When we get a little pocket of time to relax or unwind, perhaps after work, during a lunch break, or travelling somewhere, there are a great deal of activities at our disposal nowadays. While classics such as reading books, staring out the window, or knitting still exist, there is a huge chasm of space opening in the online world that is producing new entertainment options by the day. This is all in line with the increasing dependence on digital devices such as computers, smartphones, and tablets, as well as smart watches now, as well as our shifting digital habits. And there are options to cater for everyone.
Whether you are looking for intellectual stimulation, something simple to pass the time, or a mini adrenaline kick, the online world can certainly provide. Which is certainly good news for the 67.4% of the world’s population that spend time online. Depending on what you are looking for, some of these ideas might take your fancy.
Word Wizardry
A game that delights, stimulates, and frustrates all in equal measure, Canuckle is beginning to make a name for itself amongst Canadians. Over 2.4 million to be precise. With up to 80,000 a day putting their vocabulary to the test. With six attempts to guess the word of the day, the cognitive capacity is stretched to its limits to crack the code. There is no time for lexical limitations with variations in vocabulary, perhaps even a whimsical guess, holding the key to success. Canuckle is a perfect online game for all occasions as each daily challenge takes a few minutes. The gamification aspects also mean you can challenge friends and family members to create the longest streak or the most correct answers. And best of all, Canuckle costs absolutely nothing to play.
Gaming with an I
One of the fastest growing trends in Canada right now is the concept of iGaming. The gaming aspect is self-explanatory, with the “i” standing for internet. iGaming includes any online game or life event that involves money being wagered. This could be at an online casino on online versions of casino classics such as blackjack, roulette, poker, and slots, or on an online sports book.
With Ontario leading the way in the iGaming movement after becoming the first province to legalize online gambling in April 2022, the revenue produced by iGaming in the province reached a staggering $690 million at the end of Q4 this year.
Both online casinos and online sports betting are increasingly popular, and lucrative, activities across the country, with live casino at Cloudbet providing an insight into the live dealer games that are proving especially popular. Like Canuckle, iGaming is practical and convenient to play and due to the popularity, many operators are creating apps to accommodate play on the move. In terms of future entertainment, iGaming is expected to be a prominent player in a constantly shifting entertainment landscape.
Step into a New Reality
A piece of technological innovation that is finally beginning to gain some traction in the real world is virtual reality (VR). Along with augmented reality (AR), VR teleports you to a virtual world, where your movements and actions are registered in that realm. With a combined 8K worth of resolution and 5G technology to reduce latency at its disposal, the collaboration between gaming and VR received lift off with the release of Batman: Arkham Shadow, which has received decent reviews that give those in the VR industry a great boost.
Further implementation of VR and AR is expected in the near future, even in the aforementioned iGaming industry. Operating in a different reality was once a novelty, but now it seems to be the next logical step in online entertainment. Canada already houses at least 6% of the VR headset owners around the world, with 5.3 million users of VR technology expected by 2029. That movement is gaining momentum.