Playing and watching sports, whether it’s seeing the SuperBowl or joining a local football team, has never been more popular. Across the world participation and audiences for sport are rising.
So perhaps it’s no surprise that the influence of sport is spreading into game-playing too. From sport-themed online slot games to the worldwide craze for playing FIFA, more and more of us are enjoying sports in more and more ways.
Of course online gaming has been booming too. Millions of players now log on every day – and many of those go on to play games with a sporting theme or content.
Online games
The growth in online gaming is mainly down to the rise of high-speed internet access and spread of portable remote devices. Casino games in particular have grown in popularity due to their transition online, with many new players signing up to online casinos. With there being so many casino sites to choose from, it may be useful to head to a company that advises new players on the best casino providers and casino promotions available.
Amid this online boom, sports games are now the most convenient and immediate way to have a little burst of sporting fun.
You don’t even have to lace up your boots or buy a ticket to a live game, you can grab a slice of sports gaming from the comfort of your own home.
Mobile access is now offering players access to the thrills of sports gaming any time, any place.
Non-players may start scoffing about the social isolation of these pastimes – but today’s online sports games can be lively social experiences. Many online sports games have multiplayer modes or chat rooms.
It’s a brilliant way of meeting other players from other parts of the world.
Realistic sports games
Modern online sports games have been boosted by the realism of the latest graphics. Sophisticated technology means the games now closely mimic real-life sports action, with detailed graphics, realistic gameplay and life-like players.
* The best-known of all the online sports games now is the virtual soccer game FIFA. It has a huge global following.
FIFA players can create their own teams to compete against other virtual teams from around the world. It has great player animations, realistic graphics and even life-like commentaries.
* Not far behind is the virtual basketball game NBA 2K. This also offers players the chance to build their own teams using famous players.
* American football fans can turn to Madden NFL, the top virtual football game. It has even inspired its own virtual tournament, The Madden Bowl.
This involves top players competing for bragging rights – and big cash prizes.
* Baseball online players can get engrossed in MLB The Show instead. This is the leading online baseball game offering all the thrill of scoring home runs… at home.
* Soccer fans also have the option of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). This is an acclaimed digital game admired for its detailed graphics and animations.
* Hockey enthusiasts usually pick NHL, the leading virtual ice hockey game. Sometimes it feels like it’s almost as fast and physical as the real thing.
Look out for all types of online sports games as they appear online. They can now range from the vast array of classic car racing games – to unlikely specialist sports themed games, like online wrestling.
Sports in casino games
To add even more options for sports fans, many online casinos have started adding sports-themed games.
One of the commonest and most popular is sport-themed slots. Online slots are booming at the moment and much of that is down to the spread of themed games.
These are combinations of the traditional slot appeal with a fun styling and presentation.
You could find a game based on a favourite player, team or sport. The graphics and gameplay will be all about that theme.
You may get bursts of commentary or video clips too. It’s all about creating an atmosphere of fun to make the slot game seem even more enjoyable.
The casinos also offer sports-themed table games too. Look out for popular new arrivals like basketball-themed blackjack or soccer-themed roulette.
Perhaps the future will lie in the combination of casino-style gameplay with virtual sports. There are now online games offering sports betting – on virtual sports.
So you can wager on a horse race between fictitious animals that have a detailed racing history explained beforehand. It could be an opportunity to use some of your skill and experience in a sport – and have fun at the same time.
In conclusion there’s never been a better time to be a sports fan. There are more sports activities to join in with and more sporting events to watch.
And even if you haven’t the skill or energy for physical sport, there are more and more ways to get a sporting thrill from online games. We think these online sporting games are so good that they are only going to grow and grow in the very near future.