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COVID-19 restrictions have prompted online poker operators to launch new products in 2020, but they're not the only companies putting out new content. Ripstone's Poker Club is due to launch on November 19th and, whether planned or not, it couldn't come at a better time.
The market for poker video games has gradually evolved over the last two decades and now, there's a new player in town. Poker Club from Ripstone is all set to join the growing library of video games aimed at fans of Hold'em et al. The free-play product should strike a chord with gamers, especially during these times when digital entertainment is booming.
Poker Club: Open to Everyone
Poker Club will be available across all major platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation. Game director Phil Gaskell said his intention was to make the product as affordable and accessible as possible. The purchase price is £19.99/$24.99/€24.99. This means that paying to download a poker product will be a strange concept for seasoned players. However, in video gaming, there are two distinct models: premium and freemium.
Poker Club: What's In It For You
For the $24.99 price tag, gamers get a 4K poker experience across a range of formats and settings (see video above). What's more striking about Poker Club is the inclusion of games normally found at real-money sites, such as super turbos and bounty tournaments.
The Evolution of Video Games
Video games of old didn't offer as much in the way of variety, which shows how far products have evolved. This, in turn, has the potential to make Poker Club appealing to gamers and poker players at a time when digital entertainment is in the spotlight.
Poker Club: A New Era for Poker Games
The release of Poker Club comes at an opportune time as it gives poker players another way to play during lockdown. While it may not be quite the same as playing for cash prizes, the video game industry has tapped into the entertaining parts of poker.
When Poker Club is released, it will join a varied roster of video games with poker-related content, such as:
- Stacked: With Daniel Negreanu: This game's defining feature, other than featuring Daniel Negreanu, is that it uses artificial intelligence (AI) developed by the University of Alberta. The AI powers 10 strategy matrices that allow opponents to adjust to a player's strategy.
- Prominence Poker: This freemium product started out as a poker RPG (role-playing game), but it's now much more of a straight tournament platform. Some RPG elements remain, however, such as earning rewards and leveling up.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: Like Grand Theft Auto, action-adventure game Red Dead Redemption 2 features poker mini-games. The aim is to win credits that can be spent within the Red Dead Redemption universe. Like all Wild West showdowns, these games can be a matter of life and death.
Poker Club from Ripstone Games promises to bring a new level of excitement and realism to the world of poker video games. With its 4K graphics and realistic gameplay, this game is sure to attract both seasoned gamers and poker enthusiasts alike. Whether you're a fan of Hold'em or just looking for a new way to pass the time during lockdown, Poker Club has something for everyone.
About the Author
Daniel Smyth is the former Strategy Editor at WPT Magazine. He has bluffed his way through the poker community producing feature pieces, crafting strategy articles, and reporting on daily happenings from the gaming industry. As CardsChat's European correspondent, Smyth covers gaming and poker news outside the US.