was an excuse to get together around a table with friends and family to create some words. The way we now consume so much digital entertainment might have seemed like the death knell for this sort of game, but that has been disproved.
Look online and you’ll find that there are now many ways to play Scrabble online using virtually any sort of device. Not only that, but we can also find various Scrabble forums and entire online communities that discuss this game.
Games like these are among some of the most unique developments in technology. With tech like virtual reality and the metaverse continuing to grow, it seems likely we’re going to carry on enjoying innovations on timeless games like bingo, chess and Scrabble for years to come.
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