Five games that have benefited from going online

It’s hard to believe it, but mainstream forms of online gaming have been around for almost three decades now. Technological advances have made the early days of multi-machine play seem almost unrecognisable from what we have come to expect: the birth of LAN (Local Area Network) gameplay – when friends were able to join a game together providing they were physically connected to the same router – seems worlds away from the current days of global streaming services such as Steam. While laggy, clunky gameplay was the norm in the early days, thanks to years of development, it’s possible for people all over the world to load incredibly complex maps instantaneously and simultaneously.

Gone are the days when the priority of game development was single-player story mode: today online gaming has become one of the most lucrative markets in the world, and games are created with this in mind. Here are five familiar games which have been revolutionised by adapting to online gameplay.

Civilization

Civilization is one of those classic games that defined an era of computer play, challenging a whole generation to build virtual empires that could stand the test of time. However, the question was, as the world upgraded, could the game itself withstand the test of time? The answer, as the continuing popularity of the game can testify, is yes. The one thing that was more fun than forming an army, as it turns out, was using it against other players in online multiplayer mode. Online play cemented Civilization’s reputation as a slow-burning strategy game for the ages.

Pro Evolution Soccer

Pro Evolution Soccer is a great example of a title which levelled up when it rolled with the changes. The first couple of instalments saw the game in close contention with FIFA, the other leading football emulator on the market. However, by its third edition in 2003, despite superior stats, Pro Evolution Soccer was already being criticised for its lack of online play.

This was just the beginning for Pro Evolution Soccer; its fourth iteration in 2004 offered online gameplay for the Xbox, before 2005 release Pro Evolution Soccer 5 finally enabled network play for Windows and PS2, bringing the franchise back into the running. Though initially licencing issues meant fewer rights to leagues, teams and players, by the sixth version the company were able to offer a range of national kits, allowing players globally to wear their favourite shirts and customise their dream teams. 

Pro evolution soccer adapted their gameplay by offering customization features to their players.

Bingo

Long gone are the days of crowded gaming halls that provided entertainment during the past century. There are still some physicals halls across town but, as technology continues to improve – with new phones, tablets and laptops providing realistic experiences – classic games such as bingo have shifted online. These games are enhanced by themes drawing from the cinema – think Batman and Game of Thrones – and music – Kiss and AC/DC – industries, as well as the implementation of live chatrooms. Play online bingo with wink bingo for a chance to see how a classic can get an online twist, proving that the popularity of a game isn’t affected by the format and setting. With the carrying out of 5G technology across the nation, it’s clear that even more advanced features will soon by added.

Tekken

Tekken – which is Japanese for “iron fist” – is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time. It was first released in 1994 as an arcade game and then on PlayStation 1995. It has since sold over 50 million units.

Though this game has always remained popular, the addition of online gameplay in Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection Online was highly welcomed by fans, marking the first time that Tekken players could fight each other in an online capacity. 

The Tekken franchise has managed to blend classic gameplay with online components and last released a game in 2015 with Tekken 7, as well as many other spin-off and crossover games.

Tekken is a retro-arcade classic that still remains popular today.

Call of Duty

The Call of Duty (aka COD) franchise has been one of Activision’s most popular titles since its first release in 2003. It’s well loved by players across the world and is even familiar with those who aren’t into gaming.

Call of Duty was somewhat ahead of the game when it came to online play, with the first console release in 2004 – Call of Duty: Finest Hour – including an online multiplayer mode that supported up to 32 players on PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

Online quickly became a favourite way to play, giving fans the chance to play alongside friends and complete different maps together. 

The first-person shooter game has continued with release after release, selling over 300 million overall copies, the latest instalment being Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War which came out last November. COD is the sixth highest-grossing video game of all time and there doesn’t seem to be any signs of it slowing down.

The editorial unit