The games market in the US is huge, and it’s believed to have a global value of around $134bn. For many people, the rough and tumble of online or video gaming is a big part of the appeal – and for many, there’s a lot of fun to be found in seeking the adrenaline of a fast-paced game. If you’re not so fast, however, it can quickly start to seem a bit less fun.
Luckily, there are lots of alternatives available for people who want to take a more chilled-out approach to competitive gaming. The internet has offered up the chance to play everything from poker to chess, for example, while board games and trading card games are still as popular as ever. Here are some ideas for those who want to access the gaming world on a slow and steady basis.
Trading card games
Trading card games are associated in the minds of many with kids in the schoolyard at recess. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg: there’s a whole world of trading card game options out there, and they’re popular with people of all ages. Magic: The Gathering, for example, was the very first trading card game and is set in exciting wizarding worlds. Hearthstone, meanwhile, offers a variety of cards, each with their own weird and wonderful roles, including everything from priest to warlock, and as a result, it’s popular with lots of players around the world.
The appeal of trading card games for those who want to enjoy a slower competitive gaming experience is that time is essential in order to proceed from one stage to the next. Each card contains a number of statistics or facts, and these need to be digested and placed in the context of the other cards before it’s possible to proceed. As a result, consideration and calmness is required – as is sustained, reflective thought. Trading card games often rely on strategies and odds calculations more than physical attributes – they are the gaming equivalent of chess.
Online casino games
Casino games are also great options for people who are less than savvy when it comes to being fast-paced. That’s because going slowly is often a skill in many casino environments. These games require strategic thinking, and rushing around in the way that you might if you’re an avatar in Call of Duty is pretty much the opposite of strategic!
With online casinos, you don’t have to leave the house. The fact that online casinos don’t require as much physical space as real-world casinos, of course, means that they can offer an increased variety of game choice. The best online casinos for people in New Jersey offer a range of games to pick from, including poker and slots – so you’ll certainly be able to find a competitive, dealer-based game that suits your own speed and abilities.
Old-school games
Competitive gaming is often perceived as a forward-thinking and even futuristic industry, and the arrival of virtual reality headsets and the like has enhanced this perception. However, there’s a long history to the world of gaming – and there are plenty of examples of great games from years gone by that are still ideal for playing. For those who want to take their gaming a little more slowly, old games lend themselves perfectly.
Take the example of chess. It offers a chance to exercise your competitive streak while taking your time, and the existence of the internet means that tutorials in how to master your opponent are widely available. It’s possible to play chess either online or in person, so you’ve got a good choice of medium. The same goes for board games. Trivial Pursuit is known for being a competitive choice, while Monopoly is also worth considering. Heading down to a board games store or visiting Amazon to pick up a chess set, then, could be worth doing.
Despite what the screens of any video gamer might suggest to you, competitive gaming doesn’t have to be a fast-paced environment. Whether your muscle memory isn’t up to much or you simply don’t fancy rushing, there’s a game out there for you. From trading card exercises to online casino games, there’s plenty to pick from – so find your preferred game today.
