Depending on the type of video game that is being played, they can often be built to contain various stories to keep gamers engaged and playing for as long as possible.
Storylines might not always be enough, which is why there are some games that can offer so much more. These can come in the form of side quests or mini-games; in essence, they are bonus features that can keep individuals playing even once they have completed the main parts of the gameplay that is being offered.
As a result, there are some mini-games that are included that are based on casino games, with blackjack often being a popular option for many.
Why is blackjack often made as a mini-game or part of a game’s main feature?
Blackjack is a game that is known around the world by almost everyone, even if it hasn’t been played by the gamer before. Most will know what the main rules are when playing this casino game, with the aim being to beat the dealer and obtain a score of 21 or be as close without going over.
It’s a simple game and one that can be played very quickly, which also makes it ideal as a mini-game to help enhance the overall action within a video game. It can even add an extra dimension to the game that is being played in a very simple way, which can keep players immersed in the action that they are enjoying.
Technology has been able to help video game developers bring blackjack into their games in a more immersive way, too. Players can feel as though they are playing the game as if it were for real, which isn’t too dissimilar to what the actual gambling industry has managed to achieve. Players who enjoy live blackjack will understand this, as they will be transported into an environment where they will feel as though they are playing in a traditional casino room and being face-to-face with a real dealer, albeit through a screen.
The tech used has helped to create a level of accessibility and convenience for players, and this can be felt in some of the best video games to have included the use of the game within their titles…
Red Dead Redemption 2
Arguably one of the biggest releases ever, Red Dead Redemption 2 gives players the ability to engage in a form of blackjack when they are roaming around the huge open-world map that has been made available.
In this game, players can enjoy a different take on the traditional card game, highlighting one of the many variants that have been created based on the classic. In this version, players will play ‘Five Card Charlie’, which will see them have a total of five cards that need to add up to a value that doesn’t see them go bust.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
If you get bored roaming the open-world map in Grand Theft Auto and have had enough driving around in the best cars you can steal or completing the missions you’re tasked with, you can go for a spot of blackjack in the San Andreas version of the hit game franchise.
Players can head to a plethora of different casinos within the fictionalised Las Vegas (although not all 13 are open), and play a hand or two. Caligula’s Palace, Casino Floor and Four Dragon Casino can all be accessed in Las Venturas and offer blackjack, amongst many other classic casino games.
Resident Evil VII: Biohazard
Resident Evil’s seventh instalment, Biohazard, is another popular video game title to have been released that offers players with the opportunity to hit the table and participate in a session of blackjack.
This game is all based on fear and horror, as to be expected with the zombie theme, and it runs through to the card game. There is a lot of nerve-wracking moments that can be experienced, especially when players are gambling with a little more than currency. If they fail to win enough games, they may lose a finger!
Many games feature blackjack as a mini-game
As mentioned, the simplicity and popularity of blackjack, as well as its global reputation, the classic card game is an easy way in which video game developers have been able to add extra layers to their games without having to think too hard for new ideas.