Do you want to become a gamer but don’t know where to start? This article will show you how to get into gaming in Kenya.
Video games are here to stay, and the gaming industry in Kenya is thriving. People of all ages can enjoy playing video games on their own or with friends – it doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or a pro!
How to Get Into Gaming in Kenya
Here are some tips for those looking to dive into the beautiful world of video games.
1. Establishing your budget
The first step to starting gaming in Kenya is establishing your budget. The game consoles, accessories, and games vary in price, so decide how much you’re willing to spend before even looking at the options.
Knowing your budget will influence the kind of video games you can afford and the accessories you’ll need.
2. Determine what games you want to play
The following driving force behind your decisions is the games. There’s a wide variety of video games to choose from – some are educational, others revolve around a single-player experience, and quite a number require multiplayer support.
It is best to decide which games you want to play before buying anything because this will give you an idea of what consoles, accessories, and other purchases you may need.
You can start by checking some lists of popular games online. You can also watch videos on Twitch or YouTube to see what other people are playing.
Some games are better for PC, consoles, or even mobile phone
3. Choose your gaming platform
Once you know what games you want to play and how much you’re willing to spend, it is time to choose the platform.
Several leading platforms are currently on the market: PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and IOS and Android.
Each has its fair share of pros and cons. Sharing a few similarities – like compatibility with most accessories and availability of multiple games, they still have unique features that you should consider.
Mobile phones are making strides in the gaming industry, too – so it might be a good idea to check out what games your mobile phone is compatible with.
4. Find out where to buy
Once you have figured out which platform and game(s) you want, it’s time to buy.
This part is straightforward: choose a reputable online or offline store and make your purchase. You can start by checking out the list of authorized sellers on the official websites to find out who has what you’re looking for and at what price.
Types of Video Games
The following is a quick guide to the type of video games available in the market:
1. First-person shooter (FPS)
This is a genre in which the protagonist (you) is seen from a first-person perspective, as though your eyes were the eyes of the character you are playing.
User Interface elements sometimes appear on screen, depending on the game. Sometimes they can be turned off. The intensity and gore in these games vary and depend on the game.
Games like Halo, Destiny, Call of Duty, and Battlefield is part of this genre.
2. Third-person shooter
This genre is like the FPS, except the player sees the protagonist on screen. This means they can see more of what is happening around them, sometimes even their character’s body parts.
Games like Grand Theft Auto, Uncharted, Bayonetta, Metal Gear Solid, and Just Cause are examples of this genre.
3. Role-playing games (RPGs)
A role-playing game allows the player to control the character’s actions by improving their skills and equipment.
This can be done in multiple ways, often involving getting close to enemies or relying more on weapons than the character’s magic abilities.
The games in this genre include Witcher, Mass Effect, Diablo 3, Final Fantasy, Dragon Age Origins, and Dark Souls.
4. Massively multiplayer online game (MMORPG):
This can be any of the above but played on the internet, with multiple players playing in the same world.
It can involve gaming teams where only one team wins or competitive play where everyone works for themselves (player versus player).
The original version of this was World of Warcraft. Others include Star Wars the Old Republic, ArcheAge, Guild Wars 2, and Even Online.
5. Open-world shooter
As the name implies, this genre allows players to explore open environments while completing tasks or missions.
The environment is often interactive and contains many things. These include NPCs with which you can interact, pick up items, gadgets, or weapons that may help in your quest, and many other features. You can even run into random events that make your game experience different each time.
Games like Far Cry, Grand Theft Auto, Tomb Raider, Just Cause 3, Saint’s Row 4, and Assassin’s Creed are part of this genre.
Join Kenyan Gamers Group on Facebook.
