The gaming industry is currently experiencing explosive growth across a wide range of audiences. There has never been more fun available at the click of a link or press of a button.
From online slots and casual puzzle games to complex immersive role-playing adventures, innovation and technology is carrying digital gaming to new heights across the globe.
Increasingly powerful hardware means higher-quality graphics and more realistic simulations. Add in the impact of virtual reality and artificial intelligence and it’s little wonder games are becoming more and more engaging.
Games have never been as popular. Mobile gaming, in particular, has seen significant growth due to its convenience and ease of access.
As the market grows, so does the range and number of games being produced.
This year in particular seems to be full of highly anticipated gaming releases – here are some of the hottest new titles to look out for:
Black Panther
The latest and greatest buzz in gaming follows the announcement that EA is working on launching a Black Panther game. The hard work is being done by the experts at Cliffhanger Games, a new studio based in Seattle, along with the folk at Marvel Games.
All we know so far is that it is a single-player, story-driven, third-person action-adventure game. It will let players experience what it is like to take on the mantle of Wakanda’s protector, the Black Panther – more than half a century since the character first appeared in a Marvel comic.
EA claim that players will have more control over their narrative than they have ever experienced in a story-driven video game.
The Black Panther project is very early in development, so we suspect it will be a few years before it’s available to actually play.
But players are ALREADY getting excited as Cliffhanger’s high-powered design team boasts experience creating games like Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Halo Infinite, God of War and Call of Duty.
Starfield
Xbox’s flagship new release of 2023 is Starfield, which is due to hit the stores shortly after this article is written. Expect to be able to get your hands on this action role-playing space-themed game from September 6.
Some of us have been waiting since the initial announcement in 2018 for this one from Bethesda – it’s actually the first all-new game from that studio in 25 years.
Brace yourself, it sounds amazing: Starfield players, whether via Windows or Xbox, will be able to switch from first to third person during gameplay.
The variety is incredible: characters can land on any of 1,000 planets in the Milky Way, plus loads of moons and space stations.
Masks of Inca
It’s not only video gamers that are getting new treats this year. Online slot fans have an array of great new games too.
The ludicrously catchy Payday Pig, the loveable Candy-Crush-copy Mochimon and NetEnt’s cosy retro Let it Burn are top new arrivals. We’ve chosen Masks of Inca above those though.
Foxium’s Inca-inspired slot looks great with its appropriate use of masks and icons.
It also has a massive Machu Picchu’s worth of bonuses and extras to liven things up. Best of all is the chance to discover real gold – there’s a life-changing maximum 20,000x jackpot payout.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Prepare yourself for the latest asymmetrical multiplayer video game based on an iconic horror license. We’ve had a preview and it’s a real thriller.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre comes from the talented team at Gun Interactive who were behind the Friday the 13th game too.
In this one, four hapless victims are attempting to escape from the three deadly members of the family: Leatherface, the Hitchhiker, and the Cook. Things can get, errr, messy.
The game will be available for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC. Our verdict: it’s horrific, scary and addictively exciting – all at the same time.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Rocksteady has a reputation as one of the gaming industry’s best action-game developers, well deserved after its brilliant Batman Arkham trilogy.
Eight years later, they are back with this – Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
The game is set in the same universe as Arkham and this time players take the role of one of four DC supervillains: either Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, or Harley Quinn.
You can play KTJL solo or with up to three others. The gameplay works on PS5, Xbox Series X|S or PC.
It looks great, feels immersive and takes you through good-old Metropolis wiping out the corrupted versions of DC heroes… including Batman.
These are a few of the best newcomers but check the gaming review sites regularly this year. There are more new games appearing as the market grows – meaning there are more thrills available than ever before.
