was Honor of Kings, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. But slot-style games remain popular, with items such as Moon Active’s Coin Master still in the top five per Sensor Tower. Games have been present in our society for as long as we can account for. Popular options such as backgammon, checkers, chess and Go have been played for millennia. Board games, such as Monopoly and Scrabble, have been staples for decades. Prior to the internet linking our computers, being able to play on one’s machine offered a new gaming experience. As internet access caught on, people began to play each other in a widening gaming genre that grew as fast as developers could work. Players were trying their hand with simple, casual games that they’ve enjoyed for years, as well as mastering new, complex ones. Several groups stepped into that market. Alongside computers, there were standalone consoles as well as handheld devices that provided ways to play video games against each other. Developers built virtual worlds that spawned massive multiplayer online games such as World of Warcraft and Runescape. The gaming industry was loose and pushing well past old boundaries. The old disadvantages of limited computing power were growing into advantages as technology progressed and internet accessibility spread. As a result, mobile and social gaming would explode. With growing smartphone adoption rates, playing social and casual games became a societal norm. Despite storage and memory limits, mobile games are constantly improving with graphics, performance and gameplay. Young and old generations alike are embracing their phones. According to App Annie, H1 of 2021 struck a record $64.9 billion in mobile gross consumer spend, with $44.7 billion coming via games. Games such as Angry Birds, Candy Crush and Clash of Clans had promotional content everywhere, with retail merchandise appearing as holiday gifts. Playing social and casual games on mobile devices became a normal part of life. All-in-all, the social gaming market continues to grow alongside the general population with the use of social media, internet accessibility, improved smartphones and crossmarketing platforms. Providers have done well to integrate modern trends into their plans, and revenues are soaring. Real-money gaming sites serve a dual purpose. For the player, those who prefer playing games in a competitive environment with money on the line get their channel. For the operators, these games provide a gateway to other forms of real-money gaming, allowing several opportunities to convert players into customers of other verticals. 38 Sponsored by Casino City’s iGaming Pocket Directory GAMES
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