The digital age has seen immense growth in the online gaming industry. Games have always been loved by people of every age group but easier access to the internet, changing lifestyles, and ever-improving technology have made online gaming a popular niche all over the globe.
Online games played include online fantasy sports and multiplayer games. Multiplayer games have grown in popularity and are dominating the market because they connect people from all over the world.
Playing games with others has always been what makes gaming fun and online multiplayer games ensure that you never run out of people to play with. A person in another country who can not sleep at night can play with another who is already up. The possibilities are endless as the internet has removed almost all limitations.
Some people love games for their entertainment value while others love them for the joy gotten when they beat their opponents. Still, there are others who love it for the exciting rush it gives them, like from the prediction of the ups and downs of sports.
Online games are constantly becoming a critical part of gaming culture as they transverse a vast array of consoles ranging from smartphones to PCs, to actual gaming consoles. This has enabled anyone regardless of their budget able to partake in the joy that is online gaming.
In no particular order, here are the best online games for 2020
Best Online Games for 2020
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG)
Developed by: PUBG Corporation
Consoles: Xbox, iOS, PC, Android, PlayStation 4
Launch Date: December 20, 2017
This can be considered the most popular online game of 2020. This game took the internet by storm and is still attracting more players by the day. The game is based on previous mods like armor and H1Z1 that were created by its director, Brendan Greene.
It is a multiplayer battle royale game in which up to one hundred players parachute onto a remote abandoned island and must scavenge for weapons and equipment with which to kill the other players via any means necessary and at the same time avoiding getting killed. The last player or team alive wins a round.
The game is popular due to its graphics and real situation map which decreases overtime to push surviving players into tighter spaces to ensure encounters. It is also popular because its type of gameplay is easily approachable by players irrespective of skill level.
The game has received generally positive reviews and has won a sizable number of awards.
Fortnite Battle Royale
Developed by: Epic Games
Consoles: Xbox, iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4
Launch Date: July 25, 2017
The game released in 2017 did not really become a rage until 2018. Even with that, it is still garnering popularity like its counterpart, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). What it lacks in popularity it more than makes up for in features, game stages, and equipment.
It is a free-to-play strategic action game in which up to one hundred players are dropped from a “Battle Bus” which crosses the game map and they must scavenge for weapons, equipment, resources and sometimes even vehicles with which to kill the other players via any means necessary and at the same time avoiding getting killed.
Its gameplay strategy is almost the same as that of PUBG. Players can either decide to play solo, or in a duo, or in a squad which is usually three or four players. The last player, duo, or squad left standing wins.
Fortnite Battle Royale was a major financial success for Epic Games. It has also become a cultural online phenomenon, with a lot of athletes and celebrities playing the game. The game has also been nominated and won a number of awards.
Apex Legends
Developed by: Respawn Entertainment
Consoles: Xbox, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
Launch Date: February 4, 2019
Players who like battlefield games but do not play PUBG and Fortnite will definitely gravitate towards this game. It is a battle royale game just like PUBG and Fortnite but with an added twist. It was released without any prior marketing or even announcements, but it has managed to draw an amazing number of players.
In the game up to 20 three-person squads are dropped on an island and scavenge for supplies and weapons with which they use to defeat other players in combat. Players can decide to play with friends or are matched randomly with other players. Then they select one of 13 characters (called legends) which have unique personalities that provide different playstyles for the team.
The last squad left standing even without its complete members is crowned the “Apex Champions”. The game uses an ingenious ping communication system which allows players to communicate using their game controllers.
Eight hours after its launch, the game gathered more than a million players. The game in its short time has been a recipient of more than 5 awards.
League of Legends (LOL)
Developed by: Riot Games
Consoles: PC
Launch Date: October 27, 2009
League of Legends is an online multiplayer battle arena video game developed by Riot games. The game despite being an old one is still a fan favorite. Its fan base has grown exponentially and as of July 2012, it was the most played game in all of North America and Europe, logging in a tremendous amount of game time.
Players control champions, which are either chosen or assigned, and who have a set of unique abilities. The game comprises of two maps to choose from. In the past, it had two additional maps but these maps have since been discontinued.
As of January 2020, there were 148 champion types in the game. On its launch, the game received generally favorable reviews and it has won a number of awards.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Developed by: Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment
Consoles: PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3
Launch Date: August 21, 2012
This is an online multiplayer first-person shooter game. The game divides players into two teams: the terrorists and the counter-terrorists. Both teams are to eliminate the other while also completing separate objectives like diffusing or planting bombs, securing locations, and guarding hostages.
Since it was released, the game has drawn an estimate of 11 million players per month.
Call of Duty: Mobile
Developed by: TiMi studios and Tencent Games
Consoles: Android, iOS
Launch Date: October 1, 2019
It is a free-to-play first-person shooter game. It was one of the largest mobile game launches in history. It comprises of many playable characters, maps, and game modes from the previous games of the series.
Players choose to play either a ranked or non-ranked match. It also has a battle royale mode that contains up to 100 players per game. Players can choose to play alone or as part of a team of two or four players.
The game has received two awards and as of June 2020 had been downloaded over 250 million times.
Hearthstone
Developed by: Blizzard Entertainment
Consoles: Android, iOS, PC
Launch Date: March 11, 2014
This game is not like the others on this list. It is an online digital card collectible game. It builds on the warcraft series and uses the same elements, relics, and characters.
It also allows players on any supported console to compete with each other. This feature is called cross-platform play. The game is a turn-based card game between two players, who use constructed decks of 30 cards along with a selected hero who has a unique power.
As of November 2018, the game reported more than 100 million players. It has become a popular esport with prize tournaments. It is considered one of the best card games ever
Minecraft
Developed by: Mojang Studios
Consoles: PC
Launch Date: November 18, 2011
It is a 3d sandbox video game. It can be considered as the best-selling video game ever. As of March 2020, it had 126 million monthly users.
The game allows players to explore a blocky 3D world, discover and excavate raw materials, craft tools, and build structures. It also gives players the ability to modify the game thereby creating new gameplay mechanics and items.
The game is critically acclaimed and is cited as being among the greatest and most influential games. It has won several awards and was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame in June 2020.
The Splatoon 2
Developed by: Nintendo Entertainment
Consoles: Nintendo Switch
Launch Date: July 21, 2017
This is a third-person shooter game. Players control characters which are known as inklings or octolings. Colored ink is used as ammunition, to cover the ground and any paintable surface. The inklings and octolings are able to morph between a humanoid form and a squid form.
This sequel adds new weapons to the game lie dual-wield pistols and shotgun-like weapons. Two four -player teams are given three minutes to cover the most ground in their ink.
It has won two awards and debuted second on the UK software sales chart. The game has received generally favorable reviews and is rated high.
