Playing games is fun and enjoyable and has seen a massive growth in popularity over the last few years. It is estimated that the online gaming market is worth almost US$200 billion worldwide (2020 figures), and is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. There are many reasons that online gaming has become so popular, including improvements in technology, low cost and potential gains for players, allows people to meet like-minded people, and is a fun way to spend an evening and relax and unwind after a long day.
So, what could be more fun than playing online games as a couple? It is a good opportunity to have fun and spend time together. Game developers have tapped into this and there are many games that can be played as a couple. There are games for couples who want to play co-operatively, and ones for more competitive couples. There are games featuring strategy, sports, puzzles and quests, and are perfect for couples; working together is a great way to increase communication and overcoming obstacles in a game can be a great tool to help couples overcome obstacles in relationships.
Blackjack
Online Blackjack is an exciting game to play in and of itself, but the stakes are raised, and the excitement is higher when there are two of you playing. Teaming up together to play isn’t possible in a land-based venue, but if you play blackjack at DraftKings, you’ll find that two brains can be better than one. The difficulty comes when one of you is dead set on sticking, while the other wants to twist!
Overcooked / Overcooked 2
Both iterations of this game are fun and fast paced, where players run a restaurant together and must fulfill orders, with orders becoming more complicated and numerous as time goes on. Players rotate around stations to complete different elements of the meal and is one of the few games where players find themselves barking orders at each other to get things done, making this fun and collaborative from the outset. Completing a level requires patience, coordination, and cooperation. There are also some wacky situations where players must dodge falling debris and avoid falling into the sea whilst cooking up the orders! It is quick and fun to pick up, and suitable for all levels of gamers.
Stardew Valley
A farming game with a difference. Stardew Valley sees players inherit a farm from their grandfather and gives them the opportunity to customize and build it, making it totally unique. It is available across computers and consoles, and there is cross connectivity between different consoles and different computers, but not (yet) between consoles and computers. There is so much to do in this game, that couples can spend hours exploring the beautiful world created, and really spend the time building their ideal world together.
Portal 2
Portal 2 is a great game for couples, as it depends on cooperation, rather than competition and is great for couples with different levels of skill when it comes to gaming. Working together to explore their environment, players are tasked with completing puzzles by placing portals and teleporting to different areas of the game. There are tractor beams, lasers and lights that all make the game fun and exciting, and the beauty of the co-op game is that even is the player dies, they re spawn quickly, and gameplay is not interrupted. There is also additional downloadable content that means players can create their own levels and share them with the online community. And there is a great deal of humor in the gameplay, witty banter and great acting that make this a fun and engaging game for couples to play.
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
This is a co-op space shooter where couples must work together to explore the galaxy, escape enemies, and rescue cute fluffy creatures; the goal of the game is to defeat bosses who are trying to take over the universe by stealing cute fuzzy bunnies, cats, turtles and others. The gameplay encourages cooperation and linked up working, as while one player directs the ship, another will shoot the turret, and there is a constant need to balance all elements of the ship to avoid spinning into the void and destroying the ship.
Gaming as a couple is fun, and can serve to help strengthen relationships, increasing collaborative work, communication and problem solving.