Why Gaming Is So Popular

Human beings have been playing games for as long as we have been able to walk upright. It is an activity that appeals to something quite elemental within the human psyche.

two teen friends in headphones are playing a game console using gamepads and smiling
Image by frimufilms on Freepik

When people use the word gaming now though, they are generally referring to either console video games or online ones. The two have combined to create a global industry that is worth billions of pounds.

It is console games that have the longer history, having first emerged during the 1960s and 1970s. Online gaming is a result of the internet, which hit the mainstream during the 1990s.

It made up for lost time rapidly though and sites like online casinos now have millions of users logging in to enjoy free daily spins of their slot machines. So, what is it that attracts us to playing video and casino games?

That is what this article will attempt to find out.

Reasons for the Popularity of Gaming

The world of psychology gave us something called the ‘hierarchy of needs’ to help explain human behaviour. This theory from Abraham Maslow is expressed as a pyramid that goes from bottom to top:

What becomes clear when we look at why people play games is that they meet several of the needs in that hierarchy. Here are some examples.

Social Interaction

One thing that many of the most popular games have in common is that they can be played by multiple people together. In the video game world, these are known as ‘multi-player games’.

The same thing is true of a lot of online games, such as casino ones. Poker in particular is a game for several people at a time. Online casinos have also grown in popularity since they introduced live casino options, where people can connect to studios with real-life dealers by video link.

All of this indicates that people like the social aspect of gaming, because it meets love and belongingness needs on the Maslow Hierarchy.

Achievement

The point of playing games is to try to win them, which can lead to feelings of achievement and accomplishment. This is similar to winning an award in the working world.

Many video games are specifically created with a structure of challenges that must be overcome to earn points or some other kind of reward. Meanwhile, casino games like blackjack and poker most often reward players who take the time to master strategies.

This process of learning skills and earning rewards ensures that gaming meets the esteem needs within the Maslow Hierarchy.

Imagination

A significant proportion of the video games on the market are set within fantasy worlds. That means part of the appeal for those who play them would seem to be imaginative.

When it comes to casino games, the most popular type is slot machines. A lot of them also feature themes that are fantasy based, which suggests imagination is something to do with their status too.

There is nothing particularly strange about this, as everyone wants a change from everyday life occasionally. It is no different to watching a fantasy television show.

It means that gaming can help with the safety needs within the Maslow Hierarchy though.

Most Popular Games for 2025

Now we know some of the reasons why people like playing games, but what are the games that they will be choosing this year? Here are a few of the most popular titles for 2025.

Slot Masters Tournaments

This online slot machine offers a mix of traditional slot play and e-sports. It allows the player to compete against other people in slot tournaments, each of which consists of between two and three matches.

That makes it the perfect blend of competition and social activity.

Batman: Arkham Shadow

This superhero game was released last year, but it will continue to be very big in 2025. The fact that there will be no new Batman movie this year will make fans even keener on the game, to satisfy their yearnings for the Caped Crusader.

It deserves to be a popular choice too, because it is an excellent game. Arkham Shadow uses virtual reality to create a darkly immersive world and offers a combination of action and problem solving.

Botany Manor

Puzzle games like this appeal to both sexes, so Botany Manor will be big this year. It is about attempting to grow plants on an English estate and players must solve various clues to make the various colourful and amazing flowers bloom.

Gaming is popular because it meets many psychological needs for those who play the games; from safety to social.