Did you know that 64% of adults in the US play video games regularly? That’s the case, according to the Entertainment Software Association, and in 75% of households, there’s at least one person who plays video games.
Games provide stimulation and relaxation, and not only that, but an entire generation has also grown up on video games. If you’re not one of the adults out there who is already gaming and is suffering from fear of missing out, this article is for you. It’s everything you need to know about gaming.
Things you’ll need
Depending on what you’re playing, you’re going to need certain things.
If you’re playing on the go, or if you’re not on the go but don’t want to be stuck behind a large computer screen or forced to play in a fixed spot, you’re going to need either a tablet or a smartphone.
If you don’t want to sit down at a computer, you might prefer a games console rather than a PC. You’ll be able to play boxed games, which you can find in stores or online. Consoles such as the Xbox and PlayStation also connect to the Net, and you can play multiplayer games with other gamers online.
Of course, it goes without saying that you should have access to a good Internet connection. They don’t call “online gaming” that for no reason.
Finding time
If you want to make serious time for gaming, you have to work out how long it takes you to do all your different tasks. Then you must work out what you want to spend more of your time doing, which, in this case, is gaming. Calculate how much time you’d like to spend doing certain things, and then take action.
You could try delegating as many duties as possible to others. You could also make use of “dead” time, such as standing in a queue or waiting for friends, to complete simple tasks like paying a bill or sending a necessary email. All of this will help to free up extra time for gaming later.
Some games lend themselves very easily to time-strapped adults. Take the online slots at Draft Kings for example. They’re easy to play and you can squeeze in games in small pockets of time, there are games on a huge range of themes, including hit films, famous musicians and historical events.
Finding the right games
The one thing you’re going to realize is that there are lots of different types of games out there. Discovering which ones you enjoy is all part of the fun, however. Below are some of the main types of games to help you decide:
- First shooter: a game in which you see the action and the environment through the eyes of the protagonist. Think “Halo” or “Call of Duty.”
- Third-person shooter: a game in which you can see the lead character on the screen. “Metal Gear Solid” is one type of third-person shooter.
- Role-playing game (RPG): often a fantasy or sci-fi game in which the character collects new abilities or weapons by fighting enemies or discovering treasure. “Final Fantasy” is one example.
- Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMORPG): a game played online in which lots of different players are all competing against each other and working together.
Playing online
Search for fiber internet near me as you will need a router and a broadband connection. Ideally, you want a connection that offers fast upload and download speeds. This is because as well as downloading games or information, you’ll be uploading your own stats or progress to the game’s server while you play.
You can connect your console directly to your router, or you can do so wirelessly via the Wi-Fi. A wired connection tends to be more stable.
Playing multiplayer games online is straightforward, and you don’t have to play against strangers on the internet. The different games console makers let you create lists of friends and you can see when these people are online to play.
Video games and escapism
Just why would an adult want to play video games, however, apart from relaxation and stimulation of the brain?
It’s a complicated world out there, full of uncertainty, whereas the world of a video game is small and relatively straightforward. You don’t have to make big decisions. You just hit a few buttons and perform a few actions.
It’s all very straightforward, and playing a game is an escape from the pressures of the real world. You can escape people. You can escape situations in your real life over which you have no control, but when you’re playing a character in a game, you experience some sense of control.
Games aren’t just about escapism, however; they’re about freedom, and they give people a chance to explore. If you’re shy in real life, a role-playing game, such as a fantasy game, can transform you into someone much more confident and outgoing. If you’re timid in real life, in a horror game you can be the hero that slays the zombies and maybe even build a little courage to take back with you into the real world.
Now you know what you need to know, it’s time to set up your games console or create your online account and get practicing. Besides competing against the teens in your household, there are thousands more players out there you can take on. Let the games begin!
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