What Are Thailand’s Most Popular Video Games?
According to a YouGov survey, 82% of all people in Thailand consider themselves gamers, which is the highest ratio in Southeast Asia. In comparison, only about 60% of people from Malaysia play video games on a regular basis.
Thai gamers prefer playing games on their smartphones. Almost 90% of those surveyed said they play mobile video games, which is more than twice the number of those who play games on desktop/laptop computers.
Knowing this, it’s no surprise that the most popular video game in Thailand is a mobile game called Arena of Valor (known in Thailand as RoV). Multi-platform game Genshin Impact came in second place, followed by Call of Duty mobile.
What Makes Arena of Valor So Popular in Thailand?
Arena of Valor is an international version of the popular Chinese mobile game Honor of Kings (a.k.a. Wangzhe Rongyao or King of Glory). The game had its Android/iOS release in 2016, and two years later, it was released internationally for Nintendo Switch.
Knowing that this is a mobile game, it’s no surprise it’s had huge success in Asia over the years. In Thailand – a country with nearly 60 million active smartphone users – the game achieved a sort of cult status.
Its gameplay is what makes Thais fall in love with Arena of Valor. This is a MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) game, in which each player controls their own character. There are 112 characters – or heroes as they’re called in the Arena of Valor universe – each with its own set of skills and powers.
The players begin their journey at the lowest level, gradually acquiring experience (i.e., strength and advanced skills). Having said that, your hero gets better the more you play. This is why some gamers in Thailand have been playing the game for a long time, as they continually improve their hero through gameplay.
However, some of these dedicated players have taken their skills to the next level by forming Arena of Valor eSports teams. Thailand is one of the countries that have a strong presence in the Arena of Valor tournaments in Asia. These teams have competed in major eSports events such as the Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games, showcasing the high level of skill and dedication of Thai gamers in this game. It is exciting to see the players taking their passion for the game to the next level and representing their country in the competitive arena of esports.
Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is the Most Popular Desktop-Friendly Game in Thailand. Unlike Arena of Valor, which is a smartphone game, Thailand’s second-most popular game, Genshin Impact, works on a number of different platforms. In addition to mobile platforms (like iOS and Android), this game also works on Windows (desktop and laptop computers), as well as on PlayStation (4 and 5).
Genshin Impact, a video game developed by the Chinese company miHoYo, was made available in September 2020. Despite being a new game, it has already been able to draw in millions of players. They come from Asia in large numbers, with Thailand serving as one of the hubs of the Genshin Impact fanbase.
Genshin Impact is an open-world game, in which players control one of four different heroes, whose task is to solve all sorts of challenges and quests.
Call of Duty and Other Games
In Thailand, Call of Duty mobile is already among the most popular games, and that popularity is only growing. The fact that this first-person shooter is free to play is one of the reasons why people love it. However, Thais also adore the premium PC edition of the app.
Not only do Thai people love to play this game, but they also love watching pros do it on Twitch and other streaming platforms. They also seem to like betting on Call of Duty eSport tournaments. In fact, according to www.thaibets365.com, Call of Duty is one of the most popular options for esports betting, not only in Thailand but the entire world. Other computer games that are popular in Thailand include Dota 2, PUBG, League of Legends, and Garena Free Fire.
As you can see, the most popular types of video games in this part of the world are action games. Surprisingly for a football-crazy country, sport-themed games aren’t as popular in Thailand as in some other countries. Of course, this doesn’t mean Thais do not like sports simulation games. On the contrary, this country is home to a large number of fans of Konami’s eFootball, EA Sports FIFA, NBA 2K23, and many others.
When it comes to strategy video games, Thais seem to love Country Balls: World War the most, followed by Age of Empires, StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty, and Crusader Kings III. Then, there’s Sid Meier’s Civilization – each of the six editions (plus, expansions) has a cult status among Thai gamers.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a significant proportion of the population in Thailand identifies as a gamer, making video games incredibly well-liked there. Mobile gaming is the most popular among Thai gamers, who prefer to play on their smartphones. The article identified a variety of mobile, PC, and console games as being the most popular in Thailand. These games’ enduring appeal can be due to their captivating gameplay, compelling narratives, and social interactivity. The Thai gaming market is still expanding and changing, giving customers access to fresh and thrilling experiences. It’s obvious that gaming is more than simply a pleasure for many Thai people given the growing popularity of video games in Thailand.
