We often take the simple pleasure of gaming for granted, now this pastime has become so popularly embraced in modern society. The digital age has brought new and exciting ways to find engaging entertainment, whether we take our gaming seriously or simply wish to pass the time of day, plus it’s more accessible to the masses than ever before.
For many of the most promising tech startups in Australia, gaming has become a central part of their enterprise, turning the country itself into something as an international games development hub. But part of their inspiration comes from classic and established ideas, taking the best concepts from classic and historic gaming, then converting those ideas into something that modern audiences will enjoy.
Spinning reels made the technical switch
When mechanical slot machines were invented in America, they soon made the journey to Australian shores by the 1890s, based on historic references to the first gambling machines in Melbourne and Sydney. These simply featured poker cards glued to spinning reels, hence the “pokies” name that remains popular Down Under today, rather than the “slots” name used in many countries elsewhere. This term was literally coined around where money was inserted.
Over the decades pokies evolved from the clunky mechanical devices in pubs and clubs, becoming electronical machines filled with circuitry and flashing lights. Then came video gaming cabinets, placing all the fun of slots and pokies on screens, accompanied by vibrant sound effects and music. Needless to say, the rise of the internet and mobile technology took this to an entirely new level.
By far the most popular selection of games at casino sites, the choice of pokies available is quite literally endless, filled with games covering practically every kind of genre and theme we could possibly imagine. But we can save plenty time by searching top reviews for online Australian pokies, accompanied by the latest recommendations and advice, highlighting the safest and most trusted options available.
Although classic icons continue to feature on the spinning reels, almost paying homage to the original gaming concept, modern pokies are actually diverse when it comes to themes and ideas. This includes games based around popular movies and music, plus other entertainment genres to suit practically every taste. In fact, some of the most innovative games come from Australia, due to the flourishing tech industry that is quickly expanding.
Now every Aussie can play sports
Let’s be completely honest, we’re not all blessed with the same physical prowess of our favourite sporting icons. This means that for most of us, getting involved with sports usually revolves around watching and supporting our favourite teams, rather than directly participating ourselves. We can’t all be top tennis pros or Aussie Rules players, can we?
Well, there is the option to pretend we are. Games themed around sports have been around for some time, dating back to some of the earliest computer games, although they too have evolved. Largely thanks to technological breakthroughs, we can play as iconic sporting personalities or even create our own, delving into the top sporting competitions around the world.
Primarily based in the city of Melbourne, games developer Big Ant Studios was originally founded in 2001. Since then, the company has flourished and become a prominent name associated with Aussie sports games. These include the AO Tennis series, plus the upcoming Cricket 24 and Rugby 24 titles due next year, with AFL 23 already released to critical acclaim.
Indeed, part of the appeal surrounding these games is quite simple. Normal people now have the possibility to become eSports celebrities themselves, participating in both national and global tournaments, whether hosted online or networked at venues around the world. Best of all, you don’t need to be super fit and healthy to participate. Just pick up a gaming pad or mobile device, and get connected.
Old ideas with a new lease of life
Both of these examples make one thing perfectly clear. Now matter how old the gaming concept may be, there’s always an opportunity to explore how to revolutionise the genre, embracing new technologies to bring them a newfound lease of life. This opens up the possibility for modern audiences to get engaged.
Wagering and sports are also hugely popular among Australians, therefore by tapping into both arenas, game developers have delved into strong and existing demographics. Pokies are now more popular than ever before, given that people remain fascinated by the spinning reels. The same applies to sport, as fans and followers look for new and exciting ways to interact more directly, with gaming providing the best options.
