Gaming has become incredibly competitive over the years. The development of video games has been spread across four generations and is most prevalent among millennials and Gen Z. It’s not like the days when people would gather together and play on one system and host parties.
Technology’s development has driven that competitiveness to a new level. While some people play the best online casino, card games, shooters, or other types of games, perhaps the people best equipped to play video games competitively are sports fans.
Most fans like sports because it is results driven. There is an entertainment element to it, but a lot of fans’ emotional state hinges on a win or a loss. There is banter between two sides of a game, and then it is settled after a week of practice; in the case of football which has limited games to make the playoffs and determine who is the best team.
Those stakes have similarly been raised over the years. The emergence of gaming online has created greater competitiveness. The gaming industry is booming because everybody can have their own device and still connect with friends and put their skills to the test, whether in simple online games or entering tournaments against various skill levels.
Sports fans, who often grew up playing sports, have a natural competitiveness to them, so when they play a video game, it is about being the best or striving to improve to be the best. Gaming gives them an outlet to continue that competitiveness in a constructive way.
Sports games also give them offline opportunities to play as or simulate their favorite teams in hopes of winning a championship in season modes. They can also build dynasties, manage the economics of player contracts, and more.
The holidays are a great time to connect with sports fans, and there are many related gifts. But for those who enjoy gaming and sports, here are games worth pursuing.
Madden
The annual EA Sports franchise has the official license of the National Football League and tries to replicate the greatest and most powerful organization. The game offers several modes, including a single-player mode that allows users to control a person’s career from the college ranks to getting drafted and attempting to become a Hall of Famer once in the league.
But there is also Ultimate Team mode. This is unique in that there are player cards like what collectors used to and still do get out of packs, but it is all virtual and in the game. Players have different ratings and skill sets, and legends also come back to combine into a single team. As users play, they accumulate more cards and their team improves through the different seasons that will bring different rewards that can only be earned at that time.
NBA 2K
The top basketball game with National Basketball Association licensing has dominated the space for basketball games. It, too, allows users to play as their favorite franchise, develop their own player – from style to piling up attributes to become the best in an online park setting to compete with and against others – and has its own version of Ultimate Team.
Basketball fans have had their gripes about the series, but developers have been heralded for taking a step forward in improving gameplay and giving a great experience for all gamers.
FIFA
The latest soccer game is incredibly popular internationally, and this year has grown in popularity because of the 2022 World Cup being played in Qatar. Gamers can play as national teams or their favorite English Premier League teams, or any number of teams from other leagues across the world. While online play and an ultimate team mode dominate this game, there is plenty to do offline.
MLB The Show
Major League Baseball’s license has been dominated for a decade by MLB The Show. While the game was largely built on offline play, it has long created a realistic experience for gamers. The latest step was Diamond Dynasty, the baseball version of Ultimate Team, which allows for much shorter, three-inning games and roster balancing through various game modes. It’s one of the most competitive sports games out there despite not having as many users.
