Although Ludo joined the league of online multiplayer games way before the COVID-19 lockdown came into effect, its popularity in India mainly soared when everyone was under quarantine. There were several reasons for this, such as:
1. People had more free time:
The first phase of the lockdown happened quite suddenly in India, which left many offices and schools in a dilemma on how to continue their operations. While companies and educational institutions were busy figuring out a remote working and learning model, many students and professionals had more free time to explore new forms of entertainment. Online Ludo emerged as an easy game in the eyes of millions of people due to its simple gameplay.
Secondly, a lot of people were free at the same time, so it was easier for Ludo players to find opponents through in-game features. Certain Ludo apps were also built on a cash games model, which proved to be a method for making extra money when work was paused. This encouraged even those who had never played Ludo to try and test this game.
2. Ludo helped avoid isolation:
Social distancing rules severely impacted communication, and that’s when popular games like Ludo emerged as a silver lining. Certain online Ludo apps and platforms introduce live chat features, which helped friends and family stay in touch even if they were physically distant. The goal was to replicate the traditional Ludo gameplay by introducing a method to enable social interaction. Since Ludo is a game that requires people to stay concentrated and mindful during the game, online Ludo also served as a temporary escape from quarantine-induced stress.
Moreover, many got to relive nostalgia, which further made fun games like Ludo more appealing to those who grew up in the absence of the internet. Ludo became a method for the young generation to connect with elders and spend time together.
3. Many had access to smartphones and the internet:
Work and education temporarily adopted an all-online model, which resulted in smartphones, computers, and the internet becoming a necessity for the working class. With more people owning smartphones and computers, many had the opportunity to discover games like online Ludo. Ludo’s online presence was more appealing during the quarantine because many feared the exchange of viruses that could happen if Ludo was played using a physical board. Online Ludo was more convenient and accessible, as most Ludo apps and websites didn’t require users to pay to indulge in the game.
Likewise, many developers realized the rise in Ludo’s popularity and actively engaged in making different variations of it, such as Ludo with similar attributes to money games, single-player Ludo, and many more. Such variations opened the opportunity for people with varying preferences to find their ideal Ludo game. The development of new Ludo games not only highlighted the creativity of developers but also acted as a means for them to earn money through in-app purchases and advertisements.
Final Thoughts:
Ludo has always been a popular game for ages, but its online counterpart experienced a meteoric rise in popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown in India. Ludo served as a means to reduce stress and connect with physically distant friends and family. This was made possible by a greater availability of free time coupled with the omnipresence of smartphones and the internet.