Ask The Pro: How can I play games online?
There are literally millions of games on the internet, with skill levels ranging from beginner through expert, and themes to fit all tastes, in single-player, two player, and multiplayer setups. These games can be themed for preschoolers and school-age children to help improve reading and learning skills, or for older children (and adults) for trivia, fun, or just to waste time. There are games that can be played for free, games that require single purchases of software, and games that you subscribe to. All these games allow you to interact with, or compete against, others online.
Some of the most popular simple games, requiring no long-term committment on the part of the player, can be found at games.yahoo.com, zone.msn.com and similar sites. Popular games like MahJong, Sheepshead, Blackjack and Chess can be played against other users on these websites. We even offer a Wisconsin Games Page on our own theBubbler.com. These games can range in skill from very simplistic to insanely difficult, depending on the game, and usually require a reasonably up-to-date computer to run decently. These games can be played directly in your web browser, and are usually written in Macromedia Flash, Shockwave or Sun Java, and so usually require the most up-to-date versions of these free programs.
A few of the more obscure games, because of their relative simplicity, will be immediately recognizable by internet ‘old timers’. These are the text-based online games popularized in the 80’s by Bulletin Board Systems, or BBSes. These games include MUDs, MUCKs and ASCII games. Their popularity in this time of flashy games and high-quality sound are due to their extremely low system requirements. You can play them on ancient computers and still get the full effect, because, like a good book, most of the action happens in your own imagination.
MUDs, or Multi-User Dungeons, get their name from a popular game series called Dungeons and Dragons, where a series of players go on quests or campaigns to complete a goal or accumulate prizes. MUCKs, or Multi-User Chat Kingdoms, share the same look, but are a more relaxed environment. Instead of slaying monsters, you can kick back and roleplay with your friends. ASCII games are significantly different from both MUDs and MUCKS, in that the only form of competition is to see who can finish the game fastest, or get the most points.
There is a class of games called FPSes, or First-Person Shooters, though they don’t always involve shooting. This class of online games gets their name from the way the game is played: you are seeing the game in the first-person perspective, or through the character’s eyes. This category includes such classics as Unreal, CounterStrike and the new and very popular Second Life or Final Fantasy XI. These games, like their text-only counterparts, range in complexity, skill level and game goal, and almost always require a powerful computer to play due to the graphical detail.
You might consider online games to attract viewers and repeat viewers to your website, as we do on theBubbler.com. Surveys and contests like those on Sites4Brokers.com (courtesy of KnowYourBiz.com) encourage users to provide information, helping you learn more about your prospects and customers.
While there are many safe choices for online gaming, online betting and casino sites abound. Many of these sites have reputations for scamming users by not paying out promised winnings. Some of these sites exist only to steal credit card numbers. Use caution with any gaming website that asks for a credit card. Online gambling is also illegal in some states; be sure to check your state’s laws.
Links Mentioned in this Article:
- games.yahoo.com
- zone.msn.com
- theBubbler.com/games
- macromedia.com
- sdc.shockwave.com
- java.sun.com
- Unreal.com
- Counter-Strike.net
- SecondLife.com
- playonline.com/ff11us/index.shtml
- sites4brokers.com/epgabout.php
What would you like to ask the pro? Email your questions to askthepro@OnYourMark.com!