As legend has it, the first game to ever be played involved two cavemen bidding rations of mammoth meat to see who could throw a tapir's thigh bone farther, so the impressive detail and immersiveness in the April 2018 games trends show just how far gaming has come in humanity's short time on this planet.
The gaming industry is massive, and today there's an entire sub-industry that's risen up around it: e-sports and streaming. Through the 90s and 2000s, the kid who was happy to simply sit and watch his or her friends playing a game was an outlier, but sites like Twitch and even YouTube streams have shown that watching someone else play a game can be riveting. Indeed, esports matches have become popular live entertainment for Gen Z and even some Millennials, and companies are building esports arenas in response. Arlington, Texas, will in fact play host to the first ever arena built solely for gaming competitions.
Top 50 Games Trends in April
49
Underground eSports Bars
Red Bull Opens a Gaming Sphere with the Latest Tech in Gaming Culture
48
Gravity-Bending Retro Games
'Jelly Mario Bros' Breaks the Original In a Fun and Hilarious Way
47
LED-Equipped Speakers
The Logitech G560 Speakers Feature Impressive Specs and RGB Lighting
46
Audiophile-Approved Gaming Headphones
The Audeze Mobius Brings Advanced Sound to Gaming
45
Stylish First-Person Shooter Games
Alientrap's Gunhead Game Is Action Packed and Visually Stunning
44
Game-Upgrading VR Apps
The 'CLOVR' App Lets Players Partake in Any Game in VR
43
Avid Gamer Lifestyle Laptops
The Acer Nitro 5 Laptop is Ready for Intensive Gaming Sessions
42
Professional Esports Stadiums
'Esports Stadium Arlington' Will Provide Immersive Live Experiences
41
Surreal Typing Games
'David Lynch Teaches Typing' is an Educational Game Based on the Director
40
Retro-Inspired Indie Games
The Messenger is a Ninja Gaiden-Esque Adventure For Modern Gamers
39
AI-Powered eSports Apps
The Blink Mobile eSports Platform Uses AI to Highlight Clips for Sharing
38
Life-Emulating Video Games
'The Way Of Life' Lets Players Experience Life In Various Stages
37
Mobile Battle Royale Games
The PUBG Mobile Game Brings the Frantic Gameplay to Smartphone Users
36
Intense Gamer Smartphones
The RAZER Tarox offers Advanced Functionalities for Gamers to Enjoy
35
Iconic Console Revivals
The Atari VCS Will Be at GDC 2018 and Pre-Orders Will Be Open Soon
34
Randomized Ruminant References
'Llama or Alpaca?' Asks a Simple Yet Difficult Question
33
Joyful Nonviolent Videogames
Color and Music are the Main Focuses of Newt One and Its World
32
Information-Relaying Gaming Lights
The 'Pink Basilisk' Light Displays Health or Other Metrics
31
Fast-Paced Sci-Fi Games
Clunker Junker is a Unique Gaming Experience With a Massive Set Up
30
Cloud Gaming Services
The Microsoft Gaming Cloud Division is Hoping to Change the Market
29
Trivia-Focused Dating Apps
The Updated Lively App Hopes Users Will Connect Over Live Video Trivia
28
Celebrity Streaming Appearances
Drake's Fornite Stream Shattered Streaming Records On Twitch
27
Blockchain-Powered Board Games
The Blok.Party Playtable Uses Modern Tech to Change Classic Games
26
High-Performance Gaming Headphones
The Audeze Mobius Give Players an Edge Through Immersion
25
Gun Control Video Games
Game For Our Lives Raises Awareness For The Changing of Gun Control Laws
24
Mysterious Gaming Box Sets
Playdead Has Announced a Realdoll Collaboration of a Mystery Box
23
Calming Enviroment Games
Puny Astronaut's Skye Focuses on Art Style Rather Than Intense Action
22
Audiophile Gaming Headsets
The New Arctis Pro Line Brings High-Quality Audio To Gamers
21
Military-Inspired Gaming Headsets
The Victrix Pro AF ANC Uses Military Tech to Aid Pro Gamers
20
Retro-Themed Horror Games
The Bvoid Horror Game Focuses on Atmosphere Rather Than Jump Scares
19
Dream-Inspired Video Games
The Proxi Game Gives Players the Chance to Have Their Memories Featured
18
Gamified Stock Apps
'The Trading Game' App Makes Stocks and Forex Trading More Enjoyable
17
Official eSports Sponsorships
Old Spice Has Just Become the Sponsor for the Overwatch Contenders
16
eSport Cryptocurrency Initiatives
Unikrn Has Seen Progress in Its eSports Crpto Betting Goals
15
Expression-Based AR Games
Tender Claws' TendAR Stars a Virtual Fish That Responds to Emotions
14
Motion-Tracking VR Systems
OptiTrack's Active VR System Lets Player Movements Control the Game
13
Reverse Horror Games
The 'Carrion' Game Puts Player in Control of a Ravenous Monster
12
Lossless Audio Gamer Headsets
The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Series Headphones are High-Quality
11
Free PC Game Programs
Twitch's Free Games With Prime Will Be Available for Prime Membership Users
10
VR Cultivation Board Games
Catan VR Brings a New Experience to the Classic Pastime
9
Iconic Videogame Orchestras
The Metal Gear Orchestra Is Finally Coming To Europe and North America
8
Zen-Inducing Video Games
Bird Game Lulls Players Into Peace But Also Challenges Them Intensely
7
Hacker-Focused Indie Games
'Tech Support: Error Unknown' Gives Players Power But Forces Choices
6
Boss Battle RPGs
Neo Impossible Bosses Will Challenge Even the Best Micromanagers
5
Story-Driven Platformers
Apocalypse Cow Blends Elements of Animated Films and Classic Games
4
Finish Line-Free Racing Games
Codemasters' 'Onrush' Changes the Dynamics of Racing Games
3
Passive 2D Brawlers
'Way of the Passive Fist' Turns Focuses on Defensive Combat in the Wasteland
2
Dinosaur-Hunting Games
'Jurassic World Alive' Will Let Players Live Out Prehistoric Dreams
1
Goofy Golfing Video Games
What the Golf? Embraces Absurdity with a Nominally Golf-Based Experience
Related Ideas
Retro-Style Gaming Consoles
The PlayStation 5 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Marks a Milestone
Cloud Gaming Expansions
Nvidia's GeForce Now Brought Game Streaming to Amazon Fire TV
Nostalgic Gamer Streetwear Collections
The New Era x PlayStation Range Has Hats, Hoodies and More
Monthly Gaming Giveaway Lineups
Amazon Prime Launches a Prime Gaming April Drop
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Retro Gaming Handhelds
Evercade Nexus Brings Physical Cartridges Back to Portable Gaming
Game Subscription-Playable Titles
Rockstar Games' GTA: V is Officially Coming to Gamepass
High-Fashion Video Game Consoles
The Balenciaga Snake Game Marks the Lunar New Year
Shooter Game Console Releases
FragPunk Launches for Xbox and PlayStation on April 29
Game-Themed Tactical Streetwear
Anti Social Social Club and Call of Duty Unveil Co-Branded Apparel
Mindful Handheld Gaming Systems
The Conceptual 'Kimera' Handheld Gaming Console is Immersive
High-Framerate VR Streaming Upgrades
NVIDIA Adds GeForce Now 90fps And GOG Syncing
Localized Post-Apocalyptic Campaigns
Max Channels the Theme of The Last of Us into Ad Spaces
Sci-Fi TV Show Games
The Expanse TV Show is Getting its First Game with 'Osiris Reborn'
Wig-Snatching Games
Exploding Kittens Teased a New Party Game Called 'Snatch Snatch Wig'
Controller-Integrated Gaming Phones
OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra Pairs with Gun God Controller for Play
Competitive Multiplayer Game Crossovers
Overwatch 2 Partnered with Persona 5 on New Event
Category-Defining Home Arcade Collections
Basic Fun! Debuts Its Inaugural Home Arcade Collection
Interactive Motorsport-Inspired Gaming Experiences
EB Games Boasts Mario Kart World in Montreal
Legacy Game Re-Releases
Konami Brings Metal Gear Solid 4 to PC for the First Time
GenAI Gameplay Ideators
Muse by Microsoft is the First World and Human Action Model
Nostalgic Gaming Devices
The Playdate Handheld Console Reimagines Retro Gameplay with Modernity
Platform Discovery Enhancements
Nvidia Adds GeForce Now Install-to-Play and Control Resonant Day-1
Browser Game Platforms
RetroGames Lets Users Play Classic Console Games Online Instantly
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Retro Gaming Challenges
Woe Industries' AGAT Uses Proctoring to Enforce No-Walkthrough Play
Mainstream Metaverse Experiences
The Sandbox's 'Alpha Season 4' Offered Brand Engagement
Gamer-Targeted Donor Campaigns
Virtual Donors Turns In-Game Deaths into Real Registrations
American Football-Focused Venue Initiatives
Topgolf Ligns Itself with the American Football Season
Humanoid Robot Games
The Great Robot Olympics Reveals Both Promise and Prose in Ai Evolution
Face-to-Face Game Consoles
Board Merges the Best Features of Board Games and Video Games
Server Slam Events
Bungie’s Marathon Open Server Slam Prepares Players For Launch
Digital Staredown Games
Modern Human Habits Inspired TWIX's Second Screen Staredown
In-Car Gaming Collaborations
AirConsole x Audi Partner for Car Gaming, and Includes Pictionary
In-Car Gaming Experiences
Atari and AirConsole are Partnering to Bring Games to Volkswagens
Immersive Gameplay Features
The Sandbox Launched 'Game Maker 0.11' for Creators and Brands
Guided Challenge Party Games
Tomy's Human Controller Game Involves a Connected Headset
Highly-Anticipated Extraction Shooters
'The Finals' Developers Released New 'Arc Raiders' Shooter
Immersive Gaming Lands
Minecraft World Brings the Game to Life in a Theme Park
Anthropomorphized Gaming Systems
The 'Playdate' Handheld Gaming Device Has a Charming Function
Amateur FPS Tournaments
Riot Games Celebrates VALORANT’s 5th Anniversary with a Creator Tournament
Interdimensional Gaming Experiences
Alienware x Twitch Transform Grand Central Terminal
Instant Gaming Platforms
Zeon Games & Studio Enables Instant Play Through Scroll-Based Gaming
Esports-Focused Creator Programs
Team Vitality Unveils a New Epic Games Creator Programme
Retro Plug-and-Play Games
Fizz Creations' Wireless Plug-and-Play Systems Appeal to Kidult Gamers
Esports Cinema Viewings
Fortnite Pro-Am 2025 is Coming to AMC Cinemas Across America
Enhanced Mobile Gaming Platforms
Samsung Showcased its New Gaming Hub at CES 2026
Stylized Fighting Game Launches
Riot Games is Releasing 2XKO On Consoles Worldwide on Jan 20th
Remastered Classic Rhythm Games
PlayStation's Patapon Game is Coming to Steam and Switch
Survival Multiplayer FPS Games
'Time Takers' Aims to be the Next Big MMO from NCSoft
Military Game Peripheral Collections
Corsair Unveiled a Hardware Collection with Call of Duty
Gaming-Inspired Apparel
Uniqlo Celebrates Honor of Kings’ 10th Anniversary with Graphic Tee Drop
Celebratory Stacking Game Consoles
The Tetris Forever Handheld Video Game Console Marks 40 Years
Interactive Outdoor Games
City Chase Combines Outdoor Exploration with Fun, Strategic Gameplay
Interactive Superhero-Branded Golf Experiences
Topgolf Taps 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps'
Branded Button-Masher Games
Jägermeister's Ice Cold Justice Challenges Players to Defend Shots
High-Octane Arena Shooters
'Skyward Masters' is the First Original IP from Trinor Entertainment
Spin-Off Adventure Games
Nintendo Announced 'Splatoon Raiders' as First In-World Spinoff
Gamer-Focused QSR Devices
McDonald’s Türkiye's ‘Archie' is Part of the Pro Gamer Menu
Third-Party Publisher-Focused Presentations
Nintendo's Direct on July 31st will Focus on Partners
Impactful Gaming Experiences
Humanity Games Combines Retro Gameplay With Real-World Lessons
Expanded Game-Streaming Features
Xbox Cloud Gaming and LG Debut a New Xbox Game Pass Partnership
Games Journalism Website Acquisitions
Gunzilla Games Purchased Game Informer to Revive Platform
Smart TV Party Games
Jackbox Games is Coming to Smart TVs Through a New Update
Mom-Focused Mobile Game Events
Avia Debuts a First-Of-Its-Kind Mom's Week in Solitaire Clash
Mobile Retro-Inspired Consoles
The Atari Gamestation Go Plays Classics in a Portable Format
Gaming Fandom Activations
LEGO® Code Break Arrives in San Diego with a Larger-Than-Life Vault
Sharable Digital Video Games
The Nintendo Switch Virtual Game Card Allows for Sharing
Competitive Web3 Shooting Games
'Wilder World' was Announced at Gamescom 2025
Professionally Endorsed Gaming Mice
Pulsar Gaming Gears Partners with Tyson 'TenZ' Ngo
Collaborative Esports Tetris Tournaments
Red Bull and The Tetris Company Announce a Tournament
Child-Focused Handheld Games
The Game Boy-Inspired Kids Device is an Alternative to Tablets
Gaming Wearable Devices
Tetris Watch Combines Classic Gameplay with Smartwatch Features
Classic Snake Games
Snake Apple Game Explores History, Strategies, And Free Online Play Options
Digital Pet Video Games
Tamagotchi Plaza is Arriving on the Nintendo Switch
Western European Esports Expansions
OG Esports Launches its First Mobile Team for Honor of Kings
Web3-Enabled Sports Games
Mythical Games Debuted 'FIFA Rivals' on Mobile Devices
Online Gaming Portals
Best Website Games Offers Accessible Browser-Based Games Anytime
Hand-Drawn Shooter Revivals
Fumi Games Announces the New Mouse P.I. For Hire Title
Game-Inspired Energy Drink Campaigns
Monster Energy Piggybacks on the New Call of Duty Release
80s-Inspired Game Launches
Probablymonsters Debuts a New Title — Storm Lancers
Second-Screen Watch Parties
The E.L.F. TIME Show Was Made to Run Parallel to the Big Game
Athlete-Themed Tech Lines
Pulsar Gaming Gears Debuts a Bruce Lee 85th Anniversary Collection
Transformative Gaming Experiences
The First Berserker: Khazan Sets a New Standard for 3D Gaming
Interactive Party Games
Scano Games Lets Friends Play Real-Time Multiplayer Games On Their Phones
Multiplayer Pottery Battles
Double Fine Announces KILN Launch Date
AI-Powered Game Campaigns
G2A.COM Unveils AI-Powered 'Best Gate 2 Play' Campaign
Chef-Approved Video Games
Gordon Ramsay Finds His Zen Within the ‘Hay Day’ Ad
Competitive Trivia Games
Trivia Tiles Offers Fast-Paced, Image-Based Multiplayer Challenges
Gamer Mealtime Campaigns
Telia's Dinner Assassin Helps to Get Teens to the Dinner Table
Mobile Game-Streaming Services
Razer's New PC Remote Play Enables Direct Game Streaming
Premium Gaming Controller Expansions
Hyperkin's 'The Competitor' is Now Available in North America
Searchable Gaming Platforms
Search to Play Helps Users Discover, Track, And Share Video Games
Best-Selling Console Sequels
Nintendo Dropped the Reveal Trailer for the 'Nintendo Switch 2'
Tactical Game Competitive Hubs
Riot Games Announced 'CompeteTFT' for its Esports Scene
Competitive Tactical Shooting Games
The Free-to-Play Title 'Delta Force' is Entering eSports
Mobile Action Game Championships
Netmarble is Hosting the Inaugural Solo Leveling Championship
Peruvian Streaming Platforms
Kick Marks a New Wave of Streaming for the Region
Charitable Developer Games Showcases
Humble Bundle is Hosting its 2025 Games Showcase
Creator-Focused Game Launches
Ubisoft Launches a New Lineup of Siege X Co-Streamers
Mascot Sumo Showdowns
Duolingo Launches Playful Event Featuring Gaming Icons and Cultural Mascots
Interactive Word Games
Play And Share AI-Created Word Search Games Onchain With Prism
Streaming Series Video Games
The 'Thronglets' Game is Inspired by a Black Mirror Episode
Retro RPG Releases
The Original 1996 Diablo Game is Coming to PC Game Pass with Microsoft
Entertainment Venue Loyalty Platforms
Dave & Buster's Debuts 'What the Fun' Platform
Real-Time Esports Streams
Agora's Technology Powers Live Esports Streaming in the Philippines
Free-to-Play PvE Campaigns
Epic Games Makes Save the World Free-to-Play for Fortnite Players
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Ball Game-Promoting Urban Initiatives
London Sport and Saatchi & Saatchi Run 'More Ball Games'
Expanded Game-Streaming Functionalities
Xbox Announced PC Support for its Game Streaming
Skill-Rewarding Action Games
Metroid Dread's Studio is Gearing Up to Release 'Blades of Fire'
Classic Board Game Remakes
Dungeons & Dragons Takes on a Celebratory Modernized Update
Hands-On Esports Programs
Gen. G and Syracuse University are Educational Esports Opportunities
Sci-Fi Stylized Extraction Shooters
Bungie is Set to Release 'Marathon' in 2026 Following Delays
Competitive Esports Frameworks
Esports World Cup Foundation Debuts Esports Nations Cup Framework
Daily Esports Product Lines
PandaScore Launched New 'Daily Fantasy Esports' Products
Interactive Geography Games
City Quiz Fun Tests Your Global Knowledge With Timed Challenges
Sports Streaming Platforms
EvoSports Streaming Lets Users Capture And Share Live Sports Moments
Expansive First-Person-Shooter Games
EA Announced Battlefield 6 with an October 10th Release Date
Gamified Geography Applications
'Geoguessr' Challenges Players' Knowledge of the World
School-Level Esports Events
Delaware State Hosts an Esports Competition for Public School Kids
Multi-Region Esports Programs
GosuGamers Debuts an Esports Grant Programme for Tournaments in Asia
Music-Driven Coming-Of-Age Games
Beethoven and Dinosaur’s Mixtape Releases This Upcoming May
Gender Gap-Addressing Basketball Initiatives
Shoot 360 Hosted HER Month in March
Anniversary-Commemorating Esports Kits
G2 Esports Unveils its New Gallery Experience and Team Kit
Integrated Streaming Access Updates
Spotify and EA SPORTS Team Up to Power In-Game Audio Streaming
Engaging E-Soccer Video Games
Betby Announced Two New Soccer Titles for its Portfolio
Extraction Shooter Beta Tests
Okami Studio is Launching a Test for its 'Outlawed' Game on Steam
Gamified Wellness Platforms
HealthGame Turns Healthy Habits Into Fun, Interactive Daily Challenges
Fake Video Gaming Essays
Super Eyepatch Wolf Explores Imaginary Gaming Worlds
Culinary Battle Games
Show Me Your Chef Recreates the Excitement of Cooking Competitions
Esports-Themed Tech Peripherals
Higround Unveils the New 'Vantage Collection' with 100 Thieves
Immersive Store Game Launches
Target Launches an In-Store Nintendo Switch 2 Launch Experience
Multiplayer Word Games
The New York Times Introduces Crossplay as a Multiplayer Word Game App
Esports Harm Prevention Programs
Ygam Launched a Mental Health Programme for Gaming Communities
Family Party Games
MirFam Games Turns Your TV Into Interactive Fun For Family And Friends
Timed Gameplay Trial Features
Google Play Introduced Game Trials for Sampling Game Titles
Period-Spanning Game Worlds
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio Revealed the Stranger Than Heaven Game
Curated Surprise Game Seasons
Panic Announces Playdate Season Three for Episodic Game Releases
Game Session Trackers
GamePal Helps You Organize and Log Gaming Sessions on iOS