Once upon a time, gaming was mostly a hobby for nerds and children. These days, video games are as mainstream as movies and television. Digital Surprises offers a wide selection of popular gift cards, including cards for some of the hottest video games on the planet. These are seven ways the company can help you become a gamer.

1. Find Games You Enjoy

Video games aren’t just about shooting aliens anymore, though you can certainly still do that. There are thousands of different games out there in genres ranging from fantasy role-playing to simulations of everyday activities. Whether you want to save the world in your lone starship, play god in a world of your own creation, or become a business tycoon, there’s a game out there for you. Gift cards from Digital Surprises can help you expand your gaming library and figure out which genres you enjoy the most.

2. Choose Your Platform

There are lots of different ways to play games and you can mix and match them to suit your play style. When you are starting, it may make sense to try out some games you can play on a device you already own. There are tons of games available for your PC through platforms such as Steam. The latest and greatest titles may require a more powerful PC than what you currently have, but many casual and older games will run just fine on a standard computer. As you get more into gaming, you may want to upgrade to a gaming PC or laptop. 

Another good place to start is on your smartphone or tablet. Many of the games available on these devices are casual games that are suitable for beginning players, but there are also titles aimed at hardcore gamers. If you would like to try out the world of console gaming, you can start relatively inexpensively by purchasing a legacy system, instead of the latest model. Not only can you find used and refurbished systems for low prices, but there is already a large library of games you can play. Many of the most popular games you can purchase with your Digital Surprises gift cards are available on multiple platforms.

3. Learn How To Find Games

You can try just playing some games at random to see what you like, but that can get expensive. It’s a better idea to do a bit of research online. Read some reviews and user forums. See if you can find some trial versions to try out. Consider using a video game rental service. Once you get an idea of what you like, you can start using your Digital Surprises gift cards to buy more games.

4. Give Casual Games a Try

Many hardcore gamers turn up their noses at the idea of playing casual games, but these games can be great for beginners. Most of them feature simple controls and mechanics that are easy to master. Mobile app stores, game collection sites, and casual game friendly systems, such as Nintendo’s line of consoles are good places to look for casual games. 

5. Try the Hardcore Games Too

Don’t be afraid to move beyond casual games. You might be confused at first, but the more you play, the faster you will start to catch on. If you find yourself getting stuck, there are lots of helpful YouTube videos and walkthroughs online to help you improve your playing skills. Genres to consider include platformers, such as the Super Mario and Sonic series, rhythm games, such as “Dance Dance Revolution”, sports games, such as the Madden football series, fighting games, such as “Super Smash Bros.,” role-playing games, such as the Fallout series, shooting games, such as the Call of Duty franchise, and massively multiplayer games, such as Fortnite. You can find gift cards for many of these games at Digital Surprises.

6. Try Some Open World Games

If you really want to dedicate yourself to a game, try out some open-world titles, such as “Grand Theft Auto,” “Spore,” and “Minecraft.” Spending your Digital Surprises gift cards on these types of titles will provide you with hundreds of hours of entertainment as you explore all the nooks, crannies, and hidden gems in these massive games.

7. Go for Total Immersion

If you loved choose your own adventure books as a child or just really love the idea of losing yourself in a story, use your Digital Surprises gift cards to try out the role-playing genre. Once dominated by fantasy stories, you can now find role-playing games that cover Sci-fi, horror, and other themes. 

It has never been easier to become a gamer. With so many games to spend your Digital Surprises gift cards on and so many devices to play them on, you are sure to find at least one game you really love.