Anyone who has ever logged onto social media knows that amongst the current affairs and political posts, there is always a healthy dose of memes. In recent years, one particular game has taken the internet by storm: Among Us. The game, which was released in 2018 but only gained widespread popularity this year, is based on an earlier title called Mafia. While the games are different in terms of mechanics, they both require players to work together to figure out who among them is the imposter before it is too late.
While Among Us has been getting a lot of attention lately, it is not the only online game that has brought back memories of childhood or teenage years for Gen Zers and Millennials. In fact, there has been a resurgence in popularity for many games that were popular during those years—and it is all thanks to the internet.
What games have been able to evolve online and become popular?
We will take a look at each of the games that have been able to evolve in recent memory because of pop culture, and take a look at how they have become online games.
“Animal Crossing”
One such example is “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”. The franchise got its start on the Nintendo 64 all the way back in 2001, but it was not until 2020 – when people were looking for ways to stay occupied, that the series saw a massive resurgence in popularity. Thanks to social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, word of “Animal Crossing” quickly spread, leading to millions of people downloading the game and sharing their experiences online. In a matter of weeks, “Animal Crossing” became one of the most popular games of all time.
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“The Sims Online”
“The Sims Online” was released in 2002 as a sequel to the highly successful “Sims” franchise. The game allowed players to create their own characters and interact with other players in a virtual world. While “The Sims Online” was not a huge success when it was first released, it found new life when it was relaunched as “EA-Land” in 2007. “EA-Land” allowed players to play for free and included microtransactions for players who wanted to buy in-game items. The game was shut down in 2008 but was revived once again in 2011 as “The Sims Social.”
“Final Fantasy XI”
“Final Fantasy XI” is an online role-playing game that was originally released in 2002. The game was set in the world of Vana’diel and allowed players to choose from one of six races and 18 different jobs. “Final Fantasy XI” was notable for being one of the first online games to offer cross-platform play, allowing gamers on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Mac OS X to play together. The game is still going strong today and has seen several expansion packs over the years.
Casino games have also enjoyed a pop culture resurgence.
It is no secret that casino games have always been popular. In fact, they have been around for centuries. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence in popularity for these games thanks to the internet and the fact some of the best online casino games are based on pop culture. Thanks to online casinos, players from all over the world can enjoy their favorite casino games from the comfort of their own homes and continue to experience all of the nostalgia that certain titles can provide.
Some of the most popular online casino games include slots, blackjack, roulette, and poker. These games are not only easy to play but they are also exciting and offer players the chance to win big. However, one of the biggest things for many punters is the fact that they can tap into a memory of a theme or a
previous genre that they may have enjoyed in the past!
With so many different games to choose from, it is no wonder that online casinos have become so popular in recent years.
“Halo 2”
Released in 2004, “Halo 2” is a first-person shooter video game that Bungie Studios developed. The game picks up where its predecessor, “Halo: Combat Evolved,” left off and follows the story of Master Chief as he tries to stop the Covenant from activating a Halo ring world. “Halo 2” also introduced a multiplayer component that allowed gamers to battle each other online. The multiplayer component of “Halo 2” was so popular that it helped propel Xbox Live, Microsoft’s online gaming service, to prominence. “Halo 2” is still considered one of the best video games ever made and is often cited as one of the reasons why console gaming took off in the early 2000s.
“Club Penguin”
Another game to have seen its popularity increase after evolving into an online version is “Club Penguin.” The game was originally released in 2005 and allowed players to create their own penguin characters and explore the virtual world of Club Penguin. In 2007, Club Penguin launched an online version of the game that allowed players to chat with each other in real-time. The online version of Club Penguin quickly became popular, launching several mobile apps and a spin-off TV show.
Final Thoughts
These are just a few examples of games that have been able to make a comeback thanks to the internet. With so many people now spending more time than ever online, there is no doubt that we will see even more games from our childhoods making a comeback in the years to come.
From Animal Crossing to Among Us, pop culture fans have a lot to be excited about when it comes to online gaming. Not only are these games bringing back nostalgic memories for many people, but they are also providing much-needed distraction and entertainment during these difficult times. Each of these games offer players something different, however one thing that they can equally share is just how popular they were and how much nostalgia was possible to get from them whenever they were played!