How ancient games influenced modern gaming habits
Many modern games are redefined concepts based on ancient games. Chess originated in India from a game called Chaturanga. Many chess historians believe that the Chaturanga gave birth to other board games, such as the Chinese xiangqi and the Japanese shogi. These chess-originated board games depend on consistent tactics and strategic patterns for mastery.

These are the key habits that mattered to players in the early centuries:
-Strategic thinking: Players had to analyze the game and plan ahead to overcome their opponents.
-Incorporation of ritualistic themes: Some games, like the Egyptian board game known as Senet, are based on a soul's journey to the afterlife.
-Spectatorship and strong social engagement: Games usually took place face-to-face among opponents, which promoted more social interactions as spectators cheered their star players and jeered at the opposing team.
-Game preparation routines: Players in athletic games exercise and build up their mental fortitude before they head into the battle arena.
-Gambling: There were no casinos in the earlier centuries, but cards were used in Europe and Asia to wager on public games.

Game Habits in Different Parts of the World in the Modern Era
Many practices from previous centuries remain in use today. Strategic thinking and mental preparation routines are essential components of the preparation for competitive players. Casino gaming has also influenced the habits of many players, particularly in how they approach risks, reward systems, and in-game currency.

Ritualistic themes are somewhat uncommon today, as many games now feature many different themes. Examples include post-apocalyptic-based games like The Last of Us and science fiction games like Cyberpunk 2077.

Solo Play
Newer games with massive global followings are mostly digital video games and digitized forms of ancient games, such as chess and other indigenous games. In the United States, many gamers play solo and are focused on creating outstanding game characters, especially in games like Cyberpunk 2077, The Sims 4, and Fallout 4.

Fast-paced gaming
In addition, the popularity of first-person shooter games like Call of Duty has made certain gaming habits, such as fast-paced gaming, popular in the US. Due to the competitive nature of video games, many players develop their gaming reflexes to complete missions more quickly. The winner is typically the gamer who can use their game controls most efficiently and accurately in the shortest time possible.

In-game Trading
In East Asia, which includes China, South Korea, and Japan, role-playing games are popular. These RPG games typically feature captivating storylines centered around characters in an immersive fantasy world. Players are often required to collect cards and build a collection. A typical example is Pokémon, a video game adapted from a Japanese anime series and the most popular RPG in the region. In the game, players deploy their Pokémon to battle against other Pokémon. The winner of each round captures the beaten Pokémon to make up their Pokédex, the ultimate Pokémon collection. Many players opt to trade extra copies of any similar character to get any missing Pokémon in their collection. Beyond Pokémon, player-to-player trading is also coming in other gacha games and MMORPGs like Runescape, EVE Online, and Albion Online.

Speaking gaming vocabulary
Many games with an extensive global following have given rise to the development of unique words specific to the gaming world. Words like noob (newbie), GG (good game), AFK (away from keyboard), and OP (overpowered; an extremely powerful character, ability, or weapon) now form key parts of in-game communication.


Casual gaming
Approximately 63% of the global gaming population, which comprises 1.95 billion individuals, play casual games. According to a study by Google, most individuals play games as a form of relaxation. Games like Candy Crush Saga, Fruit Ninja, and Subway Surfers have garnered billions of downloads on game stores due to the demand for casual gaming styles. However, there is no clear-cut definition of what constitutes casual games, and it ultimately depends on the individual. Console or PC games with heavy action can often be considered casual play for many players.

Making in-game purchases
It's no surprise that in-game purchase is a global gaming habit. In 2020 alone, in-game purchases racked up to $54 billion, and by the end of 2025, in-game content revenue should have surpassed $74 billion. The regions contributing the most to in-game purchases include higher-income countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, France, and Sweden. In lower-income countries, such as India and many African nations, free-to-play mobile games are more prevalent than those that require a premium to level up.

Streaming gameplay
Fortnite, Valorant, and Grand Theft Auto V are the top three most-streamed games on Twitch, one of the biggest video streaming platforms in the world. Twitch is popular for eSports, a professional video game event that is popular in Pacific Asia. Although countries like South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines make up the majority of eSports players, the United States has the most extensive Twitch user base. Other live streaming platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook Gaming, are also popular among noobs and professionals for casual or competitive play in front of a global audience.

Watching gaming content
Many gamers surf the internet for content on gaming tutorials, reviews, and trailers. On YouTube, viewers can find gaming content in local languages, which helps to build a global fan base for popular video games. Due to the recent trend in short-form videos, viewers can multitask and watch short clips on how to pass a mission or solve a challenge while actively gaming.

Social gaming
Social gaming is popular in multiplayer games and live video game streaming. Connecting and interacting live with streamers and gaming fans is now a core part of online games. Most gaming platforms feature game chats with emoji and sticker features, allowing for more creative commentaries. For many individuals, playing with friends or others online, social gaming adds more fun and thrills to the gaming experience.