The Online Games Popular in Lockdown and Beyond

When the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated the implantation of lockdowns, life became unrecognizable, with many of the hobbies and social events we had known before rendered impossible. But online gaming came into its own, providing an endless variety of entertainment that we could enjoy without needing to leave home. With many of the games having a social element, it was also a way to keep in touch with the friends and family we could not see in person. While some discovered online gaming for the first time, others had the time to discover a raft of new games. And in many cases, the popularity of these games remained, even as the world opened up once again.

Among Us

Among Us wasn’t a new game when the pandemic struck, as it had been released in 2018. But during lockdowns, the game’s social elements helped boost its popularity. It can be played with strangers across the world, but it was also a good opportunity for friends to play together during lockdowns. Through teamwork, players must find the imposter before they kill everyone on board, but who can be trusted when one of the team is the imposter?

Animal Crossing and Other new Worlds

Animal Crossing: New Horizons was released by Nintendo for the Switch in March 2020. As lockdowns prevented travel, it is easy to see why this chance to create and explore new worlds became popular. Again, it may have been the social element that boosted its popularity. People were able to visit the towns of friends, relatives, or strangers who shared their code, and some even celebrated birthday parties in this virtual world. But perhaps also, this quirky world of animals and fruit trees provided a dose of much-needed escapism from the grim reality of a global pandemic.

Minecraft was well established before the pandemic, but this has performed a similar role for children and adults alike, with an endless new world to explore, both alone and with friends.

Casino Games

As physical casinos were forced to close and we could not even gather at a friend’s house for a poker game, online casinos filled a void with the thrills of a physical casino and chat rooms providing a social element. Providing a raft of games including slot machines, roulette wheels, and poker, these casinos offered real financial rewards, as well as the excitement rivaling anything a physical casino can offer.

As well as the traditional games, casinos also offered spin-offs allowing players new experiences. Bingo is an excellent example of this, with the conventional game remaining popular in the online venues, but different versions such as Slingo (bingo with slots) also proving popular. For those new to Slingo, bingoonline.com is a good place to read slingo reviews and find out the best places to play this exciting new game.

Battle Royale and war Games

Escapism doesn’t have to be to an idyllic world, as the popularity of Battle Royale and war games prove. Fortnite, Apex Legends, PUBG, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike are some of the most popular games of 2021, with demand for high-level Fortnite accounts peaking since then. These immersive multi-player games are packed with challenges that easily keep us distracted for a while from the many problems the pandemic has caused.