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    When we think of ways to entertain ourselves, one of the first things that comes to mind is scrolling through social media. After all, we’ve never been as connected as we are today thanks to it! 

    But apart from letting us contact loved ones and entertain ourselves, it often also presents a constant barrage of information that may be unwanted. So, for those looking for a reprieve from real life… it might be time to explore something else to help you unwind!

    Gaming

    As per the latest data, there are currently over three billion gamers globally. That means it’s one of the most widespread hobbies. And one of the reasons why the number of gamers is rising is its incredible ability to aid people looking to escape their real-world troubles!

    Browser Games

    Not everyone is willing to invest in a gaming device to play games, especially if they’re not avid players. But browser games may change your mind without forcing you to fully commit to the hobby. These games allow you to play directly from your web browser and are typically far less demanding when it comes to both performance and storage.

    With browser games, you don’t have to sacrifice anything, including variety, as you’ll have plenty of options to explore. As an example, we’ll be taking a look at online casinos, which offer a solid library of games.

    For those who have never accessed such platforms before, these sites offer digitized casino games like blackjack. As long as you have an internet connection, you’ll be able to access the available options regardless of your location. This means that you can play games like online blackjack in Canada or Nigeria or any other corner of the world you may want to. This lack of geographical barriers allows more people to enjoy online blackjack, among other casino games, and it introduces the genre to more modern generations.

    And the digitized variant of blackjack follows the same concept as its analog variant. Here, you play against the dealer, trying to get as close to 21 as possible without going bust.

    Even under this one category of card games, you’ll find a wide range of options. For those who want to play something more traditional, they can go with Classic Blackjack, while those who want to try out something with more of a twist may find Zappit Blackjack to be more suitable. There’s also the option to go for a game of live dealer blackjack with a real human host for a hyper-realistic experience.

    To add to the above, thanks to advancements made in mobile gaming, you also get the chance to play on your smartphone or tablet. This makes it a more accessible option compared to video games, although they do still have plenty of pros that outweigh this con.

    Video Games

    This category of games is better suited for those who own consoles or a gaming PC. The investment in such devices will be rewarded accordingly with some pretty stellar options.

    If you’re using a PC, your best bet would be to install a video game distribution app like Steam, while console users will have access to a store available directly on their device, no installation or research required.

    The games you’ll find will vary from indie gems to major AAA titles, ensuring there’s something for everyone. One great option from the former category would be Undertale; as for the latter, we’d highly recommend checking out Divinity Original Sin 2.

    Streaming Services

    Streaming services have been a game changer when it comes to how we consume media. And this is yet another fantastic way to stave off boredom and immerse yourself in something new.

    TV Shows and Movies

    One of the most popular platforms available to date is Netflix, and for good reason. Here you can find anything from Hollywood TV shows to international releases like movies produced by Nollywood.

    And there is plenty of competition that has fueled the industry to produce some spectacular movies and shows. Namely, Disney+ and Amazon Prime have been giving Netflix the run for its money.

    You also have the option to enjoy independent platforms like Dropout. This streaming service focuses on improv comedy along with live play, catering to a more niche group of people. 

    Podcasts

    To round this off, we have to mention podcasts. They can usually be found on specific apps, along with music streaming platforms like YouTube Music and Spotify. And this option features just as much variety as the aforementioned ones.

    For instance, if you’re a fan of sports like baseball, you can easily locate a podcast that will regale you with the latest and greatest about teams like the Toronto Blue Jays. These will usually discuss in depth how the team is doing along with predictions regarding future matches.

    Many times, you’ll also find that these podcasters also post on YouTube, offering a more visual alternative. Of course, the choice is completely yours if you want to stick to a more aural experience or not.

    Conclusion

    There’s something comforting about acknowledging the fact that regardless of where you are, there’s a whole world of fun just a click away. So, if you need some time off from the hubbub of reality, make sure to check out one of our top suggestions.

  • Over the years, Nollywood has given us stellar movies like Lionheart, Blood Vessel, and King of Thieves, which have broken records and language barriers. The industry has given us different storylines on different platforms, with more movies debuting first in cinema before finding a home on one of the two streaming giants in Nigeria – Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video.

    Calculate the amount of money made from ticket sales and whatever the streaming service will pay for streaming rights real quick.

    The Yoruba branch of Nollywood seems to have seen the performance of these “big production” movies that debut in cinema and have decided to pitch their tent there. 

    Mainstream Nollywood seems to have mastered the art of hiding behind these big productions and bigger names to deliver stories that leave you at a loss for words, wondering what you could’ve possibly done to deserve such treatment. 

    While Mainstream has been doing this for years, the Yoruba branch’s insistence on breaking in with the cinema crowd has only become obvious in the last year, with back-to-back cinema releases from industry OGs like Femi Adebayo (King of Thieves), Odunlade Adekola (Orisa), Jaiye Kuti (Alagbede), and Toyin Abraham (Ijakumo).

    READ: The Latest Yoruba Movies You Should See in 2024

    These movies get the audience’s attention with big premieres and interesting marketing strategies, causing people to flock to watch them on release only to return with mouths full of questions regarding the storyline, acting, and general quality.

    Naturally, this has us moaning and groaning every time a new movie is released, but maybe this issue affects the entire industry, not just this branch.

    Here’s why

    On multiple occasions, Nigerians have come out to complain about the lack of authentic stories about the reality of the average Nigerian, their experiences, and culture, as well as their tiredness at the continuous portrayal of flamboyant displays of wealth and the Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge – all of which are actually part of the Nigerian experience – on their screens.

    Nollywood has obviously taken this to heart and tried its hands at something new, but just because the action genre, language-speaking epics, and the theme of police brutality work for some doesn’t mean they’ll work for others. 

    The industry needs to realize that the audience has grown tired of seeing the same storylines with the same faces in the same settings. It’s time for the industry and all its branches to return to the drawing board and figure out how to tell stories in ways that don’t leave the audience questioning their sanity.

    Yoruba language films may currently be offering us poor-quality entertainment on multiple distribution platforms (cinema and streaming services) in exchange for our time and money, but this isn’t a problem peculiar to them. 

    The entire industry moves as though it could care less for its audience, almost like they’re poking, prodding, and daring us, trying to see how much they can get away with in plotlines, costume, location, makeup, and VFX. At this point, we might need to stop complaining, get down on our knees, and beg industry stakeholders of all the branches (Mainstream, Yoruba, Asaba, Kannywood, Abuja, etc) to have mercy on us and start caring about the art that comes within the business of filmmaking.