Home » Features

New Show at NEC is a 'Hot Ticket' for Gamers

The world has gone gaming crazy, with figures showing that eight in 10 households own at least one games console. Add to this the explosion of online gaming (where you can find everything from slot games to virtual pillow fights) and it seems that everyone is playing something.

Gaming industry figures, from GfK ChartTrack (which monitor sales of hardware) only include third generation modern consoles, not older consoles.

Third generation consoles include Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. With these consoles so popular, new gaming show '~Gamefest' at Birmingham's NEC is sure to be a hot ticket for gaming enthusiasts.

Launched by UK video game retailer GAME, this new gaming consumer show is due to be held during the middle of September.

Proving to be even more popular than traditional console gaming, however, is online gaming. With 10 billion social networking or online world accounts open at the end of 2010, online games have boomed in popularity.

Facebook games such as FarmVille, Cafe World and Texas Hold 'Em Poker have millions of users worldwide. In fact, FarmVille alone has been reported to have over 32 million users daily.

When you compare that with the best selling game of 2010, Call of Duty: Black Ops, which sold 18.88 million copies throughout the entire year, it's not difficult to see that online games are winning the battle of the gaming platforms.

The wide variety of games available, at low or no cost, means that there's an online game for everyone. Whether you enjoy brain-teasing puzzle games, role-playing games or casino games like slots, it's all there at the touch of a button or the click of a mouse.

Those who prefer the excitement of playing games for money will find many good casino sites online.

Featuring all the most popular casino table games, as well as fun, themed slot machines, casino sites are a great way to enjoy the thrill of the casino from the comfort of your own home.

Much of the appeal of online games is that they are normally either free or very inexpensive; when you consider that the cost of a typical console game can be in excess of £40, they represent very good value.

Free casino games can also be found online, for those who simply enjoy the experience of playing without adding a betting element.

Some people, though, prefer the excitement of playing casino games for money. In this case, there are games to be found online starting from as little as 1p.

As well as casino games, bingo and poker websites are also popular. Many people are turning their backs on traditional hall-based bingo in favour of online bingo games.

It's hardly surprising that people prefer to find their entertainment in the home, as increasing basic living costs mean less money available for fun and games.

A tight budget needn't prevent you from gaming, though, with many games available to download instantly for free.

The instant nature of online games is also appealing in today's busy society; why bother searching out the latest console game when you can see at a glance the latest online games that your friends are playing?

Social networking plays a huge part in which online games become popular and which don't. Many of these games have a communal feel, encouraging you to invite your online friends to play.

Word of popular new games can spread around the world in a matter of minutes, giving gamers the satisfaction of feeling part of something current and exciting.

Sometimes, however, nothing beats settling down for a good console session, and the new wave of console games means that console gaming is no longer mainly the domain of young men.

Nintendo has been at the forefront of creating games for all ages, with the family-friendly Wii console. On a Wii you can enjoy activities as diverse as a game of golf, feeding a virtual pet or skiing down a mountainside. You can dance, skip, box, race and play guitar, and that's just for starters.

Guy Cocker, a gaming expert at Gamespot, told the Telegraph that: "Nintendo has transformed the whole market, helped by its marketing, which has won over a lot of new gamers: women and, especially, older gamers. Even my parents are thinking of buying a Wii."

Console games are perfect for when you want to make a meal out of gaming. In that case, pay a visit to Gamefest at the NEC to find out about all the latest releases for your favourite console.

Sometimes, though, gamers just want a quick snack, and this is when online games come into their own. The pot noodle of the gaming world, an online game is quick, easy and hugely enjoyable.