With storyline games becoming even more popular and the graphics getting even better, the realism that games have now is such a big positive for the gaming industry. Games are trying to add characters and activities that people relate to. People who like gaming are also more likely to enjoy gambling, these go hand in hand so developers add games that have gambling because people know they enjoy it.
Red Dead Redemption
The creators of Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar, also created this hit game that was released in 2010, and it quickly became one of the biggest games of our generation. Then around a decade later the sequel came out and smashed all sorts of records.
In these games, you have the opportunity to play in some casinos. With games like Poker and Blackjack available, you can just go in on your merit or you can wait for the story to take you there.
During the games that you play, you have the decision on whether you want to play it fairly or cheat against the opponent, but you can get caught and immediately have to fight to the death. The Red Dead series is set far into the past and is known for the use of horses and people having an emotional connection to the horses. With the first Red Dead Redemption being set in 1911, it is surprising that there isn’t an option or a side quest for a horse bet. For example, a side quest where Arthur does some horse betting, similarly to what we can do now with Irish Grand National bets, adding a unique twist. This would have been fascinating as by this point in time, horse racing festivals would have been very popular, especially the Irish Grand National.
Fallout New Vegas
Another 2010 release, Fallout New Vegas, was another major hit for a really big game series. Near the start of the game you are invited to play a card game called Caravan, you use a lot of your time and resources playing this game and need to make sure you don’t spend too much. Later into the game, you go across the Mojave Desert, where Las Vegas used to be. While there you get to see the old casino games and play even though it may be slightly different to what you know now as this game is an apocalyptic nightmare.
GTA
GTA is the biggest gaming series of all time and multiple GTA games show gambling but the two biggest for this are San Andreas and GTA 5. GTA 5 has an online mode that made the game even more popular than it already was. Everyone in a specific age demographic has played GTA and has probably loved it as it is one of the most universally loved games there is.
Grand Theft Auto Online has a host of gambling games that you can play, including, blackjack, roulette, three-card poker, horse racing and even slot machines.
With San Andreas, the casino is a part of the story and one of the missions you need to do involves a game of blackjack that progresses the story nicely.
Watch Dogs
Watch Dogs is a crime game where you play as a hacker who is involved with criminal masterminds, you have to fight against corrupt bosses around real-life cities that have been changed for the game. The gambling in this game is not a part of the game per se, as gambling comes in whenever you want to change up the way you are playing and have a break from the story. The game offers poker and roulette as options for you and is very detailed on how they are played and look.
Final Thoughts
Overall, when we think of gaming and gambling, we do not expect them to be as hand in hand as they are. Gambling is simultaneously involved and featured in some of the biggest games of all time.
Not just as little features for people to play with but as massive key elements of the story, this is massive for the entertainment industry and really helps both sides of the industry go and long may it continue.
