A guide to online gaming
Most people use their PCs as a method of communication or to do their work, but why not venture into the world of play?
Online gaming has become a global phenomenon, uniting people from across the world in their “quest to beat the warlord”, or something along those lines. Before you navigate away from this guide, thinking “gaming is for geeks who like to pretend they are wizards,” think again.
Online gaming can provide you with a fun break away from work, and can be a great way to meet people.
Almost anyone can play online games provided they are within the prescribed age limit. There are games for children, casino style games for adults, games attached to Facebook that involve your friends or games that you can play with people on the other side of the Earth.
These are games that involve a large amount of players who interact with ach other in a virtual game world. Each player has a fictional character that they create and use to progress through various levels or worlds of the game. Some examples include: World of Warcraft, RuneScape and EverQuest.
The Internet is riddled with quirky games that have gone viral (NOTE: viral in that they are so popular they spread as quick as a virus, not that they contain one).
Viralonlinegames.com has a huge library of games that are short and sweet, usually free to play and are often quite amusing: they vary from sniper shooting stick men to decorating slices of cake!
Facebook has some very popular gaming applications such as Mafia Wars and its most recent craze, Farmville. These applications let you build a profile (or a farm) and you must interact, or as with Mafia Wars, fight with your friends on Facebook and progress through the various stages of the game. Most of these are free to set up but player can purchase virtual goods with actual money.
For adults who enjoy a game of poker there are a number of online casinos that offer games with real money prizes, but of course you will have to pay to enter a game.
PC Site® must warn its readers that online gaming has, however proven to become quite addictive and should you find yourself choosing a battle in World of Warcraft over spending time with your significant other…stop.
This is more often the case with gambling but does also apply to online gaming. There are a number of self-help groups reachable online, such as the OLGA (Online Gamers Anonymous).
Staying safe online is another factor that must be considered with gaming. Some games can be made by scammers who try to get money out of you so be cautious.
They can also be a playground for hackers and spammers so make sure you have up-to-date anti-virus software such as McAfee Total Protection of Norton Internet Security 2010 installed on your PC.
It’s safe to say that gaming has moved along a great deal since the Pong and Pacman era and has evolved into a leisurely pass time that everyone can enjoy (in small doses, remember).
So whether you feel like kicking around a virtual football, dressing up a cartoon princess or playing a hand of Black Jack, why not check out what the Internet has to offer.
Thu, Jan 28, 2010