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Here’s a little hit of gaming news that you won’t hear every day: the new Pope is a gamer. That’s right, Pope Leo XIV, the newly appointed head of the Catholic Church, is one of us. Reports just in suggest that he’s quite the Wordle fan, reportedly even tuning into the daily digital puzzle hours before the white smoke came puffing out of the Sistine Chapel.
But it’s not just Wordle that’s captured Pope Leo’s attention; it seems he’s quite the devotee of casual games in general. Remember Words With Friends? That’s on his list of go-tos, too!
Okay, so the new Pope isn’t what you would call an Armchair General, and no, he doesn’t run a Twitch channel, but his interest in these digital gaming staples is testament to just how mainstream video gaming as a pastime has become.
Think about it; it wasn’t all that long ago that gaming was mocked at worst and misunderstood at best… Now, the gamer demographic has shifted so much in recent years that we’re at the point where you can’t even pin down who an “average” gamer is. Instead, we’ve got grandparents on tablets, commuters getting stuck in on their smartphones —and yes, the Pope solving puzzles on his tea break.
How, then, did such a niche activity become so universally popular in such a small stretch of time? Let’s dive in and find out!
The Gaming Spectrum
The days of the stereotypical gamer—you know what we’re talking about: awkward teen, console, dark bedroom—are officially over. These days, you’ll find that everyone’s dabbling in some sort of digital game, with players coming from every age bracket, gender, and cultural background.
Don’t believe us? Just ask the Entertainment Software Association. In their 2024 report, the trade association found that 190.6 million US residents (aged 5 to 90) play video games today. Meanwhile, across the pond in the UK, Uswitch collated stats that suggest over 11 million people will be playing games online by 2027.
What’s behind this broad appeal, then? Well, have you logged onto Steam or paid any attention to Xbox Game Pass lately? We’re not exaggerating when we say if you’ve thought of an idea for a video game, it’s probably already out there. Seriously, here in 2025, we’re playing everything from VR-infused SciFi epics to casino games.
May we present those AAA titles with near-cinematic scope for your consideration? We’re talking Elden Ring, Uncharted 4, and Final Fantasy XVI. Who hasn’t dabbled in a bit of Candy Crush here and there, or gotten hooked on Clash of Clans? And then there’s everything in between: strategy, simulation, sports, RPGs, sandbox games… the variety is staggering.
And what about casino gaming, we hear you ask? The truth is, this digital gaming sector is just as much a part of the ecosystem as the likes of Avowed. For instance, playing casino games online is akin to playing video games on your browser or logging into a cloud gaming platform like Amazon Luna. Today’s operators have transformed user experiences in games like slots and roulette, offering cutting-edge platforms with personalized interfaces and bespoke, Netflix-esque game selections.
Much of this evolution is down to the creative muscle of software giants like NetEnt and Pragmatic Play. These studios have pioneered a style of casino game design that borrows heavily from the world of video gaming—think dynamic animations, thematic soundtracks, layered story elements, and in-game features that reward exploration and engagement. These titles aren’t just built to be played, but to be experienced.
The Tech Behind it All
Of course, underpinning all this evolution is a massive wave of tech advancement. If we think back to some of our favorite games from the 2010s, it’s clear that period marked a turning point in not just video game development, but the tools we’re using to play them. Power-packed GPUs, high-speed internet and 5G, cloud computing… we’re even using game engines to craft our own indie titles.
VR gaming has leveled up too, shedding its novelty status and gaining traction thanks to titles like Half-Life: Alyx, and the more wallet-friendly ergonomic headsets that are hitting the market. We expect this is going to transform the casino space too, taking players into vibrant VR casinos packed with games, digital dealers, and virtual patrons. It could become almost indistinguishable from the physical thing!
In conjunction, AI is proving its worth as more than just machine learning for grunt work. All those intelligent NPCs we’re seeing crop up in the latest titles? That’s down to progress being made in artificial intelligence programmes. Players everywhere are looking up guides explaining how to make the most of this kind of gaming, including things like joining guilds in Oblivion Remastered.
And let’s not forget Web3. While it’s still very much an emerging sector, blockchain gaming has attracted big-name studios like Ubisoft, Sega, and Square Enix. Player-centric digital economies and fully-immersive gaming aren’t fringe experiments anymore.
Entertainment’s Final Frontier
We know what you’re thinking: where can gaming go from here? Frankly, anywhere it wants!
Video games have already trumped Hollywood in the audience reach department—at the height of the global COVID-19 response, gaming became the world’s most popular entertainment sector. Even A-listers are flocking to us, lending their voices to blockbuster titles and becoming playable characters (thanks, Megan Fox and Simu Liu).
From puzzle-playing Popes to creating new universes in the metaverse, gaming occupies a new and exciting space in the world. And we’re totally here for it!
