What do you get when you combine innovation, practicality, affordability, simplicity and, well, awesomeness? If your answer involved any combination of the words “Braintree” and “Gaming” (or, in an ideal world, Braintree Gaming), you’re pretty much on the money.

You may not have noticed (on account of it being so subtle) but life has been pretty…. stressful lately. Stressful enough to induce bouts of controller smashing, curse-word abundant fits of rage – assuming, of course, you have a console to start with. Which, you may be surprised to hear, isn’t as common in South Africa as you may think – or should we say wasn’t?

Introducing Gaming by Braintree, which takes the concept of affordable, accessible Gaming and completely redefines it.

You see, back in the day (and by that we mean 2019), taking a break or relieving stress could mean anything from a night out on the town to a day at a spa. Today, things have changed, the world has gone remote, and we’re seeing increased popularity amongst alternate ways of escapism.

With this in mind, Braintree Gaming was born – your platform to doing everything you’ve dreamt of without stressing about the logistics.

Feel like fishing or taking control of Man United? What about saving the president or jumping out a plane? Does this whole pandemic remind you of an apocalypse which needs navigating, or are you just frustrated and seeking pure, unadulterated chaos in whichever open world RPG does it best for you? Imagine a universe where you can be the best footballer in the world and a master assassin in the space of an hour. A world where you can fly, drive or shoot anything you wanted. A world where lockdown and curfew genuinely didn’t exist, and where your superheroes aren’t just real- they’re you.

Well, welcome to the world of Gaming – and we’re glad to have you join our team.

In fact, you wouldn’t be the only one to do so, as studies indicate that as of 2020 there are an estimated 2.7 billion gamers worldwide- the highest number in human history. With an average age of 34, it’s interesting to note that this constitutes both kids and grown-ups accordingly.

A common misconception, however, is that gaming is only for “serious” gamers. The words “noob” and tales of pro-players destroying all challengers are greatly exaggerated. Yes, there is a competitive element should you wish to partake in it, but gaming has never lost its purity in that all it takes to enjoy is a console, the right game, and some free time. Young, old, it’s all good- pick up and play is a thing of the present.

And, for those of you who know you’ll be greeted with eyerolls at the suggestion of a new console (“you’re too old! Grow up!”), here’s some facts to back up your motivation:

  • Studies have shown that not only do action games enhance attention spans, but they also assist with language learning and decision making.
  • Gaming in general has been scientifically proven to overcome bias and cognitive dissonance.
  • Again, studies have shown that regular gameplay can improve overall mental health and have an uplifting effect on moods.
  • More studies (people have really investigated this) indicate that gaming has a positive impact on both cognitive and social skills.
  • Gaming has also been proven to assist with the following:
  • Foundation Skills: achievement drive, self-awareness, critical thinking, and self-confidence.
  • Performance Skills: Perceptual, Motor, Attentional and Timing.
  • Problem Solving: Personal Development, Identity, Creativity, EQ and Self-Esteem.
  • Decision Making: Team Skills, Leadership, Communication, Cohesion and People Management.

(This is where you scream “yeah, science!”).

Look, we’re not saying that a new console will cure the blues, but we are saying that blowing off some steam is an essential part of dealing with today’s external world. And we speak from personal experience when we say that while the concept of gamers may scream spotted pre-teens and Fortnite, the reality is a mix of countries, ages and demographics combining in one of the few truly unbiased, free-to-join examples of multi-culturalism in the world.

However, the economic impact of the world we live in has created a similarly universal need to tighten belts and pinch pennies. In other words? Outright purchasing a console is, to many, an unattainable dream at this stage.

But does using one need to be?

Braintree Gaming was born off the back of Vox Gaming, which you may remember aimed to eradicate issues such as affordability to reach players across the board. Gone are the days where you needed a massive capital outlay to afford a basic console. You can say goodbye to long lines outside Makro on Black Friday, to trying to find a console repair shop at the eleventh hour or wondering which title to buy your introverted nephew.

At Braintree Gaming, we bring you the best of all worlds, with rental options AND option to outright purchase across a variety of consoles and hardware models. Better yet, our unique SLA allows for full repairs and replacement at no extra charge should you be renting from us and require it. It doesn’t stop there. We offer discounted rates on Fibre and Xbox combos, unprecedented access to a wealth of features (such as QoS) designed to enhance gameplay, and a network of Gaming events, tournaments and prize bearing competitions for you to enter (and hopefully win).

No longer do you have to spend an arm and a leg on something which will be obsolete within a short few years. Braintree Gaming is rapidly redefining the concept of a ‘one-stop-shop’ to allow players a simplified experience. Need your Xbox Game Pass? We’ve got you. Looking for a voucher for someone special? You bet you’re covered with us. Need news, information, the latest industry developments, and your informational hub for all things Gaming? Look no further – we’ve got you covered.

The magic of gaming is that anyone can enjoy it. Guys, girls, parents, even grandparents- there’s no age limit to who can have fun – which should, in theory, make this open for all to partake in. Sadly, our country faces many challenges in terms of accessibility and affordability – until now, that is. We rent, we supply, we assist, we support – it’s literally a case of Push Start and you’re good to go.

Yup, it really is that simple- but, then again, isn’t that what gaming is all about?