Saturday, February 5, 2011

Massively Multiplayer Online Games

by: Jonathon Hardcastle

The most important aspect of a game that inspires more gamers to play it is the amount of challenge it provides. The best way of making a game more challenging is to make it multiplayer. Because Artificial Intelligence in computer games has not reached a point yet where it can predict every kind of move you make and also every kind of player, they are easy to beat once you understand the patterns they follow. In multiplayer games however, you get to play with and against other gamers, and each time you play someone new you face a new kind of challenge. Owing to this fact, the game developers came up with a new category of games. This category is Massively Multiplayer Online Game or MMOG and enables thousands of players to join and play the game simultaneously via the internet.

There are some MMOG's these days that have servers all around the globe connected to each other, enabling gamers to interact and play each other from every corner of the globe. Most MMOG's create a persistent universe where the game goes on whether any player is online or not. Since however, it stresses on multiplayer gameplay, they usually have Artificial Intelligence, to allow the game to be played in single player mode and people do not leave if there is no other person online.

Unlike single player games MMOG's do not have an end point in the game. They are modeled in a way that the game goes on and the characters within it develop like real life. Only a few MMOG's have a winning condition that too based on the standings of the players after due time the game has been played.

MMOG's are able to support thousands of players online simultaneously. Because of the diversity of gamers playing these games from around the globe and the amount of detail the game developers put into these games, they are very challenging and filled with endless new experiences. Some MMOG's allow clans to be formed, so people can form their own groups of gamers and compete with other groups. This makes the game even more challenging as each clan tried to overpower the other clans.
 

The Appeal Of Free Online Games...

by: Jonathan White

Why do we all play these games? What is the formula for the simple yet wildly addictive gameplay of these little Flash programs? Why is it that we find the time passing so quickly? We know they are simple, we know that we probably have better designs floating around on our hard drives, yet for some reason, we all come back to the tried and tested Flash game. What could that reason be?

Convenience? One of the main upsides to flash games is that you can pick up and play whenever you want, there is no preparation needed, no decisions to be made. You play when you want, for how long you want, you can pause the game if needed and quickly alt-tab when your teacher or boss comes over.

Simplicity? The easy controls and simple graphics mean that even people unaccustomed to the Internet or gaming can enjoy a little play on Flash games. Old or young, the designs are made to deliver gameplay without fluff, so it's easy to get something out of it.

Arcade-Style Competition? You are always playing against a score, you can always better yourself and rank higher than before. Everyone wants his or her name on the leader board. This is like the feel of an arcade, where the ultimate prize is your name being on top for all to see. In some countries, arcades are very competitive, and Flash games to a point bring this competition to everybody.

Infinite? Because of the nature of Flash games, you can never 'complete' most of them. In a normal game, when you slay the dragon, or finish the last level, you win. In a Flash game, your goals are only set by yourself, and once you achieve them, you can always set a higher one.

Calming? Lots of games can actually be very stressful. Games cause people to throw controllers, roar at screens and generally make a fool of themselves. Most Flash games feel a lot more 'fun' and 'casual' due to the nature of knowing you can get back to where you were fairly easily.

Cross-Platform? It doesn't matter if you use Windows, MacOS, Linux or any other web-ready operating system. Flash games are easily accessible to everybody, no matter where you are. You can even play them on some modern cellphones and handhelds. This allows users on different platforms to directly compete in a field, something rare in modern OS-specific gaming. 

Online Games - Touching Horizons With Teeming Popularity

by: Jonathan White

Creative signatures of the human brain, depicting horizons of creativity and imagination, online flash and shockwave games are catching up for their entertainment and educational value. The contributions of the multi-billion-dollar industry is commanding attention, respect and interest from all age groups, be it a toddler or an eighty year old.

Quenching your thirst for excitement and action, the online games come in an overall enchanting package. The superior multimedia support to the bright, colorful and vibrant graphics, in tempting combination with a whole spectrum of brilliant game ideas, renders the online games popular and far-reaching.

In a further deadly combination, the games are available free of cost that do not need to be subscribed to for an instant play on site or for a download, to suit the preferences and requirements of the game enthusiasts. The economical nature of these online games is further gratified by their group presence and availability. These games can be found in a one-stop shop manner on almost all games sites that may be dedicated online games sites like pogo.com or games offered as a clever diversification of the website to attract web traffic, like Yahoo games.

In order to keep up with the ever-elevating expectations and thirst for more excitement and fun from a new game, the industry witnesses’ use of the state-of-the-art technologies in development of online games. The industry ensures delivery of mesmerizing three-dimensional true to life graphics coupled with equally realistic multimedia support, to complement a sound logic and an overwhelming game plan.

The popularity of the free online flash and shockwave games stands bolstered up by natural instincts and inclinations of human nature. As human mind is naturally attracted to a taste of excitement, challenge, achievement and an opportunity to prove oneself better, the flash and shockwave games capture the fantasy of young and old alike as a superior time pass.

Furthermore, the orthodox blemishes as regards the harmful and evil nature of these games are fading steadily and incessantly as the studies reveal their better sides to the corporate world. It is increasingly being accepted in the employment arena that proficiency in computer games is an evidence of a sharper and quicker mind. So much so that companies are actually incorporating computer games as a part of employment strategy leading to full-time absorption of a candidate into the company.

The age-old beliefs as regards the detrimental effects of computer games on health are also being defied with science revealing computer games as an exercise for eyes and the brain. Now computer games are being looked at more than means of entertainment, as studies portray online computer games as a means to nurture logical thinking faculties of human brain, sharpen problem-solving skills, increase brain function, improve hand-eye coordination and enhance social skills.

Thus, these online games allow players to explore and refine certain skills and traits of ones personality, in terms of reflexes, logical thinking, ability to work hard, patience and resolve. The tempting online games are coupled with its delivery of a fancy world so real and engrossing, presenting an irresistible challenge for the brain. 

Overview Of Types Of Popular Online Games

 by: Jonathan White

Welcome to the virtual world of online games, which bringsforth any location or enviornment alive and kicking for you to absolutely amaze you and helplessly tempt you to play one of those multitude of online games, generously action-packed and time bound. An apt and effective selection of visual and sound stimuli in each case, coupled with an interesting plot and theme, unremittingly leaves you in another world, making you forget about reality for some odd hours, at least till you are glued up to that computer screen showing your favorite game in its full bloom.

In order to keep up with the ever-elevating thirst for more fun and excitement of patrons, the online gaming industry uses the state-of-the-art technologies in development of online games. The websites offering free of cost online games offer a whole spectrum of tempting game categories, like action and adventure games, arcade games, board games, card games, casino games, puzzle games, word games, strategy games, sports games, detective theme based games, shooting games et al, to sweep you off your feet.

While action and adventure games and shooting games can be clubbed together for their violence element, they are popular in their own right. Shooting games are distinctly sought after by ardent gamers and so command a distinct mention as well. Of all online games, board games are the most popular games. As per trend observed in the online gaming industry, casual gamers enjoy simple decision making games and less technical 3 D graphics games. Traditional gamers enjoy more complex games.

To begin with, action and adventure games involve fighting games, space adventure games and situational games where the player is required to achieve some objectives. These games are generally rich in animation and come with a story line.

Arcade Games are analogous to the games one finds in one of the offline games arcade, beautiful bright displays teeming with a tempting objective to achieve!

Board Games are undisputed favorites on the web, which are basically online animated versions of the traditional board games of our real life like chess, Literati, Monopoly, Dominoes etc.

As obvious from the name itself, Card Games are ever popular games designed with playing cards. There are multitude of interesting games out there if you are fond of playing cards. 

Online Multiplayer Games

by: Nipul Pravin

Today’s generation is very lucky compared to last generation. We are so lucky that in some few years the whole world has changed. We are all inter-connected via internet. Internet is the biggest thing happened for today’s generation like automobile cars happened to older generation. We send emails in a second, chat or talk via internet and a lot more. You may think the potential for internet is over but think again.

There is a new trend coming of multiplayer games. We always enjoyed playing games but we enjoyed even more with our friends. I used love those Mortal Combats games. My friend and I had a hack load of fun with it. However sometimes we all wished it would be better if we can play together but does not have to be at one place.

Now with the help of internet we can play games online no mater wherever you are. Online multiplayer games are connecting the world. People can play games together with their friend online for free. It does not have to be your friend or wait for him to play. There are 6 billion people who have access to internet and you can play these online multiplayer games with anyone. Some of the games are not even limited to two players. The whole community can play together at one time.
 

Dora The Explorer Online Games: Giving Your Child Fun For Free

by: Low Jeremy

What can be better than getting your children something to play with in your computer that provides fun, excitement, challenge, and education for free?

The internet provides these kinds of games that will really get your children excited. An example of free online games for children is Dora the Explorer. You may have seen Dora the Explorer on TV. And, you may notice how your child can really learn about math, music, physical coordination and even learn how to speak some basic Spanish language with Dora the Explorer.

Dora the Explorer online games will let your children interact with Dora and her friends and can take them to the imaginative world of Dora where your child can meet Dora’s friends.

You may notice that Dora the Explorer television show can also teach your children how to observe situations and solve problems. Because of this, you may want to consider letting your children play Dora the Explorer free online games.

Dora the Explorer free online game is available in a number of websites where you can easily access it and let your child start playing the game. All you have to do after the play page load is to read the instruction and orient your child how to play with Dora the Explorer online game.

Dora the Explorer online games, like the TV show will let your child interact with Dora and her pet monkey, Boots, to help them solve different situations and problems. And, like the TV show, your child can learn a bit of Spanish language.

Dora the Explorer online game can be fun for your child to play with and it is also a great way to spend some time with them. Dora the Explorer online game has easy to understand instruction where your child can easily comprehend and figure out how to play the game.

There are a number of different kinds of Dora the Explorer free online games available, some are adventure games, some are puzzle games and some are downloadable games that you can play even if you’re offline or when you’re not connected to the Internet.

These games usually include Dora’s voice to make it more appealing to your children. Another great feature is that it teaches your children about things while they are having fun. Playing these games can really develop a child’s problem solving skills. This is because, it provides fun and as you may know it is easier to learn something when you are having fun. 

Analysts are Stunned by Lucrative Online Skill Games Market

by: Lance Verster

The online skill games market is raking in an astounding $412.00 (USD) per second, sending analysts into a frenzy.

As rapidly as the internet marketplace has grown overall, the market for skill games has grown at nearly four times the rate. The online games market is on target to grow from the $3.4 billion (USD) produced in 2005 to more than $13 billion ($412 per second) by year 2011, according to the most recent report from analyst firm DFC Intelligence.

$5.2 billion dollars is the genre's current market valuation (2007). That works out to approximately $164.00 USD per second. Within the next five minutes, players worldwide will spend almost $50,000 on games online.

The combination of this amount being spent and the projected future growth makes this industry a hot ticket for companies like MTV Networks,who are eager to get their slice of the action.

What is the meaning of a "game of skill"? "A skill based game is a internet game played in a tournament format, with each player paying a cash entry fee to play, and with a cash or merchandise prize going to the winner or winners of the tournament" according to The International Game Developers Association.

Skill games derive their name from their greater dependence on ability, and much lower dependence on luck, to successfully win at them. This is a critical point to keep in mind, as games relying solely on luck or chance may be restricted by anti-gambling legislation.

Is it legal to play or provide skill-based games? In the United States, the Skill Game Protection Act, or HR 2610, was introduced on June 7, 2007 by Robert Wexler (Congressman, NY), making games of skill, such as poker, bridge, and chess, legal to play and provide online access to for profit.

In other countries, games that rely on a player's skill or ability, and leave little influence of their outcome to luck, are typically legal. Before attempting to test your ability at skill games, however, it would be advisable to make sure you're familiar with the regulations in your country.