Ireland is a country of gamers. Data suggest that video gaming has reached a 50% penetration level in the nation, with more than 2 million of its residents participating in some form of gaming. It’s no longer a niche pastime, relegated to arcades or enthusiastic hobbyists. Now that almost every household has access to devices that can be used to play games, it’s as popular as it has ever been.
However, it does sometimes feel like the mass media has been slow to catch on to this changing demographic. In countries like the US, eSports is quickly becoming a fairly standard staple of the TV landscape. In Ireland, you may struggle to find ancillary content to the country’s love of gaming, and this is clear even in podcast offerings.
Largely, it seems as if the most popular podcasts in the country neglect to discuss gaming, and it’s notable that there are very few gaming-centric podcasts specific to Ireland. Why is it that there are so few gaming podcasts in Ireland, and what are the biggest trends in gaming that could be covered?
Casual Gaming a Growing Sector in the Industry
One of the most intriguing developments in gaming in the last decade or so has been the rise of casual gaming. This has been driven by the fact that almost everybody has a device in their pocket that can be used to play games that previously would have been too intricate for even consoles. The processing power that a game like Angry Birds uses is significantly higher than any older Sega or Nintendo console could have produced, for example.
Then there is the iGaming industry, which is gaining popularity in Ireland. More commonly known as the online casino market, it has become a mobile endeavour with the development of mobile-optimised sites. Looking at a popular online casino in Ireland, you can find hundreds - if not thousands - of slot and table games that can be played both on desktop and mobile devices.
It’s unsurprising that it is trending towards casual gamers in Ireland, considering that 96% of internet users in the country are doing so with their phones, according to CSO data. A Deloitte report also suggested that 70% of Irish people felt they used their devices too often, indicating a citizenry that is highly mobile in its technology usage.
Podcasts Overshadowed by Streamers and YouTubers
While there may not be much of a podcasting scene regarding gaming in Ireland, there are other forms of media that dominate the landscape. Some of the most popular internet personalities from the country are related to gaming, with many of the most recognisable names in the space coming from the island. That a small population can generate a good number of famous video game streamers and personalities is impressive in itself.
Sean McLoughlin, known online as jacksepticeye, is a YouTuber from Offaly who has managed to establish himself as a true world star. Beginning by uploading videos to the platform in 2012, he has gone on to appear on Disney TV shows and even in the video game-inspired movie Free Guy. He’s not the only one, either.
Daniel Condren and Kevin O’Reilly are both content creators who regularly discuss the industry, as well as play through games on the channel. Known as RT Gaming and CallMeKevin, respectively, they have become part of an Irish YouTube ecosystem, along with McLoughlin, who utterly dominates the country’s gaming discussion. It would be challenging for a new podcast to break into this market.
Grassroots Podcasts Generating Some Buzz on the Scene
While there are no major podcasts on gaming in Ireland, that doesn’t mean grassroots podcasters aren't trying to develop a scene. Podcasts like Press Any Button To Continue and Hey! Look! Listen! are working to establish long-term podcasts in the industry, but are up against comedy shows like The Two Johnnies.
As the industries grow - both gaming and podcasting - it is likely that we will see more podcasts gaining popularity in the sphere. This will better reflect the evolving landscape of gaming across the country and provide more accessible discussions on the topic for enthusiasts in Ireland.