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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.

  • 1) Tomb Raider

    Long before Angelina Jolie bodied the role, all we had was this square-boobed, pixelated woman running around in a tank top and bum shorts, shooting everything in her path with two pistols that somehow never ran out of ammunition. Fun times.

    2) Driver

    What killed me about this game was that the makers took the name literally. The game might as well have been about a sentient car (à la Knight Rider) because there was no human protagonist. Well, no visible human protagonist anyway. He couldn’t get out of the car.

    3) Jackie Chan: Stunt Master

    Arguably one of the best games on PS1. The plot was mostly Jackie Chan kung-fu fighting his way through a horde of vaguely Asian henchman so he could reach the final boss at the end. What more could you possibly want from a Jackie Chan video game?

    4) Crash Team Racing (CTR):

    Crash Team Racing was Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s Mario Kart. It pretty much had the same gameplay but featured different characters from the Crash Bandicoot universe. Super fun stuff.

    5) Winning Eleven

    The commentators in PS1 Winning Eleven games spoke Japanese but that didn’t stop Nigerians from playing the hell out of them. As a kid, nothing made me happier than creating an entire team from scratch, increasing all their abilities to the highest, then starting a league on easy mode, leaving me to score 20 or more goals against every team I played against.

  • A belief shared by many parents is that video games are bad for children because they’re just addictive sources of entertainment. That’s not true. Even though it might not look like it, children gain a lot of skills from playing video games. Let’s talk about 4 of them.

    1) It encourages reading.

    Because games have a fun factor, a child who is reluctant to open a traditional book will be more open to reading if a game they’re playing contains text instructions.

    2) It improves their problem-solving abilities.

    Many games involve things like puzzles and mysteries, offering players a chance to focus on solving a problem using planning, organisation, and flexible thinking.

    3) It enhances their coordination.

    A lot of video games require players to move joysticks and press buttons while observing various things on the screen that are important to their success in the game.

    4) It develops their social skills.

    Multi-player games (in reality or online) encourage players to engage in constant communication, leading to the possible building of meaningful or causal relationships between them.

    You know what’s better than a child playing video games? Making their own games from scratch. This is why you should sign your children up for Mobo Game Jam.

    Mobo Game Jam is an international game-making competition where young innovators (aged 8-18) from Nigeria and the UK compete to create games aimed at solving a global problem.

    Lack of access to clean water.

    Winners stand the opportunity to get cash prizes, laptops and see their games showcased live, spreading awareness of the importance of making clean water available to everyone in the defence against climate change.

    Click here to sign up: www.mobojam.org