Locked down and quarantined in the comfort of their homes, millions of Indians have taken to online games as a mode of their entertainment, in addition to being connected with their friends. 

With the increase in the number of hours spent in front of their mobile and laptop screens, the country also saw a rise in the number of newer online games, in addition to better versions of older ones such as Ludo, Scrabble and so on. However, what will happen once people start venturing out of their homes in a post-COVID world?

What Are Online Games?

Online games are video games that are primarily played using the Internet. With the Coronavirus pandemic affecting the world this year, one of the only remaining social activities that people could engage in was online gaming. It helped people to remain connected with their near and dear ones.

Whether it was old-school favourites, such as crossword, scrabble or Ludo, or newer ones like escape rooms or PUBG, millions of Indians took to their mobile phones to spend hours playing one game or the other.

Not only was this a means to curb the boredom of staying inside their homes day in and day out, but it was also a way of creative socializing.

The Adoption Of Online Games During COVID-19: 

The pandemic brought the world to a halt, with people all over the globe losing their jobs, economies crashing and lockdowns being instated. The lockdown has forced humankind to innovate and change the way we not only live but work and play as well. 

With the practice of social distancing, reducing physical activity to a minimum, the presence of online games offers a distraction for people at home. 

While healthcare professionals are out there trying to find a proper cure for the disease, people are finding online games as one of the best ways to spend time, entertain themselves and remain connected. Since they now have a lot more time on their hands, even casual gamers are turning into serious ones. 

One of the biggest reasons why online gaming became such a trend is due to the introduction of multiplayer. The user engagement between the ages of 18 to 35 years also increased considerably during the lockdown. This is due to a few reasons:

• Online games tend to manage stress in an effective way
• They keep your brain active
• They challenge you to think innovatively

With a lot of people turning to other forms of entertainment to seek comfort and spend time, online game developers are also working to deliver some better games in a more personalised manner. 

What Is Ludo? Why Is It Famous?

As famous as Nintendo is to America, Ludo is a board game that has been played in India for centuries now. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic affected the country, ludo game online version has been available for people who play it for a long time. Several different digital versions of Ludo are there in the market. 

Being one of the most favourite board games for people of all age groups, Ludo has a fan base of over 100 million and is one of the most downloaded game in the different app stores. And most of these versions are completely free to download, which is even better!

One of the key reasons for the success of online Ludo in the country is the fact that even digitally, it is very simple to play. It consists of the typical ludo board, with up to four players taking turns throwing dice in a race to get their tokens to reach “home,” which is the centre of the board. 

The player who gets all his four tokens to home first wins the game. Online Ludo has been built with an appeal similar to that of its physical counterpart. The nostalgia related to it also attracts a lot more consumers. 

These online versions are the modernisation of the ancient board game, which has been based on the age-old Indian game of Pachisi. Digital versions of the game even have different play modes to choose from. Here, you can choose to play with your friends, with the computer, or with other players from around the world. 

Throughout the lockdown, statistics suggest that Ludo has been one of the most downloaded and played games in families, with children, adults and even the aged taking equal interest in it. 

What Can We Expect After COVID-19?

Now that the lockdown is easing up, and people are going back to their jobs, there is a lot that will change. However, the famous online games of today, such as Ludo, Nintendo or even Scrabble, due to their newly-increased engagement, retention and added features, are here to stay.

Moreover, habits that have been developed in the months of the lockdown are more likely to continue even post COVID. 

With online games thriving at the moment, it is highly unlikely that their downloads will decrease anytime soon. Moreover, since a majority of the people are still conforming to social distancing rules, staying inside mostly and going out only when it is necessary, the transition from playing online games to playing physical sports will take a long time. 

Looking at a future, in a post-COVID world, there is a greater interest in online gaming via mobile and other digital platforms of games that are both new and old. 

Since more famous online games are now offering users a chance to subscribe to added benefits and features, there is a scope of a wide monetisation avenue for such games. 

On the other hand, free online games are also giving users a chance to enjoy playing the game before convincing them to make any in-app purchases for upgrades and expansion. Additionally, many online games are now being advertised and promoted by known faces, including celebrities. 

The pandemic has popularised and normalized these games in an unpredictable manner. However, with a majority of the younger population still at home, the transfer of interest from traditional sports to online games will continue increasing. 

It is safe to say that in a post-COVID world, the famous online games of today, will still retain the same consumer base and interest as it does today.

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