Gaming

Gaming’s roots stretch back to the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the early 1970s when consumer hardware arrived in people’s living rooms and sparked something truly huge. The industry continued to grow and major tech companies jumped on board, pushing the boundaries of what games could be.

By the 1990s, gaming had found its feet. 3D graphics changed everything, with companies like Nintendo, SEGA, and Sony shaping the future of gaming. Beyond this handheld consoles inundated the market thanks to breakthroughs in micro-technology. In the home, Sony’s original PlayStation and Nintendo’s Entertainment System kicked off a legacy that continues to today’s PS5 and Switch 2 consoles.

The 2000s are fondly remembered for the PS2, Xbox, and the rise of mainstream PC gaming, making it one of the most iconic eras for gaming. In the 2010s, esports and competitive gaming transformed the landscape, turning gaming into a spectator-driven, streaming-focused experience.

Fast forward to today, and the industry is expected to be worth over $230 billion by the end of 2025. Games aren’t just a niche anymore; they’re currently dominating the entertainment space. They’re going toe-to-toe with TV, music, and movies — titles like Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Fortnite are now just as recognizable as anything else in pop culture.

From big-budget AAA blockbusters to indie gems, there are thousands of games, and more are released every day. Each new release brings something new to the table, whether that be with its gameplay, graphics, or storytelling. And there’s no signs of things slowing down; if anything, the demand is only growing.

Still, when it comes to the best games, that becomes a little bit of a minefield. Of course, everyone has their favorites, and calling one game the GOAT will always start a debate. Although some titles have consistently risen to the top, through sales, loyal communities, or by cultural impact. Ask anyone who the biggest games right now are, and you might get answers like:

• Fortnite
• Minecraft
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III / Warzone
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
• Grand Theft Auto V / Online
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• The Sims 4 (and Sims 5 hype)
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
• EA FC 25
• Palworld

This is just scratching the surface. It doesn’t matter whether you’re into story-driven RPGs, sandbox building games, chill and cosy games, or fast-paced shooters — there is a game out there for everyone. Existing genres continue to evolve and expand across all platforms. The tough part? Choosing what to play next.

Being a gamer today doesn’t mean you have to own a high-end PC or sink hundreds of hours into competitive shooters. If you play games on any device for a short or long amount of time, you’re a gamer. Whether you’re grinding through levels in Clash of Clans or losing hours in the vast open worlds of Genshin Impact or Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, it all counts.

There’ll never be a rulebook for how to enjoy games. It’s not necessary to be a die-hard fan of a single franchise or to spend thousands of dollars on collectibles to be classed as a gamer. It’s a fact that doesn’t always sit well with the more hardcore members of the community, but every avenue of gaming is valid. If someone picks up some of the best casual games like Candy Crush and completes a few levels, they’re by definition a gamer. Fun fact: Candy Crush is one of the highest-grossing games in history, so it’s doing something right.

The answer is yes, absolutely, and the numbers back it up. It’s the largest section of the industry. There are more people playing games on their mobiles than on any console or PC.

In recent years, the mobile esports scene has exploded. Games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile host big tournaments with huge prize pools. Tech giants like Apple are pushing their hardware so you can run full-on console games on your phone. They’re not the only ones — Samsung’s enhancing its Galaxy devices for smoother play and ASUS ROG’s making phones that are built for just gaming.

There’s nothing casual about mobile gaming. It remains accessible, diverse, and evolves at a rapid pace. It doesn’t matter whether you play once a week or grind daily; it all counts.

Gaming is no longer linked to one main system anymore, and that in itself is a game-changer. Whether you’re on console, PC, or a mobile device, there’s an ever-expanding number of opportunities to jump into multiplayer sessions with your friends, even if they’re on a different device. That’s all thanks to the rise of crossplay.

In multiplayer games, cross-platform play has become one of the most requested features, and today, more and more developers are catching on. Not all titles will offer it, but the list of crossplay-enabled games is growing fast. Before buying a game, if crossplay is important to you, make sure the game features it.

It’s probably not news to you that the gaming world moves fast — blink and you’ll miss it. New announcements, industry shifts, streamer drama, or even surprise releases. It all happens at a lightning pace. Publishers, creators, and developers work around the clock across the globe, so there will always be something new to get yourself immersed in.

That’s why staying connected to a reliable source like Esports.net will make a big difference. Whether the latest patch is dropping, a major competitive title has an update, or the latest moves from your favorite content creators, we’ll have you covered.

No matter what you follow or play, there will always be something worth knowing at Esports.net.