Could Poker Be a Key Game Genre on the PlayStation 5?
The PlayStation 5 release is right around the corner, and there has already been a lot of exciting news about the amazing games coming to the advanced console. Among teasers for epic titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, it was also confirmed that there would be a brand new poker game for the next-generation device.
With poker being one of the world’s most popular card games, developers have tried to bring it to consoles with varying success in the past. If this new offering is popular, it could turn poker into a lucrative option for console developers and may lead to many more titles.
Poker Game Already Announced For PS5
Among the titles that have officially been confirmed for the PS5 line-up, the Ripstone Games offering is one of the most exciting options. Poker Club is being touted as the most immersive poker experience ever seen on computers. It will use state-of-the-art graphics to provide an incredibly realistic feel and give the sense that the player is at the felt, caught up in the action.
It is fair to say that this poker title looks superior to everything that has come before it. The rich and detailed visuals make it seem like the player is watching a live poker game on television. There is set to be a vast variety of settings and ways to play as well. Players can start off playing at tables in dingy bars against amateurs, and work their way up through the ranks until they are competing in major competitions like the World Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker.
Game Has Taken Inspiration From the Varied Offerings Found Online
The early signs of the Ripstone Games title suggest that it has taken inspiration from the hugely successful online casino sector when it comes to the variety needed to keep players interested. Looking at Royal Panda’s online poker offerings as a case study, there is a diverse range of options designed to appeal to a wide demographic. These include unique games like Joker Poker, Deuces Wild, and Aces & Faces Poker.
Not only do the options at Royal Panda help to attract a lot of different types of player, but they would also appeal to poker experts who want to sharpen their various skillsets by diversifying the games they play. By offering a similar kind of abundance of choice, the Ripstone Games title may be able to attract casual players as well as experts.
Past Poker Offerings Have Failed to Leave a Lasting Impression
There have been precious few memorable poker games over the years, with developers frequently failing to make their offerings live up to their potential. For a game that is so well-loved online, it is shocking that poker games haven’t been bigger hits on consoles.
Perhaps the most notable poker game to date was Prominence Poker. The PS4 title earned a score of 9/10 on Steam and was praised for staying true to the laws of the game. However, it was lacking variety and was extremely limited in what it could offer players. One of the most-loved versions of poker on console was found in Red Dead Redemption 2 as a side game. It was immersive and enjoyable, but it was also extremely limited. However, when players got bored they were able to continue with the main game.
From early reports about Poker Club for the PS5, there is evidence to suggest that Ripstone Games may have learnt from the past mistakes of other games. The developer has seen that online poker is all about offering players a lot of choice, so has set about creating a vast and varied game. If this is a hit, poker could make a comeback as a popular console genre.