As of June 2024, 52% of audiences in the United States video game industry were men, with the remaining 48% being women. In almost every region, you’d find that most participants in the gaming industry are males. Video games have been known to capture the feeling of being a man. That is, going on heroic journeys, saving the world, and overcoming numerous challenges. Given how accessible masculine self-actualization is with these games, it is no surprise to find men as the biggest audience across the board. Below are the most popular online video games amongst these gamers today.
Fortnite
Fortnite is one of the most played and loved games by players globally. A report from Statista shows that 83% of male gamers (in the U.S.) purchase downloadable content from this video game. This figure was the highest compared to other leading options like Call of Duty and League of Legends, amongst many others. It is a battle royale online multiplayer created by Epic Games in 2017. It is currently the #1 played in the genre, with over 350 million registered gamers so far. One major feature that has boosted Fortnite’s popularity among players is its unique building mechanism. The game also introduces some tactical and strategic elements, which increases the challenging nature for gamers. Strategy is always such a lure. And it deals not only with video gaming; the majority of online casino gaming platforms, such as ice casino, also offer table games based on a strategic approach.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox or survival genre game that comes next in line after Fortnite. It was released in 2011 and has had huge success since its launch. Minecraft has sold over 238 million copies in its years of operation. It is one of the few in the industry that gives participants true freedom and more opportunities to be creative. It allows its audience to modify the gameplay to their taste and personalize their experiences to get the best out of it. Over the years, the creators have also released newer versions and updates to improve the game’s quality. One of the coolest features of Minecraft is the “end cities” addition, which allows users to continue their journey even after beating the game.
Roblox
Roblox works a little differently from other games because it isn’t just a gaming site but an online platform that allows users to design, share, and play games created by other users. The platform is more reliant on user-generated content, and this is one of those factors fueling its popularity. Roblox offers over 50 million unique experiences created by 9.5 million developers across the globe. The options are limitless, and there’s always so much to choose from. The studio boasts more than 67 million active daily users and 210+ million monthly participants.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is a free-to-play shooter game released in 2022, with the intent of building on the success of the base release. It is one of the most recent releases of Blizzard Entertainment, with better graphics and new features introduced to improve the overall quality. Overwatch 2 features 30+ heroes, each with varying abilities. In this newly improved first-person shooter game, players get to choose their heroes, group up with friends, and fight challenging battles with their team. Blizzard continues to support Overwatch 2 with regular updates, new heroes, maps, and seasonal events to keep the game interesting and engaging for players. Overwatch 2 has seen millions of players each month since its launch. It recently crossed the 100 million lifetime player milestone in June 2024.
League of Legends
League of Legends is a top multiplayer online battle arena released in 2009. Here, a team of 2 players battle against each other, purchasing in-game items and features that could help them come out as champions. It emphasizes teamwork and strategy, with players taking on specific roles like Top Laner, Mid Laner, Jungler, AD Carry, and Support. League of Legends has received numerous generous reviews since it was launched and has accounted for over 180 million monthly active players as of 2022. The figure has retained its consistency over time and sometimes ranges between 140-160 million monthly active users.
Driving Force Behind Online Games’ Popularity
One thing most of these listed games have in common is that they offer the best experiences to players. Hence, they record millions of active users monthly; they are also highly rewarding and create a sense of achievement that some people are unable to attain in the real world. Lastly, they are online and accessible on mobile devices. As mobile connectivity and smartphone ownership increases in popularity, it has become easier for players to access these games.