The PlayStation Plus paid subscription service is a must for any avid gamer. The program allows access to premium features, including online multiplayer, exclusive discounts for games on the PlayStation Store, and three free games to download every month.
Most recently, fans are greeting the new year with all-new games to expect for January. Ripstone Games’ ultra-realistic poker game, Poker Club, is set to join the series of PS Plus games to start the year with a bang. The title is predicted to join the likes of Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice League, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered, and The Stanley Parable Ultra Deluxe, all of which are part of the Essential tier.
Poker Club, which is reportedly joining the Extra and Premium tiers, will be introduced alongside SD Gundam Battle Alliance, Citizen Sleeper, and the 2009 game Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings.
Of course, not all PlayStation games require a PS Plus subscription. However, if you’re already paying monthly to be able to play in multiplayer lobbies, it’s worth picking up the new games introduced into the lineup for some variety.
Ripstone Games’ Poker Club
Initially released in 2020, Poker Club is a realistic poker simulation video game. Players can live the life of a poker professional and embark on a global Poker Tour. As implied in the game’s name, players can also join a club and compete in 200-player online tournaments.
A couple of months before its release, Ripstone Games announced that the Poker Club would be available on both the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, with cross-play between all platforms supported. PS4 owners of the game were also granted a free PS5 upgrade. Aside from its realistic graphics, the game also utilizes the haptic feedback feature of the new PS5 DualSense controller, providing realistic sensations “to immerse players on the poker table like never before.”
The innovative poker title also saw a successful launch in Europe, just in time for the anticipated European launch of the PlayStation 5 in November of that year.
The resurgence of poker
Poker Club’s popularity is in line with the fact that more and more people enjoy the traditional casino game as a hobby. According to a study by Research and Market, the global online poker market is expected to reach an estimated $193.8 billion by 2030. Market researchers associate the increasing Internet penetration, smartphone usage, and the growing popularity of poker games. At the same time, the increase in the number of legal online poker markets in states like Michigan and New Jersey also contributes significantly to its current popularity.
Meanwhile, US online poker continues to innovate to meet customer demands. Since 2001, online poker room Americas Cardroom has been one of the most popular platforms offering online tournaments with regular tournament schedules, such as their weekly Sunday Moneymaker event. Through the years, the platform has committed to improving security measures and introduced support for cryptocurrency banking methods. Players can find various platform-exclusive promotions for bonuses like First Time Depositor rewards. Online platforms like Americas Cardroom help keep the game relevant among new generations, attracting new players, and inadvertently inspiring the likes of PlayStation to provide its user base with similar perks that have served the online poker community so well in recent years.
Aside from the continued popularity of online poker, PlayStation titles like Poker Club help bridge the generational gap by making the game more accessible to wider audiences. Compared to online poker rooms, Poker Club won’t cost you anything. However, realistic video games like Poker Club can offer valuable practice for those looking to try their hand at online poker.
Future poker innovations
With the rise of the Internet and next-generation consoles with realistic graphics like the PlayStation, video game developers and casino game providers work endlessly to introduce innovations to the classic card game.
Aside from PlayStation titles like Poker Club, another recent development changing the poker market is virtual reality (VR). As virtual reality headsets become more accessible to many players around the world, titles like VR game Vegas Infinite (formerly PokerStars VR) help create more immersive and engaging poker gameplay experiences. The VR title works on Steam VR and Meta Quest VR without needing a VR headset.
Beyond playing poker in virtual reality, Vegas Infinite also includes a new 3D virtual cityscape featuring virtual “personal player suites, luxury casinos, and exclusive rooftop escapes.” For poker enthusiasts who want a fresh perspective on playing poker away from real-life casino tables, VR titles like Vegas Infinite provide a more dynamic and lifelike experience without leaving the comforts of your living room or home office.