Gaming is more popular than ever. Especially with the introduction of Apple Arcade.
As of 2018, there were approximately 2.2 billion gamers across the world, playing on PC’s, mobile devices, tablets and Apple computers. The growth of gaming popularity has led to the rise in mobile gaming apps — including games themselves, as well as tools and platforms that support game play.
Of course, when you’re starting out it’s hard to know what apps will be most useful for you. Thankfully, we’ve decided for you. Here are the top 5 apps that every game lover should have.
1) 888poker app
For online poker game lovers, the 888poker app is the perfect way to play mobile poker on the go. Available to download for iPads, Androids, iPhones and tablets, the app allows players to enjoy cash games or tournaments wherever you happen to be — a connection to the internet is all you need to play your favourite poker games.
The app is 100% free to download, and you can get full access to tournament ticket and bonuses in your account. You can also make deposits and withdraw your winnings straight from the app, using the fully secured cashier feature.
There are so many different variations to the game; but with the convenience of the app you can discover what you like the best — and develop your skills to win on the go.
2) Steam
For fans of games, Steam is a software you can’t do without. Steam is a video game digital distribution platform, with millions of users around the world. The Steam store hosts over 30,000 games, with everything from AA classics to indie favourites. It’s also a great place to access the online gaming community.
Through the Steam app you can meet new people, form clans, join groups or chat in-game. The Steam broadcast feature allows you to stream your gameplay live and share your experience with friends and the rest of the Steam community. Users can also read gaming news, keep updated on the latest releases and view the month’s top selling games, all through the app.
For game developers and publishers, it’s also great place to release, and distribute, your new game to a worldwide audience. It’s the go-to software for gamers — and via the news section of the website and app, the place to get your game seen.
3) f.lux(200)
People who play games for hours on end know how abrasive computer lighting as be when day turns to night. The solution for that is f.lux: a cross-platform computer program that adjusts your display colour, based on time of day and location. Once you’ve downloaded the free software, you then choose your location. This allows the program to calibrate whatever device you happen to be on; at sunset the program will gradually change the display to a warmer colour.
This is said to reduce disruption of sleep patterns as a result of a display’s white-blue light. It will also reduce any eye strain that users may suffer from extended gameplay. There are a variety of pre-set colour profiles and temperatures available including decreasing the red tinge, a dark room mode and a film mode. Timing can also be inverted for those who work during the evening. The program is available for Linux, macOS and Windows as well as iOS devices. It’s received many positive reviews from users, bloggers and tech journalists — although has yet to be tested for scientific accuracy.
4) TeamSpeak
First launched in 2001, Teamspeak is a voice-over-internet application that allows for audio communication between users during gameplay.
A number one choice for pro gamers, TeamSpeak’s features include military-grade encryption, advanced permission controls, offline / LAN functionality, minimal CPU usage as well as individual voice control. It’s been cited as having some of the best voice sound quality in the marketplace, with lag-free communication, an integrated automatic microphone volume adjustment, echo cancellation and background noise reduction.
The current version of the app was released in 2008; while the app is free to download, running your own game server requires a license — which can be purchased through one of TeamSpeak’s annual plans, depending on how many servers you’d like to have.
The TeamSpeak app is available for macOS, Linux, Windows, Android and iOS. It’s become so popular that the company has even released its own merch, which includes t-shirts, hats and badges.
5) TwitchTV
Launched in June 2011, Twitch is a live streaming video platform which focuses on live streaming of games, including music broadcasts, ‘in real life’ streams, broadcasts of eSports and creative content. The platform has ballooned in popularity over the years — as of May 2018, Twitch had 2.2 million broadcasters monthly and 15 million daily active users.
Of course, as the popularity of the website increased, its creators made headway in the mobile space with the release of the Twitch app. Available for both iOS and Android, the TwitchApp is free to download. It’s a great option for both those with channels and those that watch them as you can stream to your channel directly from your phone’s camera. This is a massive upgrade for users, who previously would have to use third-party apps to livestream their device’s screen.
For gamers, the TwitchApp is definitely a must-have application; it’s one of the top spots to enjoy watching live stream channels — or produce content for your own Twitch followers.
Author: Chris Grainger
Chris is a tech enthusiast always looking for new products and services to try out and share with his awesome community of Apple fellows on Appleosophy!
