According to Statista, the gaming business is now firmly established as the world’s most lucrative entertainment industry (and by quite some margin). However, the gaming sectors that appear to be dominating the revenue charts are mobile, console, and PC, leaving traditional games in their wake.
And while video games are big business, they haven’t completely replaced old school favorites such as board games, card games, and other tabletop pastimes. In fact, these games have seen a resurgence in recent years due to mandated lockdowns and quarantine restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Moreover, the rapid advancement of technology has offered up new opportunities for conventional games, as developers and studios seek ways to digitally transform classic titles, giving them a 21st-century makeover. As a result, traditional games are making a major comeback, thanks to innovations like virtual and augmented reality, online competitive play, and social features. Let’s look at a few key examples.
Jigsaw puzzles
Believe it or not, jigsaw puzzles were a quarantine hit. After millions of people were forced to stay at home, they looked for ways to keep themselves entertained, so they could pass the time until the restrictions were lifted. While some turned to Netflix, others looked to the humble jigsaw puzzle to keep themselves amused – and who could blame them? There is something deeply meditative about sitting down to complete a jigsaw puzzle. You have to be extremely focused and attentive if you want to stand any chance at solving it within a reasonable period of time – and is there any better feeling than when you finally match up that last piece?
However, despite their mass appeal, jigsaw puzzles have a few fundamental flaws that make some people averse to them. For example, losing pieces, having no way to get assistance when you are stuck, and once you have completed one puzzle, there is no way to mix it up or add any variation to it.
Fortunately, online jigsaw puzzles solve all of these problems. With websites such as im-a-puzzle.com, you can take your jigsaw puzzles online and choose from a wide variety of options that will keep you entertained for hours. No more lost pieces, no more cleaning up afterward, and if you get stuck, the game will suggest a hint and help you find your next move. You can even take your own personal photos and turn them into online puzzles, adding a nice element of customizability that wouldn’t have been possible before.
UNO
UNO is one of the most widely played card games, keeping families and friends entertained (or at each other’s throats) for decades. The aim of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. However, that is far easier said than done.
Once again, UNO is a great game, but it does have its drawbacks. First, you need to have the UNO board and the accompanying cards. If you lose any of these items, you won’t be able to play. Secondly, it can be time-consuming to set up. Lastly, if you don’t have anyone else to play with, then you’re out of luck.
As it turns out, UNO has now made its way to the online world after the official publisher launched a mobile application for both android and iOS. Through the app, you can play against your friends or random players from around the world. There are tons of ways to play inside the app, and there are plenty of different game modes and special events to keep things fresh. It’s definitely worth a try if you haven’t already.
Chess
Chess is an age-old classic that has captured the imagination of millions of people around the world for hundreds of years. As you know, the aim of the game is to strategize your way to victory by checkmating your opponent’s king. Of course, the game is almost infinitely complex, with hundreds of different openings and ways to play the game. As a consequence, chess has typically been looked at as the “intellectual’s” game.
However, chess hasn’t really experienced any developments over the past few centuries despite its esteemed history. The game we all play and adore today looks the same as it did in the 19th century. While there is nothing wrong with that, it was about time somebody spiced things up, and that’s exactly what’s happened.
Chess Ultra is a great example of how technology can digitally transform these traditional games and give them an entirely new look and feel. With grandmaster-approved AI, virtual reality gameplay, stunning 4k visuals, and seamless online multiplayer, chess has never looked so good.
Tetris
Finally, we have Tetris, one of the world’s first video puzzle games. The gameplay is simple; colored blocks fall from the top of the screen, and you have to move the blocks around (left, right, or rotate) so that they fit within the space below. The object is to keep going for as long as possible. Once the blocks reach the top of the screen, the game is over.
In 1989, the software developers launched Tetris onto the Game Boy, where it has sold a whopping 35 million units to date. However, it has since been taken one step further thanks to VR technology. TETRIS® EFFECT, released in the back end of 2021, brings a new spin to the age-old classic with the inclusion of over ten different game modes across 30 stages.
A multiplayer expansion also allows you to compete against friends or random players over the internet, duking it out for a place on the leaderboards. The VR aspect creates a more immersive experience that takes Tetris to the next level as it transports you directly into the world as you scramble to beat the clock.
Final word
Technology is digitally transforming many traditional games that we all know and love. While most of the games are still great to play the old-fashioned way, it’s hard to deny the exciting new features and benefits these digital versions provide, especially when it comes to the user experience and the multiplayer features.
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