While most people consider Valve’s card game, Counter-Strike, to be a form of entertainment, the developers behind the game actually see it as a way of testing new ideas and technology. For instance, the developers use a portion of the game’s revenue to fund projects that benefit gaming as a whole.
Many game companies and digital marketplaces have followed suit, and while the idea behind these projects varies from game to game, many are focused on helping gamers better enjoy themselves while playing. Whether it’s helping casinos offer more competitive odds or improving the in-game chat experience, these projects generally strive to make the user experience as good as possible.
The Growth Of eSports
As a direct result of Valve’s forward-thinking attitude and support for beneficial causes, eSports has grown enormously in popularity, with live tournaments surpassing popular movie premieres in terms of audience sizes. In 2018, the year of the game’s 20th anniversary, eSports had an audience of roughly 10 million viewers at live events, according to research firm Newzoo.
eSports is now a global phenomenon, with prominent events taking place in venues as far afield as Africa and Mexico. While traditional sports like football (soccer) have made inroads into mainstream culture, it’s the digital natives who’ve benefited the most from eSports, with 83% of people between the ages of 16 and 24 saying they follow a sports team or individual player online. And, of course, many people are still keeping up with their beloved PC and console games as well.
A Community Of Gamers
Counter-Strike is a game that’s very much about community, and this has helped fuel the growth of eSports and also led to the creation of various communities focused on gaming. Just like with most games, there are players who prefer to engage with other people while playing, and for these people, gaming communities like Discord have provided a platform for chatting while also competing in games. Even with the rise of social media and platforms like Twitch, finding a like-minded community has always been easier for gamers, given the geographic confines of most consoles and PCs. However, the internet has made it possible for geographically isolated communities to come together and form a cohesive unit, which has also given rise to regional eSports communities like those in South Korea and Japan.
Digital Currency
Not only has eSports grown in popularity, but so has the concept of digital currency and competitive betting. If you’ve ever played Hearthstone or Dota 2, you may have witnessed in-game ads that promote betting websites. Similarly, Valve’s native platform, Steam, offers in-game betting where users can put money on the line for various competitive games. These games include Counter-Strike and its standalone expansion, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, as well as several other first-person shooter (FPS) games.
While most people probably view Valve’s support for competitive games and eSports as an extra perk, the company actually sees it as a way of testing new ideas and technology. Inevitably, some of these ideas will make their way into future Valve games, and those who bet on or follow these games will effectively be playing with technology that aids their favorite teams and players.
The Popularity Of Online Casinos
Counter-Strike was originally designed for use within multiplayer online casinos (MOCCAs), with the first version of the game launching in association with the global casino company, Microgaming. Since then, lots of the biggest and most popular casinos online have jumped on board, including some of the most reputable brands in the business, such as Ultimate Bet and Sky Bet. These online casinos have embraced the game, and many of them utilize it as a means of enticing players to sign up and also as a tool of engagement. In most cases, players can use their smartphone or computer to place bets while playing, and most casinos offer support for all major credit cards as well as bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
As more and more people turn to the internet for their entertainment, finding a way to engage with other people is becoming an increasingly popular pastime. One option is to play games, but since many of us already do that, why not take it a step further? Instead of just playing, why not bet on the game, use digital wallets to store your funds, and connect with other individuals who share your passion for gaming? An online casino offers all of that, and more, which is why so many people are flocking to them.