The video game industry is about to eclipse the film and music industries in terms of profit and popularity – this is quite a shock to those who are not familiar with the industry, but all avid gamers know just how big the video game industry is becoming. There are now so many different aspects of the gaming world that are growing, including mobile games, MMO games, Twitch streamers, esports and everything in between.
It can be difficult to keep track of the biggest games in the industry when there are new launches and surprise hits nearly every week. We have compiled this definitive list of the most beloved games ever created and try to explain just why they appeal to players.
Call of Duty
The Call of Duty (or COD) series is certainly beloved by gamers and has been a favourite for decades. All COD games are first-person shooter games that are set in various wartimes, including WWII, the Cold War, outer space star battles and potential future wars on Earth.
While some have argued that the game is popular largely due to its owner’s (Activision) aggressive marketing, others say that COD is an all-time classic game because it is very fast-paced, easy to pick up for new players, and one of the most exciting games to play for any gamer.
Fortnite
Launched by indie creator Epic Games, Fortnite was released in 2017 but quickly became the most popular video game in the world. This MMO game is free to play, which has certainly increased its popularity, as has the game’s openness, creativity and customisability.
Minecraft
This is most certainly one of the most creative and “left field” games to become incredibly popular over the last few years – Minecraft has grown from strength to strength in the industry. The game has outsold classic games such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Pac-Man, Tetris and Super Mario Brothers.
Minecraft has been credited with popularising the sandbox game genre, in which players can create their own world. Every session is slightly different from the last and there are multiple ways to play in Minecraft.
World of Warcraft
Another classic game is World of Warcraft, otherwise known as WOW, which has been running for decades. This role-playing game (RPG) is built on players developing their characters and levelling up to be as powerful as possible, while also enjoying the fun and freedom of the game.
Players essentially have free range and can join up with friends, follow quest patterns or engage in role playing and PvP.
Pokémon
The entire Pokémon brand is so popular it arguably changed the world forever. Who doesn’t remember collecting their first Pokémon cards, watching the series or choosing a favourite creature? The Pokémon games are all tied to the series and are incredibly fun, engaging and exciting as well – it is easy to understand why they are so popular and have an enduring popularity.
Online slots
This is more of a genre than a specific game, but online slots have become incredibly popular over the course of the last five years. Although the first online slots came out nearly 30 years ago, the interface technology has only recently progressed to the point where the visuals and sound effects of these games can almost rival video games.
There are tens of thousands of slot games available in pretty much every style, theme and aesthetic you can imagine. As the industry becomes more popular, the number of titles will likely only grow longer.
Grand Theft Auto
The Grand Theft Auto series or GTA was heavily criticized when the first game was launched, as it allows players to kill and attack others with impunity, in civilian settings. However, many years after the first release, GTA is now celebrated for its fun and creativity.
There are many players who completely ignore the game’s in-built quests and instead spend hours enjoying the game for what it is, and cruise around the streets of the biggest cities in America.
Red Dead Redemption
The Red Dead Redemption series is one of the newer games series to be included in this list. However, it is here for a good reason.
Red Dead Redemption II, in particular, took gamers and critics by surprise with its incredibly detailed game play and design. This is an entire, well-designed world just waiting for a cowboy or cowgirl to start exploring. The breadth, depth and beauty of the game is the reason why players keep returning to it year after year.
