Gaming is massive all around the world and this is certainly true when you consider the gaming scene in Ireland. There is no doubt that Irish people love to get involved with this fun hobby when they are free and fill their spare time with the most exciting games to play.
This is a sector which is always innovating and finding new ways to engage players. Online gaming is a good example of this and something which lots of people in Ireland like to get involved with. This is easy to understand when you think of the social experience it delivers and the ability it gives to play against real human opponents from around the world.
These benefits have seen online play become very popular around Ireland and a major part of the country’s gaming community. As a result, some online titles have become major hits around the island. Here are some of the biggest online gaming hits in Ireland:
Rich Wilde: Book of Dead
Online gaming in Ireland is a multi-faceted niche and this is certainly true when you think about the popularity of iGaming around the country. It is thought that the Irish online casino sector revenue will hit close to $1bn by the end of 2023, which shows just how big this way of gaming is for Irish people now.
As with online video games, there are certain titles within iGaming that Irish people love to try out. Some of the best examples are online slots, with Rich Wilde: Book of Dead heading the pack. This is an online game played all over the country that has an exciting Egyptian theme.
From well-known developers Play’n GO, it has a 96.21% return to player (RTP) percentage and a maximum potential win of x5,000 your initial stake. In addition to sharp graphics and easy to understand gameplay, there is a free spins bonus round to enjoy. This makes it one of the most popular free spins Ireland slots for people around the country to discover.
PUBG
Although online casino games are played widely across the country, online video games are still the go-to choice for many Irish players. While there are lots of popular games we could talk about here, PlayerUnknown’s Battleground (PUBG) is certainly one of the most talked about titles for Irish players.
This open-world multi-player battle royale stunner sees each game start with 100 online players being dropped onto a new map. The aim is to be the last person standing — although you can team up with other players to become the last team alive. It is not just the other players online you have to keep an eye on. The environment can also be a danger, especially as the map contracts as the time ticks by.
This interesting game design coupled with awesome graphics and plenty of action explain why PUBG is such a hit with Ireland’s online gaming community. Lots of online Irish gamers also love the variety of weapons available to use in this game, the ability to drive an array of vehicles and the chance to play on mobile. Another popular online game in this genre around Ireland for similar reasons is Fortnite. This makes it a good alternative if you fancy a change from PUBG at times.
Counter Strike: Global Offensive
While Counter Strike 2 might have recently been launched, its predecessor in the form of Counter Strike: Global Offensive is still one of the biggest hits in Irish online gaming. It also remains a big hit in global online gaming circles and the thriving eSports scene.
This title is a first-person shooter that sees players split into two teams: ‘Terrorists’ and ‘Counter-Terrorists’. These teams battle it out to achieve their own teams’ objectives in the game world. Online players in Ireland love this title because it has lots of action, an exciting feel and a tactical element to the gameplay.
The detailed graphics are also a real hit, as are the impressive sound effects and range of weapons to use. When you also add in a vibrant online CS:GO community to engage with for Irish players, you can see why it is remains such a major hit. If team-based online fun is your thing, other options like Warhammer 4000 Darktide are also good choices for Irish gamers.
FIFA / EA Sports FC
Sport is a big deal around Ireland, and this naturally means that lots of Irish gamers opt for the best sport-based online games. One of the biggest hits around is the FIFA series of football games, which has now been rebranded as EA Sports FC for the newest game launched in 2023.
Whether it is the latest title in this franchise (EA Sports FC 24) or a previous instalment of FIFA, this series is popular with Irish gamers looking to play matches online against friends or find new people to test their skills against. This series of games is great for online players because it has multiple game modes to select from. In the past, this has included well-known examples like FIFA Ultimate Team and quick play mode.
These online sport games really hit home because of their realism as they feature real-world players and clubs as well as authentic looking stadiums. The smooth gameplay, intuitive control system and ability to score awesome goals are also reasons this series of online games is such a hit around Ireland. The mobile version of these games is another major reason for its popularity within Irish online gaming and means you can play a quick match wherever you are.
Major hits in Irish online gaming stand out
There is no doubt that the games we have listed above are not only major hits in Irish online gaming but also around the world too. When you start to look at what each game brings to the table, this is not a surprise. If you like to play the best online games in Ireland, the above are all worth checking out.
