The Rise of Modern Shooters: Why Players Spend Hundreds of Hours
With over 200 million gamers in the United States, you could be an avid gamer or know someone who enjoys video games. In the gaming world, some of the all-time best-selling franchises (Call of Duty, Halo, and Borderlands) are shooters.
The idea behind this genre is simple to execute but hard to master- the player has a weapon and shoots enemies. Some enjoy taking on alien hordes. Others prefer war-themed games. Needless to say, it’s hard to deny the vast popularity of video game titles.
But, why? What makes these games so enjoyable? You’re about to find out. As it turns out, several important factors come into play when answering this question.
Video Games and Dopamine
A study found in a 1998 edition of Nature, a scientific journal, confirmed that playing video games releases the hormone and neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is called the feel-good hormone because of its role in people experiencing happiness.
It feels good to see achievement-related notifications, watch yourself making progress, and complete those mega-hard boss battles in video games. As you continue playing a shooter video game, your brain gets a steady release of dopamine that keeps you feeling great. Understandably, such an enjoyable and rewarding activity can be tough to stop voluntarily.
However, playing video games does much more than release dopamine. Gaming companies understand how to offer a suitable challenge that keeps players in the game without being too easy or difficult. This environment creates a rewarding experience.
The Social Element of Gaming
In the past, gamers had to wait until they could get their buddies in the same room to enjoy old-school shooters like Goldeneye or Quake. Now, with a stable internet connection, people can play their favorite shooters with millions of other gamers worldwide.
Modern gaming platforms can let gamers see who they’re playing with, send friend requests, and other activities to build and foster relationships with gamers around the world.
Gaming sessions let people fulfill their need for social interaction in a group or one-on-one setting. Not everyone online is friendly. However, as some people will tell you, friendships formed in video games can be some of the strongest and longest-lasting bonds.
Stoking a Competitive Fire
If you’re remotely competitive, video games can offer added immersion for their often competitive nature. Whether competing to take down bots or playing against other humans, the competition-based aspects of shooter games can keep people playing for hours at a time.
Also, most shooter video games utilize score-based systems and leaderboards. These factors allow gamers to receive recognition based on their skills while competing against others.
Technological Advancements
From anti-virus software to video games, ever-improving technology drives advancements in computing, gaming, and similar realms. Unless you just started gaming, you’ve likely seen this activity evolve in terms of graphics, gameplay, and sound. Advancements in technology and computing power can now yield incredibly life-like worlds and gaming experiences.
Early first-person shooter (FPS) games such as Wolfenstein 3D and Doom were fun and graphically impressive for their time. However, they weren’t nearly as realistic as some games are now. Modern gaming recently experienced another layer of immersion from virtual reality (VR) headsets created by Meta, Steam, and other tech companies.
Having an Incredible Range of Options
A little variety can make nearly any activity more enjoyable. Considering that, there’s never been a better time to play video games if you crave variety. From past hits to current popular titles, a world of shooter games exists.
Additionally, streaming game services like Playstation Plus and Xbox Game Pass let users pay a small monthly fee to unlock hundreds of games each month. There are even game boosting services that help gamers gain high-level characters fast.
As you find subgenres of shooter games to enjoy, it’s easy to find yourself putting lots of gaming hours in. You may find your new favorite type of game in the list below.
Popular shooter subgenres:
First-Person Shooters: Step into a first-person perspective in game series like Battlefield and Call of Duty.
Third-Person Shooters: Helldivers 2, Gears of War, and others let you see the character you control from a third-person perspective.
Battle Royale: Games like Warzone and Fortnite pits large groups of players against each other until the last person is standing.
Looter Shooters: Borderlands and Destiny lets gamers find all sorts of weapons and gear as they level up their characters to complete these games.
Millions of people have dreamed of being able to play video games as a career, a feat many couldn’t achieve without knowing a gaming-related trade. That’s no longer the case, especially when considering the rapid rise of esports.
It’s difficult to predict when esports officially began. However, it’s safe to say that this digital sport took off in 2010, the same year 260 esports tournaments happened worldwide. These events bring in millions of viewers who watch the world’s best players go against one another. With enough time and effort, you could find yourself achieving success in the esports world.
As you can see, shooter games offer an exciting experience that’s enjoyable whether playing solo, co-op, or competing against other players. And it doesn’t appear that gaming’s popularity will decline anytime soon. It’s safe to assume that gamers have plenty of upcoming shooter games designed to sink hundreds more hours into.
First-Person Shooters: Step into a first-person perspective in game series like Battlefield and Call of Duty.
Third-Person Shooters: Helldivers 2, Gears of War, and others let you see the character you control from a third-person perspective.
Battle Royale: Games like Warzone and Fortnite pits large groups of players against each other until the last person is standing.
It’s difficult to predict when esports officially began. However, it’s safe to say that this digital sport took off in 2010, the same year 260 esports tournaments happened worldwide. These events bring in millions of viewers who watch the world’s best players go against one another. With enough time and effort, you could find yourself achieving success in the esports world.
As you can see, shooter games offer an exciting experience that’s enjoyable whether playing solo, co-op, or competing against other players. And it doesn’t appear that gaming’s popularity will decline anytime soon. It’s safe to assume that gamers have plenty of upcoming shooter games designed to sink hundreds more hours into.
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