What Does Gaming Look Like in the Maldives?
Entertainment has always been a core part of the Maldivian culture. Since ancient times, Maldivians have come up with a variety of ways to keep themselves entertained. From unique board games like Thin Hama and Bashi to local variations on card games that are still played today, Maldivians have a long history of keeping boredom away with various forms of amusements.
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Like most things, this has slowly changed over time. While many people and even families still enjoy playing traditional Maldivian games together, a large part of our entertainment focus has turned online. With the internet becoming more accessible for everyone, it’s easy to see why there would be such a major shift in our search for leisure activities. Combined with much cheaper electronics, this has resulted in an explosion of interest in video games both globally and locally.
Starting with the popular handheld Game Boys and Sega and PlayStation 1 consoles in the 90s, to the explosion of high-end smartphones, affordable computers and of course the ever-present and reliable PlayStation consoles of the 2020s, gaming is something that Maldivians have enjoyed for decades. Popular global brands like Pokemon, FIFA and Minecraft have established themselves in the entertainment sphere locally, and much in the same way that people get together to play chess or cards, younger people get together to play these more modern games instead.
This doesn’t mean that people dislike playing those older, more traditional forms of games. It just means that loading up a game on your phone or PS4 is more convenient. You can boot up your console or phone from the comfort of your room and still play with your friends online.
Some people may see this change as a negative, but it has a positive side too. Playing video games is a great way for people to learn problem solving skills and even social skills by engaging with other players. Many introverted youths turn to video games as a way to engage with new people online or spend time with their friends in games in a more controlled setting than the real world.
It’s also worth noting that many traditional diversions like Carrom are still played regularly and a favourite among friends and family groups. While our choices of entertainment may change with time, one thing is for sure - people will always enjoy spending time with each other playing one game or another. That will never change.
