Beginners Guide to Digital Gaming

According to experts, the popularity of gaming is now so high that the industry itself will likely generate revenues of almost $2 billion before the end of 2022.

This surging interest in playing games online hasn't just come from lifelong gamers. Instead, people from a variety of demographics and backgrounds have now discovered – or rediscovered – a passion for digital gaming.

Admittedly, with so much variety on offer, both in terms of the types of games you can play and how you can play them, it can be overwhelming for beginners starting out in digital gaming. That's why we've put together this guide that will tell you everything you need to know, from gaming devices to the best gaming experiences.

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What Gaming Hardware do I Need?

First things first, you need to decide which device – or devices – you enjoy using to play games. Today, we're spoilt for choice when it comes to different ways to play games. No longer are we bound to using home entertainment consoles; instead, we can get our hands on the latest premium games on the go or play on cutting-edge bespoke gaming PCs or laptops.

While there's no right or wrong way to play digital games, some methods might work better for you than others. If you just want to play games occasionally and aren't too fussed about getting your hands on the latest technology, then your humble smartphone can easily double up as a way to play a great selection of titles relatively hassle-free.

If, however, you see yourself spending more time playing games, then investing in a console or gaming PC is undoubtedly the way to go.

Gaming Consoles

Like pretty much every other consumer device in widespread use today, gaming consoles are internet compatible and can be used to play digital games online. Popular consoles, such as the Xbox One or PlayStation 4, can cost between £200 to £250. In contrast, the latest generations of consoles are much higher in price, starting at around £500 - although the PS5 is currently sold out at a number of retailers.

While you can play online games either via console subscription services or cloud gaming platforms, consoles can't compete with PCs for the variety of gaming experiences you can access.

Gaming PCs

There's a common misconception among newbies to the gaming world that PCs have prohibitive costs. While it's true that bespoke gaming rigs are high-end machines and come with relevant price tags, for anyone getting started with PC gaming, a budget machine will more than meet their requirements.

Gamer brands like ASUS, Origin and Alienware are intended for long-term players and those looking to turn pro. They also pack a lot of power and features into their design – much more than you would need, especially if you'll only be using a PC for light gaming use. Instead, you can get better value by investing in a gaming-ready PC from high-street manufacturers like Dell or HP. Plus, for just a few hundred pounds, you could get a PC that doubles up as a home computer as well as a way to play games.

What Games Can I Play?

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The more appropriate question would be, 'what games can't I play?', especially if you're using a PC or laptop. There's an overwhelming amount of games available in the digital realm, from free games you can play in a browser to the latest AAA games on marketplaces like Steam.You can even play traditional card games online like poker and blackjack, plus there are plenty of resources that make it possible to delve into the rules of poker, blackjack or whatever game you're interested in.

Free games are the most accessible to begin your gaming journey with, and you'll find plenty to choose from online, whatever genre you're interested in. Free-to-play games run the gamut from major eSports titles like Fornite and League of Legends to retro games such as Pac-Man.

As you begin to play more regularly and develop interests in other gaming genres, checking out cloud gaming services such as Amazon Luna or Shadow will give you greater access to top games - and you'll be able to play them on multiple devices, too.

Samuel Daniel

Update 14 December 2022