The changing nature of gaming communities

Community is one of the most important aspects of life and people find it in different ways. For some, an example of a community is getting together to play games and compete against each other. Throughout history, technology has changed how we play our favourite games and online communities have been formed. 

Eyes down for community spirit

Before technology took over, community centres all over were full of people playing games against each other. One particular game that exploded in popularity was bingo. The popularity of this has been everlasting. For many years, the bingo hall was at times the forefront of a community. In more recent times, the game has also been transformed online. Millions of people still play the game, with a high percentage now utilising the technology available to play online.

Sometimes they’re playing and competing against friends, other times it’s strangers. When searching for bingo online, you may see a version based on a classic bingo hall experience. There’s also one inspired by the iconic daytime TV programme Deal or No Deal. Wherever and whatever you play, the UK bingo scene is thriving. Today, there’s a style of bingo to suit everyone, from pop culture themes like The Voice bingo to Irish Folklore themes, which demonstrates the lasting appeal of this game of chance.

How playing video games with friends has changed

For many years, the way to play video games with friends was by inviting them to your own house. There were also arcades and later LAN parties that gave players more options. The advancements in the Internet changed everything. Services such as Xbox Live and the Playstation Network made it incredibly easy for people to get online and play in gaming communities consisting of millions. One of the most popular online games in recent times has been Rocket League. Friends across the world have formed teams and will take part against others in regular competition. 

Before video games came board games

In the decades before video games became commonplace, the way to play games was the humble board game. Ever since the 1990s and the rise in games console ownership, traditionalists across the land have bemoaned the decline of playing board games.

Companies such as Nintendo saw this decline and probably sensed a gap in the market. They wanted to get people of all ages to play together again. The sight of a technophobic grandparent playing Brain Training, Wii Sports or Mario Kart has become commonplace over the last decade.

The traditional view

Some argue that for all the technology in the world nothing can beat playing your favourite games with friends and loved ones. There is evidence to back up community centres across the United Kingdom that still see classic games like bingo as a popular choice. Even in the video game world, playing games with friends is still a pastime shared by many.

In Manchester and Liverpool, NQ64 has opened and has been a great addition to the nightlife. This place gives gamers the chance to play classic arcade games in modern surroundings alongside craft beer and music. The success of NQ64 is perhaps a sign that for all the investment in virtual communities, playing in person is he

New Kids on the Block Announce The Mixtape Tour With Very Special Guests Salt-n-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature

RELEASE NEW TRACK
80s BABY
FEATURING ALL TOUR ACTS:
SALT-N-PEPA, NAUGHTY BY NATURE, DEBBIE GIBSON & TIFFANY

Tickets On Sale to the General Public Starting Friday, October 12
American Express® Presale Begins Tomorrow

NEW YORK, NY (October 8, 2018) – Today New Kids On The Block, the multiplatinum selling pop super-group, unveiled an epic lineup for their highly anticipated 2019 tour. NKOTB took to the Today Show plaza to reveal The MixTape Tour with very special guests Salt-N-Pepa, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson and Naughty by Nature. The five iconic pop and hip-hop acts will hit the road together for the first time ever on a 53-city tour across North America next summer.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, October 12th at Ticketmaster.com. American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, October 9th at 10am local time through Thursday, October 11th at 10pm local time.

To celebrate the event, NKOTB surprised fans by dropping an epic, throwback track, “80s Baby” featuring their new touring partners, Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty By Nature, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany. The track takes listeners on a nostalgic yet refreshingly modern and fun ride through 80s song references and fresh verses- just a small glimpse into the party that will be The MixTape Tour. Stream the song HERE.

With over 100 million combined records sold worldwide, NKOTB, Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty by Nature, Tiffany and Debbie Gibson will fill arenas with hit after hit when they take to the stage next summer. Always upping the ante, NKOTB have packaged the ultimate lineup for a once in a lifetime live show experience. The group will return to the stage after 2018’s touring hiatus to perform fan favorite number one hits like “Hangin’ Tough,” “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever),” and “Step By Step”. When tour mates Salt-N-Pepa, Debbie Gibson, Tiffany and Naughty by Nature hit the stage, they bring with them top chart hits and legendary catalogues to keep fans out of their seats all night. The tour is sure to be one of the can’t miss events of the summer featuring an unforgettable night full of smashes spanning across generations.

NKOTB made the announcement on the heels of their SOLD OUT Apollo Theater show celebrating the 30th anniversary of their hit packed, breakout album Hangin’ Tough. The special one night only engagement sold out within minutes of onsale and saw NKOTB gracing Harlem’s famed Apollo stage for the first time since they debuted “Please Don’t Go Girl” at the Apollo’s notoriously tough amateur night. The career defining album, Hangin’ Tough produced hits like “Please Don’t Go Girl,” “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”, “I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)”, and “Cover Girl.” The crowd erupted when the band confirmed on stage that Hangin’ Tough will get a special anniversary re-issue in early 2019 with new, never been released music.

Produced by Live Nation, The MixTape Tour will embark on its three month journey beginning May 2nd in Cincinnati, OH and make stops in Nashville, Dallas, Los Angeles, Atlanta and more, before wrapping July 14th in Hollywood, FL. See full itinerary below.

THE MIXTAPE TOUR DATES:

DATE CITY VENUE
Thursday, May 2, 2019 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
Saturday, May 4, 2019 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
Sunday, May 5, 2019 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Tuesday, May 7, 2019 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Wednesday, May 8, 2019 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
Thursday, May 9, 2019 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Friday, May 10, 2019 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum
Saturday, May 11, 2019 New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
Monday, May 13, 2019 Corpus Christi, TX American Bank Center
Wednesday, May 15, 2019 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Thursday, May 16, 2019 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
Friday, May 17, 2019 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Saturday, May 18, 2019 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena
Tuesday, May 21, 2019 El Paso, TX UTEP Don Haskins Center
Wednesday, May 22, 2019 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Arena
Thursday, May 23, 2019 San Diego, CA Viejas Arena
Friday, May 24, 2019 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
Saturday, May 25, 2019 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center
Sunday, May 26, 2019 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 Bakersfield, CA Rabobank Arena
Wednesday, May 29, 2019 San Jose, CA SAP Center
Thursday, May 30, 2019 Sacramento, CA Golden 1 Center
Saturday, June 1, 2019 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
Sunday, June 2, 2019 Portland, OR Moda Center
Tuesday, June 4, 2019 Boise, ID Taco Bell Arena
Thursday, June 6, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena
Friday, June 7, 2019 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Saturday, June 8, 2019 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena
Sunday, June 9, 2019 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
Tuesday, June 11, 2019 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
Wednesday, June 12, 2019 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
Thursday, June 13, 2019 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
Friday, June 14, 2019 Rosemont, IL Allstate Arena
Tuesday, June 18, 2019 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Friday, June 21, 2019 Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center
Saturday, June 22, 2019 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
Sunday, June 23, 2019 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
Tuesday, June 25, 2019 Washington, D.C. Capital One Arena
Thursday, June 27, 2019 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
Friday, June 28, 2019 Boston, MA TD Garden
Sunday, June 30, 2019 Uniondale, NY NYCB, Home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Tuesday, July 2, 2019 Newark, NJ Prudential Center
Wednesday, July 3, 2019 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
Friday, July 5, 2019 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Saturday, July 6, 2019 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
Sunday, July 7, 2019 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
Wednesday, July 10, 2019 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Thursday, July 11, 2019 Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena (Philips)
Friday, July 12, 2019 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Saturday, July 13, 2019 Orlando, FL Amway Center
Sunday, July 14, 2019 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Event Center** This show will go onsale at a later, to be announced, date.

 

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