If you take a look at the stats behind the global gaming industry, they’re pretty jaw-dropping. Even for an era of entertainment that is squarely focused on gaming and eSports, the numbers are meteoric. For example, it’s estimated that nearly 3.10 billion people worldwide game—which means close to half of our population on Earth enjoys gaming.
Asia alone is home to 1.5 billion of those gamers. By 2027, economic experts estimate that the global gaming industry could be worth up to $312 billion worldwide. For context, the current global music industry is worth only $25.5 billion, while FIFA is worth around $3.5 billion. To say the industry is growing might be an understatement.
But as with any new massive fad, there’s plenty of misinformation to wade through. As the industry becomes more established in its various sectors, from streaming to developing to eSports leagues, there are bound to be a few questions. If you’re new to gaming, you may already have a few preconceived notions about what this world is like.
Let’s explore some of the biggest myths in gaming sectors of all stripes, including some topics you may not have thought of before.
Myth #1: Casino Games Don’t Involve Strategy
Just like traditional video games, casino games have a huge market worldwide. In fact, some analysts estimate that the industry will be worth $144 billion by 2028, which puts it close on par with competitive gaming. And while there’s an element of chance involved with each game, that doesn’t mean players don’t use strategies to play.
Even slots, which involve a spinning reel and winning payout combinations, involve an element of analysis and consideration. When looking at their mechanics, you’ll notice something called RTP. This stands for ‘return to player’ and signals what a player should win according to 100 spins, which is written as a percentage. Only savvy slots players know to target games with an RTP of at least 95% or higher.
Myth #2: All FPS Games are Basically the Same
First-person shooter or FPS games are one of the most popular games on the market. These games require players to shoot down the competition with a high degree of speed and accuracy—which means that some spectators falsely believe all these games are the same.
However, a title like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive challenges players in different ways than one like DOOM. CS: GO, for example, focuses on more tactical aspects of shooting and teamwork, while DOOM is more focused on high-octane action and horror themes.
Myth #3: Only High-End PCs Perform Well
PC gaming is one of the most charged topics in the gaming industry. That’s because PC gamers have been dubbed as the brainier and more hands-on players, while console players are grouped into a more ‘basic’ category. The idea is that PC gamers will tinker with their hardware until it’s an unbeatable machine, preventing lag and boosting latency.
But that’s not always the case. Spending upwards of $1,500 on a PC gaming setup doesn’t necessarily mean players will perform better. Neither will using peripherals like keyboards and mice from the same brand. In reality, the key to success is a solid internet connection—which usually involves a highly affordable ethernet cable.
Myth #4: Mobile Games Aren’t eSports
Mobile gaming has been the latest hit in the gaming industry. While most early eSports games focused on PC and console players, there are dozens of competitions (mostly in Southeast Asia) that bring together teams of competitive mobile gamers. Similarly, Twitch TV and similar platforms now showcase mobile streamers and competitions, adding more visibility to the sector.
While you might think that mobile gaming is on a lower echelon than its counterparts, that’s not the case. First, there are ‘legacy publishers’, or established video game publishers, that are creating mobile games specifically. Second, mobile devices are now equipped for long gaming sessions. Third, spectatorship for mobile gaming is steadily on the rise, leading to more fan engagement and growth.
Myth #5: Gaming Isn’t for Adults
Let’s shift away from the myths tacked on to specific types of games. Now, let’s focus on one of the greatest and longest-running misconceptions in the industry: who it’s geared toward. Over the last two decades, the idea that gaming isn’t for adults has slowly changed. This is, in part, thanks to gamers from the 1980s and 90s growing up and taking on more senior positions in the industry, leaving their mark as adult gamers in order to reach other adult gamers.
This is further backed up by the availability of adult gaming platforms and even consoles. For example, Nintendo spearheaded the next generation of handheld gaming technology with its Nintendo Switch. However, the branding was clearly geared toward younger audiences. In 2022, Steam followed up with its very own Steam Deck, a handheld that has since become a top choice for adult gamers.