Looking for entertainment online has become more common in the last decade. From streaming, music, socializing and games, there are multiple opportunities. Gaming isn’t a new pastime, but the way we engage in it has developed considerably. It has given rise to a whole world of acronyms to describe the most popular online games.
While consoles are popular, PC games and apps are also viable options for gamers. With the top titles more accessible than ever, gamers of all ages are enjoying quality content. Read on to discover which online games are the most popular and what kinds of titles you can explore if they sound fun to you.
Six of the Most Popular Online Game Genres
We’ve pulled together a list of the most popular genres. They’re in no particular order as these six often compete for the top spots when it comes to individual game titles.
First-Person Shooter (FPS)
First-person shooter games are incredibly popular; in fact, they’re one of the most played genres across all age groups. The name is fairly self-explanatory. You move around, seeing your game world from a first-person perspective. A type of weapon, particularly a gun, is usually involved, and you’ll need to complete missions to progress.
This type of game fits into the broader category of shooter games, which, generally, all fall under the action genre. Popular first-person shooter titles include Doom, Halo, Call of Duty, Counter-Strike and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six.
Real-Time Strategy (RTS)
Real-time strategy games have fully stepped into the spotlight, particularly when it comes to esports, with professional teams competing against each other. They differ from other strategy games, which are known as TBS or turn-based strategy, as you don’t need to progress in increments on your turn.
Many of the titles in this genre involve overseeing positions, structures and units and conquering locations on a map. If you’re playing an RTS, you can expect it to have multiple tasks and be demanding, complex and also rewarding. Well-known games include League of Legends, Warcraft, Starcraft, Dune II and Age of Empires.
Online Casino Games
A considerable amount of time is spent by players enjoying games at an online casino. While some of the mechanics are similar, this genre is quite different from the others, with financial rewards playing a significant role. Although playing to win is part of most gaming concepts, having fun and hearing the jackpot sound go hand in hand in this instance.
New online casino games are launched regularly, which means players have a wide choice of options. Categories include slots, blackjack, roulette, live casino, bingo, video poker and more.
Sports Games
This broad genre covers any game where you’re participating in a simulated sports environment. It’s one of the oldest categories of video games but has certainly stood the test of time. These titles require diverse skills. Some call for dexterity and, thanks to VR and motion sensors, can be physically demanding.
Most online sports games go down one of two routes. There are those that simulate a sport, including team games, like football and basketball, athletics, combat and extreme sports. The other type relies more on strategy, such as building the best team or choosing the best sports management tactics. Famous examples include FIFA, Madden and Pro Evolution Soccer (now officially known as eFootball).
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
MOBA can be classed as another subgenre of strategy games. Two teams of players compete on the battlefield to win. Each character in a team is controlled by a different player, which brings in the multiplayer elements, as it isn’t just two opponents.
Most commonly, the team is defending a structure at the edge of the battlefield behind them. The opposition’s objective is to destroy the structure or defeat every enemy character. There’s some crossover with RTS. Popular online games include Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm and League of Legends.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG)
MMORPGs are a particular type of massively multiplayer online game. The broader category includes online games like FarmVille, Fortnite and Minecraft. Thousands of players are all in the game together on one server.
Games that fit in the MMORPG category share specific characteristics, including character creation and needing to team up with others to progress. The world in the games is usually open to exploring so that you can gain skills, meet others and complete quests. Famous MMORPGs include World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, Runescape and Skyforge.
