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Many people don’t think of wrestling and gaming as being linked in any way, but a closer look reveals that they have had a major impact on each other.
In fact, the rise of professional wrestling has been instrumental in transforming the gaming industry over the last few decades.
The Popularity of Professional Wrestling
It’s impossible to talk about the relationship between wrestling and gaming without first discussing the popularity of professional wrestling. Professional wrestling has been around since the early 20th century, but it really gained traction in the late 1990s with the emergence of organizations like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), or World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as it was known then.
WWE helped to create an entire culture around professional wrestling, which made it more popular than ever before; which is why it has been rumored to attract plenty of interest regarding a potential sale. This newfound popularity paved the way for professional wrestlers to become household names, which in turn led to increased demand for video games featuring those wrestlers. Nowadays, there are several other promotions and organizations that provide fans with plenty of in-ring entertainment on a weekly basis.
The Rise of Wrestling Games
The boom in the popularity of professional wrestling is something that has benefited other aspects of gaming, too. While there have been a number of video games to have been created and developed, there have been a variety of wrestling-themed titles over the years, too. Gamers have been able to play board games including their favorite stars, play with action figures, and even enjoy a variety of gambling games, too.
Sports betting has perhaps been the most obvious gambling activity as fans are able to wager on the various events and matches that take place, while there has been a rise in slots and other games. Gambling has perhaps benefited from wrestling as there have been moments on screen that have seen superstars compete in poker competitions, for example. Indeed, if you want to be able to play the classic card game like your favorite stars, then you should check out Legal US Poker Sites where you can learn more about online poker, as the platform will ensure that you will be able to enjoy the best experiences possible.
The increased demand for wrestling-based games was met with a flurry of releases from various game developers. These games typically featured multiple wrestlers from WWE or other organizations in a variety of match types. They also allowed players to customize their character’s appearance and stats, giving them an even greater sense of ownership over their characters. One thing all these games had in common was that they were incredibly popular among gamers, selling millions of copies worldwide and earning significant amounts of money for developers and publishers alike.
Wrestling Games as Inspiration
The success of these games proved to be inspirational for other game developers who wanted to capture similar levels of success with their own titles. As a result, many other genres began incorporating elements from wrestling games into their designs; fighting games began using counter moves based on pro wrestler maneuvers while sports simulators began including special moves reminiscent of those used by wrestlers during matches. Even today, elements from wrestling games can be seen in many different kinds of titles, demonstrating just how influential these titles have been over the years.
Conclusion
Professional wrestling has had an undeniable impact on gaming over the last few decades. From its influence on sales figures to its inspiration for new features and mechanics, it’s clear that this exciting form of entertainment has fundamentally changed how people view and interact with video games today.
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