How To Widen Your Gaming Experience
Any discussion of technology that does not explore the replete innovation taking place within the gaming space is often missing a vital part of the conversation. In just twenty years, video games have advanced to the point where fully rendered 3D worlds, internet connectivity with up to one hundred players and more sharing the same space, and fully immersive, adaptive storytelling has become the norm.
In fact, it has become so much the norm that games featuring these measures are not rating as highly as they may seem to warrant. It might be that you feel a little out of the loop due to not paying much attention to the gaming space in some years, but even then, you’ve likely heard about it. For example, games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 are known to sell more units than even the most popular movies of all time, and this is an astonishing statistic.
With that in mind, let us consider how you can yourself widen your gaming experience and once again settle into this space. Anyone with even a remote interest in technology owes this to themselves:
Consider VR
There are many VR titles on offer these days, and the cost of entry has never been easier. For those who wish for the ultimate room-scale experience, the HTC Vive or Vive Pro and Oculus Rift S are the best options for anyone, or at least they were until the Valve Index was released. With those latter two options, controlling your VR form has never been easier, as the Oculus’ ergonomic controllers are excellent at helping with haptic feedback and experiencing worlds like never before. With the best VR games on Steam, you’ll find excellent comedy, amazing short experiences, enjoyable fitness routines and many other beautiful experiences that can only be enjoyed in an immersive world. Considering VR can be a great option if you’re looking for that ‘wow factor’ to keep you going.
Open Your Social Experience
Gaming isn’t simply sitting inside and shooting virtual people until you get bored. It’s an active, social experience these days. Finding a buddy and going through a game together in co-operative mode can help you experience no small amount of fun and hilarity. No matter if you adore racing games, mutual puzzles that you have to figure out such as in Portal 2, or even competitive time trials, you’ll find that working with someone in the spirit of co-operation can help you view gaming as the social experience it is.
Consider Couch Titles
As you may sit down and experience a movie with friends, video games can also be played this way, in a manner that allows for gentle participation without dominance over a controller. For example, titles such as Until Dawn or the Telltale games offer choice-led interactions that can allow for interactive and nuanced storytelling to take place. As you shape the story with your actions, you’ll find that your evening in with your partner or friend will be heightened through the mini-discussions that take place, the ethical quandaries you might face when exposed to this, and hilarious disagreements when things go wrong.
Experience A Great Story
Again, it’s not uncommon for many out of the gaming loop to consider games as braindead affairs, as those that have only laughable plot threads with a thin veneer of writing holding things together. But this is not the case. In fact, it hasn’t been the case for some time. While no video game can rival the depth or intensity of a large novel (of course, neither can a movie), reams of text, of well-written content and absorbing story material can truly help break down your prejudices and feel something special.
Games such as What Remains of Edith Finch, Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture and Her Story can allow for some truly wonderful and rich experiences, those that you needn’t be a ‘hardcore’ gamer to enjoy, and those that can run on just about any hardware. These titles are also comparatively cheap, allowing you to test the narrative waters of video games and see just how you might respond to their immediate offering.
To Summarize
Games come in all shapes and sizes in 2019, and experiencing one may mean wishing to experience more. Of course, gaming is pure recreation, but enjoying some titles can help you experience a world like no other titles, and have your input respected.
With these tips, you’ll know exactly where to start.