5 Reasons Why Playing Strategy Games Online Is Better Than Playing IRL
Source: Pexels
Throughout human history, games have been played face-to-face. Tension, the joys of winning and the crushing melancholy of defeat were all experienced people in the same vicinity, and there was no escaping it. If you wanted to play, you literally had to have your game face on.
In no other gaming genre was this more true than in strategy games. Instead of basing moves and the ultimate result on luck or a roll of the dice, strategy games are determined by each individual players’ choices and skill. To win, you must come to the table equipped with tactics, a solid knowledge of the game you’re about to play and the patience to see each session through until the end.
Some of the world’s oldest games are strategy based, whether they be board-based like chess or card games like poker. So, it was no surprise that when the internet came along they transitioned almost seamlessly into the online space. Now, you can play chess with people around the world, battle others on video games, while poker rooms and online casinos continue to thrive. But is playing strategy games online better than playing than in real life? We think so, and here’s why.
Poker Face Anywhere: Ultimate Accessibility
Source: Pexels – To access millions of online games, all you need is an internet connection.
Out there in the real world, organizing a strategy game is quite the Endeavour. First of all, you have to find a game, then a place to play and of course people to play with. In the online world there’s no need to do that, as everything you could ever need is just a Google search away. No matter what genre of strategy game you fancy playing, chances are you can find it on your PC, tablet, console or even your smartphone. Fancy playing an MMORPG? Settle down for the evening with March of Empires or get on Overwatch. How about trying your hand at Texas Hold’Em or blackjack? There are literally thousands of games going on right now that you can join.
Then, once you’re ready to play you can join others who are already online around the world or invite friends to come play with you. Really, one of the best things that the internet has brought us is the ability to connect with anyone, anytime – and this is a great benefit for anyone who loves strategy games.
A Vast Variety of Games
In addition to being more accessible than live games, online games are incredibly varied and diverse. While specific brands may not be available on every platform, chances are you can find some variation of your favorite board or video game on the internet or as an app. You never know you may even find something you prefer.
Even games that really don’t require a lot of equipment and can more easily be played in real life have evolved in the online world. Take card games such as poker for example. While you may only need a pack of cards and some chips to get started with your own live game, chances are you still won’t get the variety available online due to the skills, experience or knowledge limits from your fellow players. Meanwhile, at gaming operators like 888poker there’s Texas Hold’em, Omaha hi/lo, 7 Card Stud, SNAP and even live streamed webcam poker games that you can play at any time with players that have mutual skills.
No Physical Tells Or Psych-Outs
Source: Pexels – By playing through a screen, the ability to call your bluff is removed entirely.
During real-life gameplay, it is incredibly easy to tell whether your competitors are doing well for themselves or when they are heading down a slippery slope. This, of course, is also true for you and chances are you’ve been sending signals giving away your game throughout most of your live gaming sessions. It’s human, it’s just something we all do, but it can really affect the outcome of the game entirely.
Fortunately for online players, this isn’t a problem, unless of course you shout about how your game is going over the microphone. This is why games that require some secrecy and discreetness like turn-based games are best online – there’s no way for opponents to garner information from your physical tells or psych you out because they can’t see you. Now, you may think that this also removes the conversational aspect that is crucial to games such as first-person shooters and even poker variants like Texas Hold’em, but most developers have already set chat boxes and other conversation tools in place to fill this gap. That means that you get to socialize without compromising your game.
No More Wagering Woes In Games Like Poker
When it comes to games where money is involved such as blackjack, poker or maybe really intense sessions of Settlers of Catan, playing online is a huge advantage for you and for your wallet. When playing live, there’s often a real sense of false bravado and competition involved – that is, if someone starts raising the stakes a little, you may feel obligated to the same. After all, if you don’t then you’ll probably be kicked out of the game entirely.
However, online money games often have preset wager amounts. This is most noticeable in online casino games, where players can usually open for 2x, 2.5x or 3x the big blind, a modest amount considering that ensures the high rollers can’t push other players to bet more than they can afford. Combine that with the inability for others to psych you out or make you feel less than if you decide to bow out and you’ll find yourself having a much more enjoyable game.
The Pacing Is Far Faster
Much like the online wagering system allows players to have more reasonable monetary controls, online games also promote more reasonable pacing. However, whether this is a benefit of online games depends on the specific game as well as you as an individual. If you enjoy fast play then you will no doubt enjoy many of the MMO and online FPS titles out there, as players have to be on their toes to keep up. The same is true of iGaming releases, especially card games such as baccarat and poker where players have a set amount of time to deal with their turns. In the case of poker, specifically, certain operators have focused on bringing fast-fold variants such as SNAP to their sites, to allow for ever greater speed.
Live games, on the other hand, are probably preferable for anyone who enjoys a slower pace and doesn’t find waiting around for others tedious. If you need more time to think and experience the game, you can stick with real-life games, otherwise it’s time to get online for the real fast-paced stuff.
There’s no doubting the appeal of strategy games, whether they’re online or offline. They offer incredible social, interactive and engaging experiences for players of all kinds, allowing players to find entertainment while also being thought-provoking. For anyone who plays strategy games often, there’s no doubt that they will find themselves applying skills they have developed in-game to their lives overall.
Still, we stand by the idea that live games have less to offer than online experiences when compared. As we’ve found, online strategy games are far more accessible and there’s more variety, plus limitations are removed such as physical tells, wagering woes and pacing issues.
Do you prefer playing online or playing strategy games in real life? Do you dabble in a bit of both? Let us know in the comments below.