Crazy frog-based board games aside, we fellas have, for a long time, been the largest demographic of gamers. That’s changing though; with 45% of all players now being women, we’re close to a 50/50 split. Developers have closed the gender gap by creating titles that appeal to everyone, with some more aimed at women, some focused on men, and some that are designed to attract everyone.
This means that there is a bit of disparity between games that are popular overall and those that are popular among men. Ones that appeal to all gamers include Super Mario Bros., Solitaire, and Scrabble, but here are titles that fall into that latter group of predominantly male gamers.
Spades
Spades is a classic card game that enjoys enduring popularity among male gamers. Known for its strategic depth and social dynamics, Spades offers players the opportunity to engage in intense competition and teamwork. Whether played in person or online at Spades.co, this game provides endless entertainment and challenges for players of all skill levels.
Online Pool
If you can’t get enough of this popular pub classic, you can now play pool online. It’s no longer strictly an “in person” game and you can practice the best angle to break at along with all your favourite shots, without having to leave the house.
Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto is one of the most popular video game series among men. According to YouGov, it’s the third most popular game among men, although millennials tend to prefer it over older gentlemen.
Of course, the most recent game in the series is GTA V which is kept alive by the multiplayer version GTA Online. However, other releases from the franchise continue to attract a lot of players, with versions of most titles since Grand Theft Auto III available for mobile devices, PC, and modern consoles.
The open-ended gameplay means that you can have endless fun exploring each game’s maps, going where you want and doing whatever you want.
Blackjack
Depending on your age, you may know blackjack by its British name: “pontoon”. Technically, the two are actually different games, but they’re so similar, they’re often lumped together and treated as the same thing. Before that, blackjack was actually called “Bone Ace” in 17th Century England.
400 years later, blackjack remains one of the most popular games played by men. The invention of the internet and smartphones in the last few decades have allowed a new generation of gamers to take up playing blackjack online and enjoy the centuries-old game.
The rules can be learned in a matter of minutes, but players can still spend a lifetime learning, developing, and perfecting their playing strategies. This is why blackjack is so popular among millions of men around the world.
Call of Duty
Given that many guys love to go to fields and shoot paint pellets at each other while dressed in camo gear, it shouldn’t be too surprising that they also play video games where they get to run around different maps firing weapons at one another.
The first Call of Duty title was released back in October 2003 and became an instant hit. Since then, two dozen different CoD games have hit shelves, thanks to a gruelling annual release schedule that can only be achieved by sharing the work between two companies.
Right from the first game, the online multiplayer modes have been key to its success and this remains the case today.
Gran Turismo
Another thing that many guys love is cars. Some enjoy luxury cars, some prefer performance cars, and some like modified cars. Racing them on the streets isn’t allowed and taking them to a track is expensive, so a racing simulation video game acts as a great alternative.
Gran Turismo is a PlayStation exclusive with the first version released on Sony’s original console in 1997. Since then, there have been five “full” sequels with a few minor releases in between them.
Rather than arcade-style games, Gran Turismo is a full simulation, attempting to replicate the physics of real racing. You start out with a modest budget to buy your first car before entering into races to earn prize money that you can use to modify and upgrade your vehicle.
Petrolheads love the game as it works with force-feedback steering wheels and other peripherals that they can use to make accurate rigs that replicate the experience of driving a real car.
In fact, its realism is so on-point that the GT Academy has been taking Gran Turismo players and giving them the chance to earn an opportunity to race for Nissan in the real world. The programme has been running since 2008, and has seen several graduates go on to compete in competitions like the Le Mans 24 Hours, Formula 3, the World Endurance Championship, and the Dubai 24 Hours.