When we think of video games, we often think of them in terms of entertainment. They offer a getaway to new virtual worlds and give us an opportunity to disconnect from our day-to-day lives. However, video games have more to offer than just virtual entertainment; they can serve as springboards for adventures in the real world.
Many of the virtual worlds we encounter in video games allow us a peek at faraway cultures, historical periods, and even some of the wonders of the natural world. When the adventure of gaming meets a player’s desire to see the world, exciting experiences are often right around the corner. In this article, we take a look at the connection between virtual gaming and real-world travel.
The Power of Immersive Game Worlds
When players log into a platform like Wildz, they’re transported to a virtual casino where they can spin the reels on themed slots or play table games, much like they would in the real world. As much fun as the online world of casino games is, playing these games can be an inspiration for visiting brick-and-mortar casinos in the physical world. For example, planning a trip to Vegas may be on the cards after one experiences the excitement of the casino world online. It’s not just the immersive world of online casinos that can motivate a new adventure; games like The Legend of Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Red Dead Redemption can also serve as the inspiration for outdoor travels to explore different landscapes or historical sites.
Assassin’s Creed is one of the best examples of a game that can motivate travel, as all of the titles in the series explore cities across different historical periods, including Renaissance-era Florence and Ancient Egypt. Visiting these cities today can give gamers a new perspective on the past and allow them to blend history and exploration in a real-world adventure.
Finding Adventure in Real-world Locations Based on Games
Gamers the world over know that many of the fictional lands they encounter in video games have a lot in common with real-world locations. If you’ve spent time exploring the rugged terrain in Far Cry 4, you might know that many of these landscapes are similar to what’s found in Nepal. At the same time, the setting of Counter-Strike’s Dust II has a lot in common with the scenery one would find in Morrocco.
While Scotland doesn’t officially appear in the Assassin’s Creed series, nobody would blame you for thinking the many ancient castles and cobbled streets in the game resemble the historic destination. When you visit a place that you explored in one of your favorite virtual game worlds, you get to see up close what makes that site unique. Many gamers share these experiences on social media, acting as a guide for gamers who want to follow in their footsteps.
Gamifying Your Travel Experience
If you want to live out a role-playing game (RPG) in real life, travel can be a way to do so. You can do this by gamifying your travel by doing things like setting up personal quests for yourself, such as visiting landmarks, collecting souvenirs (the equivalent of a badge in an RPG), or even finding real-world puzzles to solve during your travels. You can use tools like geocaching or participate in travel challenges to turn your trip into an interactive adventure. With these tools, you can create bucket lists of gaming-inspired destinations or plan trips based on your favorite in-game settings. Adopting gaming mechanics in the real world can make your trip a lot more exciting and give you a sense of achievement, a lot like leveling up in a video game.Another way to get ready for your travels is to play titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator and GeoGuessr to get a taste of adventure before you leave home. These games let you explore global destinations without leaving home and can help you find places worth visiting in real life.