Have gamers ever had it quite as good as they do now? So many different types of games are available on PlayStation and a host of other platforms these days, with this wide array meaning there is simply something out there for everyone.
The huge technological strides seen in recent years also mean that high quality, immersive graphics have become the norm, giving people the chance to forget about daily life and absorb themselves in gripping storylines set in faraway lands.
However, despite what is now possible, it is fascinating that one of the most popular trends of current times actually harks back to a very traditional and frankly old-school pastime – the simple act of collecting and playing with cards.
Big business
Digital collectible card games have become big business in recent years, with Hearthstone, for example, becoming a massive hit since its launch back in 2014. Incredibly, in 2018 PCGamesN reported that the game had reached the milestone of having 100 million players, acquiring around 30 million in just 18 months in order to reach that figure.
Such games have become so popular that major gaming franchises have even chosen to spin-off into the digital card realm. For example, the card game Gwent famously started life in The Witcher series but has become a mobile title in its own right, launching on Android at the end of March this year.
Furthermore, the hugely popular League of Legends franchise has also spawned Legends of Runeterra, a strategy card game created for PC and mobile which allows players to build decks of characters and then use them to take on opponents in combat. While a closed beta has been held earlier this year, the title is expected to launch fully in the coming months.
Cards on consoles
Yet, while digital collectible card games are clearly a big deal in modern gaming, it is fair to say that the genre has not really found a home in the world of PlayStation yet. This in itself is rather intriguing, particularly considering other forms of card gaming have found a home on the consoles through the years.
For example, casino gaming has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years thanks to online versions of famous card games like blackjack and poker becoming hugely popular. Furthermore, table games are also thriving, with this site highlighting how many domains offer people the chance to play online roulette for free or real money. The interest in this type of gaming has had an impact on the PlayStation world, with specialist titles like Four Kings Casino giving players the chance to sample a simulated casino-style experience.
Furthermore, card games have also gone on to play a role in two blockbusting titles from Rockstar Games too. Both titles in the Red Dead Redemption series featured poker as a mini-game, while card games made a splash in a major way on Grand Theft Auto Online last year as part of the Diamond Resort and Casino update. The latter proved to be a huge hit with gamers, with The Hollywood Reporter outlining how it helped GTA Online achieve its biggest player numbers since its launch back in October 2013.
Time for change?
So, considering other forms of card gaming have found a place on PlayStation in recent years, could now be the time for collectible games to become more common on the consoles?
Considering such games tend to have a fantasy theme similar to the style of titles that have thrived on PC through the decades, it makes sense that they have done so well in that space. In addition, the general gameplay is arguably suited to mobile too. However, if their popularity continues to grow at the rate seen in recent times, the chances are that those in console gaming will soon start looking at ways to get involved.
Furthermore, if the franchises that have spawned some of these card games make a move onto consoles, it might be the case that the latter then follow. For example, the world of League of Legends is expected to come to consoles later this year with Wild Rift. If that proves to be a success, what are the chances that Legends of Runeterra may make a move into the space at some point too?
Interesting times ahead
The gaming world is full of a huge amount of variety these days, but digital collectible card games are undoubtedly performing strongly.
It will be fascinating to see whether consoles continue to focus on other genres in the future or whether developers will ultimately give in and embrace the trend in the months and years ahead.