Level Up Your Bets: Exploring Innovative Gambling Games in Video Games

When your video game character gambles, most of the time, they play games that are available pretty much everywhere else. Developers usually stick to existing games, like poker, blackjack, and slot machines, and leave it at that. Rarely do they go the extra mile to actually create a game that’s original and fits right into the in-game universe. There are a few exceptions, though, that we’ll be looking at today.

Caravan (Fallout: New Vegas)

In Fallout: New Vegas, you take on the role of a courier roaming the land that was once Nevada. What was once Sin City is now a city-state called “New Vegas” – and yes, it does have gambling games available. Most of them are things you’d stumble upon in a casino in the actual Las Vegas – there is, in turn, one game in this Fallout iteration that you won’t find in Sin City: Caravan.

The game begins with each player constructing their own deck consisting of at least 30 cards, divided into three caravans. Players take turns playing, discarding, and drawing cards, aiming to build their caravans while blocking opponents’ progress. Face cards can be used to nullify the value of an opponent’s caravan, adding a strategic layer to the game.

Caravan combines elements of luck and strategy, requiring players to carefully plan their moves to outmaneuver their opponents. The game’s rules are relatively straightforward, making it accessible to both casual players and those familiar with traditional card games.

Keystone (Fable II)

Keystone is one of the intriguing gambling games players can stumble upon in the pubs of Albion, one of the three that were even released separately in the “Fable II Pub Games” collection. It is a card-based game that challenges players’ strategic thinking and luck. Video game designer Peter Molyneux described it as a cross between Blackjack and Craps.
In Keystone, players can score points by placing cards on a board with different suits and numbers. The goal is to create runs, matching suits, or scoring with special cards to outmaneuver opponents. Each round brings new opportunities and risks, as players strategize to maximize their scores and hinder their opponents’ progress.

What makes Keystone especially engaging is its combination of luck and skill, much like in real-life blackjack. While the game relies on drawing cards from a shared deck, players must make astute decisions on when and where to place their cards. This delicate balance of chance and strategy keeps players on their toes, making each round unpredictable and exciting.

As players progress, they unlock new cards and gain access to higher-stake matches, adding to the game’s replayability. Additionally, successful play in Keystone can yield in-game currency and items that can be transferred to Fable II, enhancing the player’s character and overall gaming experience.

Triple Triad (Final Fantasy games)

Triple Triad, a game you can stumble upon in several Final Fantasy games, is a bit like poker and blackjack, because it relies in a large part on the players’ strategic thinking and skill, while also giving chance a role to play. It can be surprisingly complex, even if its rules are easy to grasp.

Players take turns placing their cards on the board, strategically positioning them to capture the opponent’s cards by comparing adjacent numbers. A higher number captures an adjacent card with a lower number. Players must carefully plan their moves to secure powerful cards and protect their own.

Final Words

Few video game developers go the extra mile to offer players truly original and unique games to play, that only exist in-universe. Those that did make the effort, have given us truly engaging and entertaining games that would stand their ground in the real world. If real-life poker, blackjack, and slot machines are your thing, though, check out gambleonlineaustralia.com that doesn’t only list the sites where you can find all your favorite games but will also tell you which online casino offers you the best bonus to jumpstart your gambling career. The games are just as much fun to play – and your eventual winnings can be spent in real life.