Gaming doesn’t have to be a home activity. In fact, many gamers love to travel, and thanks to modern technology, you don’t have to sacrifice one hobby for another. You can enjoy your favorite games while enjoying your favorite places!
But how do you combine gaming with travel? We’ve gathered some tips for gamers like you.
- Plan ahead with gaming in mind
Planning a trip in advance seems obvious, but keep in mind that planning a standard vacation is different from planning a gaming vacation. If you don’t want to take a break from games, you need to take into account that you won’t be able to play everywhere.
Before you set out, research the stops you’ll visit and check whether they are gaming-friendly. By this, we mainly mean access to fast and reliable internet. If the answer is “no,” there are plenty of offline games to choose from – but keep in mind that if your destination doesn’t offer a good connection, you’ll have to download them before you travel.
- Pack smartly
Clothes, skin care products, sunglasses… This is standard equipment for a vacation, but gamers need to pack other things as well. If you’re a fan of PC games, you’ll need a gaming laptop and a mouse, as playing on a touchpad is nearly impossible. In addition, it’s a good idea to bring an external SSD, as some games take up a lot of space, and the built-in hard drive may not be enough. You can, of course, delete games and download them again as needed, but downloading larger games can take hours, especially on hotel Wi-Fi.
Of course, you don’t have to play on a PC. There are plenty of portable consoles that are perfect for travel, like Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. Many games are compatible with them, so you’ll never get bored.
Also, consider packing a few accessories:
- a power bank for when you’re on the road;
- your preferred controllers;
- a mouse pad if you play with a mouse;
- headphones for full immersion;
- chargers, batteries, and all necessary cables.
3. Install an eSIM app
An international eSIM card is ideal for all travelers, especially those who game. Wi-Fi isn’t always available when you’re traveling, and if you like online gaming, this can be a huge problem. eSIM cards solve the issue by providing an affordable mobile internet connection wherever you are.
It’s like having a SIM card from a local carrier, but you don’t have to buy anything from a physical store. An eSIM card can be purchased and activated online with just a few taps. It is as good for general traveling as it is for gaming. It allows you to stay connected no matter and what without relying on expensive roaming services.
4. Utilize Steam features
Steam, one of the most popular video game distribution services, can be a huge help to traveling gamers. First, your account stores the games you’ve purchased, so whenever you want to download them, you’ll be able to do so (provided you have access to a reliable internet connection).
Second, some games on Steam have a Steam Cloud feature that allows you to upload saved files to the cloud. This feature is great for gamers who like to switch between devices. Steam cloud saves can be synced between devices, and you can always start the game where you last stopped.
5. Watch others play games
If, for whatever reason, you’re unable to play your favorite game, you can still enjoy it by watching others play. Twitch and YouTube are perfect for this. If you have an internet connection, you can find creators who play the games you like and, who knows, maybe learn some tips, tricks, and techniques.
Game streams and videos can also be a way to meet like-minded people as fans gather in chat rooms to talk. Many creators set up Discord servers for their communities, which you can join, and chat with others if you’d like.
6. Take care of your cybersecurity
Whether you play games at home or while traveling, cybersecurity is always important. If you have the option, secure all your devices with tracking services. This way, it will be easier to find them if they get lost or stolen. Also, if possible, enable remote data wiping – if your device is stolen or lost, you’ll be able to wipe it and remotely delete all personal data.
Be sure to set strong passwords, and if you use public Wi-Fi to download and play games, consider connecting via a reliable VPN. A VPN service will encrypt your data and protect it from potential hackers spying on your personal information.
