Tag Archives: Online

Children’s Online Games

Children’s Online Games

While the World Wide Web expands, more and more individuals are getting online for all of their necessities and for their enjoyment. Online games are just one of the many different ways to enjoy the internet. But, there is a newer trend happening right now. Instead of just throwing our attentions to online gaming atmospheres, we can also allow our children to enjoy the wider world of entertaining online. But, is it safe? And, even if it is, should we allow our children to be using online gaming at all? Is it any better than them sitting in front of a television?

Many parents simply do not have the time to monitor all the activity their children are having online. All parents need to know that there are many predators online that are seeking out our youngsters. But, there are ways to prevent them from coming near to our children. For example, in online gaming rooms, you can easily disable chatting and interaction. You can also disable instant messages as well. Yet, an even more effective manner for protecting our children while they are online is to simply keep the computer they will be using right in the living room, the kitchen or in any area that is open where you can see what’s going on just by turning your head. When parents are aware of what is going on while their children are online, they can keep their children better protected. And, it’s never too soon to talk to your children about stranger danger even on the computer.

Okay, but what about the gaming? Should we allow our children online to play games?

It is important to break down some age levels here. For children who are young, it is essential to allow them time to learn about computers, but you need to do it in a one on one situation. In these cases, there are many games that are actually quite beneficial for them to play. Many games can teach reading skills, math skills, and many other aspects of learning. And, because it is fun, kids simply love to do it. They enjoy the colors, the sounds, and the idea of playing with Mommy or Daddy. It’s a great time for some bonding as well.

Then, we can look towards the older age. Those who enjoy cartoons on television will love the games that focus around these topics. And, you’ll find many games that do. Online games like these can help with motor skills and computer usage skills. But, why not teach them a little by getting them into a different type of game, one that will challenge them. For example, word puzzles and just puzzles in general can stimulate the mind in many ways. Or, teach them a little history with a program like Oregon (or Amazon) Trail in which they need to survive a treacherous trek through the wilderness. Even older children can benefit from the “Sim” games as well. The less violent ones are better because they teach your little entrepreneurs to use many skills to build cities, buildings, companies…you get the idea.

When it comes to allowing teens online, you really need to allow at least some online time. At that age, they are into communicating with their friends through email and instant messages, but interactive games are very popular. Competing against friends is a definite need that many kids have. Is it any worse or any better than a Playstation or Xbox system? Probably not, but at least they are interacting with others. And, you can somewhat monitor their actions or limit their internet exploring when you provide them with what many ISP’s are offering and that is parental controls on accounts set up just for kids.

So, where does that leave us and the online gaming world? Should children be allowed online? Yes, we believe that kids of all ages should at least have the opportunity to learn how to use the computer. It is an essential skill. But, what about playing games? Yes, they need this too. In a safe environment, there are few other places that you can play so many games for a low cost. They can learn from them as well. You can monitor just what they are doing. If you are a parent trying to figure out where you stand with your children being online, consider it a learning experience to allow them to surf with you, even if it’s just once. Then, you will be able to see just what is out there to offer your children and how well they enjoy it.

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Online Gaming

Online Gaming

For Mom and Dad…

Have you ever wondered what your child was rambling on about at the dinner table when he or she started saying things like “VR” or “RPG”? If so, you’re not alone. “VR” and “RPG” aren’t new text messaging acronyms – they’re acronyms for gaming and this article is going to introduce you to some of the more common forms.

If you at least thought of the Internet when you heard “VR” or “RPG” however, you’re on the right track. Exclusive to the online environment, “VR” or “RPG” – which consequently stands for virtual reality gaming and role playing games – are just two aspects of a gaming world gone wild. The days of playing scrabble in front of the fireplace are over in today’s generation, but we don’t believe you’ll hear too many people complaining about it. Today’s generation is fascinated with online gaming – an opportunity to play games over the Internet with hundreds of people at a time.

Available to anyone with a computer and fast Internet connection, there are thousands of online games available to play by anyone… sometimes free and sometimes for a fee. They range from the familiar family board games to strange and more complicated games which require a hundred page manual to understand. One thing that they all have in common however is that they’re fun to play.

The most common type of online game you’ll probably run into is the Flash game – usually located on educational sites or Yahoo! for Kids for example. These games may or may not involve other players, but they’re always full of color, they’re fast to download, and they’re fun to play. Since they run inside the web browser, no special equipment is needed. These are the simple games – more intriguing than checkers, but no more difficult to play than chess.

Another type of online gaming is more violent than the ones we described above and it’s similar to the “shoot-em-up” type games found on the first Nintendo and Playstation systems. Designed from the first person’s point of view, the player typically maneuvers around the screen as a weapon-clad hand – periodically changing weapons as the game’s scenario permits. The violence in these games vary from mild to offensive, and as a parent, you’re cautioned to monitor your children’s access to them – especially since these games are played online with other people.

Next, in terms of complication or violence, comes the virtual reality gaming and role playing games that we introduced earlier. These types of games require an extensive amount of time spent online since players assume the role of a game character in play. Players work hard to build up an inventory of weapons or skills – none of which can be accomplished in a period of thirty minutes or less. They then go on to interact with other characters which extends game time even longer (if it even stops). Both virtual reality gaming and role playing games require and encourage strategic thinking, but as parents, you may not be comfortable with the violence that’s prominent in some of these games. Nor may you be comfortable with the amount of time that playing these kinds of games can consume. Depending on the complexity of the game, any one person could spend at least six months at a game and having access to thousands of other players simultaneously doesn’t exactly make them easy to walk away from.

Our best advice is to learn about these games right along with your child and make the decision to play them (or not play them) together. You can find some helpful advice about making computer decisions with children in our article entitled, “Protecting Children Online.”
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Exploring Online Gaming Types

Exploring Online Gaming Types

The online gaming community is an extremely popular area for those who experience a true rush when playing video games. In addition to this, many individuals have discovered that there are numerous social advantages to participating in online gaming communities. Businesses have made millions of dollars by sponsoring this online gaming community. There are many online gaming types. In this article, you will receive an introduction to them.

The first type of gaming that you can engage in on a virtual playground is that which is considered to be action and/or adventure games. With these types of games, you can find games that offer various types of situations where you must implement the use of various strategies to succeed, games that allow you to fight against computer generated characters, as well as real players from around the world. It is quite common for games of this type in online gaming communities to have a story line in which you are seeking an end resolution to.

The second type of game that is common to online gaming communities is that of standard card games. There are many different types of card games that you can choose from when playing online. These games may include many popular selections of poker, spades, and more! To date, engaging in online card games remains one of the most popular choices in the online gaming community.

The third most popular type of game that is available in online gaming communities are arcade style games. Everyone loves arcade games! This is especially true of the online gamers who spent a lot of time in video arcades in the 80s. There are many arcade games that continue to remain popular in the online gaming community. These games include Pac Man, Q-Bert, and various others.

There are many individuals in online gaming communities that enjoy participating in board games online. There are many board games, such as Life, and Monopoly that can be played online. Many families can participate in these board games. This makes the online gaming community a great place for the families who still implement the popular “game night” in their homes!

Casino type games are another type of game that remains popular in online gaming communities. Players can actually place virtual or real bets, play against other individuals around the world, and sharpen their gambling skills. Furthermore, players can play popular casino games such as roulette, poker, slots, and more!

Strategy or role-playing games are very popular in the online gaming community. Games such as those offered by Lucas Arts Entertainment are among the most played. Neopets, Wolrd of WarCraft, and numerous others generate millions of dollars each year by players that participate.

As you can see, there are many types of games that are offered in online gaming communities. Each person that has an interest in games is able to select a type of game that they will enjoy. There are many online gaming communities that are free. Some online gaming communities require players register and subscribe to the features of the community.

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Playing Online Games Pro-Style

Playing Online Games Pro-Style

Even if you don’t know what you’re doing…

One of the most intimidating parts of getting started with online gaming is getting over the fear of screwing things up for other players. It’s one thing to play a game and make mistakes at home, but it’s an entirely different thing to play a game and make mistakes that can cause failure in the game plays of others. But there’s no reason to let this fear stop you or another gaming newbie from having fun. This article will give you the in’s and out’s of online gaming so that you can start with the confidence you need to continue on.

The first step anyone new to online gaming should take is to first, learn how to play offline. You can read the game’s manual and save yourself from seeing the infamous acronym, “RTFM” scroll across your screen. Know what that acronym stands for? It stands for “Read The Fu**ing Manual” and its spewed by serious gamers to vulnerable newbies who interrupt a game with questions like, “What is this place?” or “What am I supposed to do?”

You could search the web for game related discussion groups, FAQ’s, and walkthroughs. And you could learn more from game specific Usenet newsgroups. In other words, you could do your “homework.” Some of the kind of information you want to learn includes how to play, how to create characters, how to gather equipment, and how to implement some smart strategies. Trust us when we say your gaming comrades will appreciate it!

In addition to reading how to play an online game, you can familiarize yourself with the game’s interface. Just as you searched the net for a game’s textual instruction, you can additionally search the net for a game’s screenshot (or series of screenshots). Having a graphical representation (.gif or .jpg image) of a game on your screen gives you a chance to memorize where all the game’s controls are. Knowing where everything is on a game before you play will speed things up not only for yourself, but also for everyone else. No one wants to wait for you to search for an inventory panel or message screen in a game when the location of these items is obvious to everyone else.

Once you start with a game, don’t let the pressure of staying in the game prevent you from doing the unthinkable: dying. A character dying in a game is inevitable at certain points, and unless you willingly let go of a lose-lose situation, you’ll run the risk of holding the game up for everyone else. It’s like a game of chess. If it’s checkmate – it’s checkmate. Call it a day and start anew. Whatever you do, don’t hang around waiting for some magical fairy to come to your rescue. Please let your character die with dignity.

On the same token, you don’t want to take dying personally. Remember that online gaming is still just a game. A character that dies in a game is not representative of your character as a person. Turn a death into learning experience. At the very least, you’ll learn your way around an online game by learning all the things that you aren’t supposed to do!

Above all else, ensure that your computer has what it takes to maintain the current pace of an online game. Don’t try to play an online game with a slow computer or slow Internet connection. In fact, if you’re still using dial up, find another hobby. A slow processor and connection will ensure instant death because other players aren’t going to politely wait for their own defeat. They’re going to squash you like a bug.

Hunt around for a computer that was built for online gaming and get a DSL or ISDN Internet connection. You’ll need a fast processor, a high quality graphics card, and a sound machine to match.

By following these simple suggestions, you will have passed the “newbie” test and earned respect as a serious gamer much more quickly than if you stumbled your way through what others pride as “the ultimate hobby.”

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Why Do People Play Online Games

Why Do People Play Online Games

In a recent article on CNET, William Moss observes that in an Internet cafe in China, of the couple of hundred people using the cafe when he visited it, with the exception of two people, everyone else was seen using them to play computer games.

People paying money just to play online games on hourly basis show the pull and popularity of the online games.

Here is an attempt to understand why online games are so popular these days?

An online game literally refers to the type of game, which is played on your computer while you are connected to the Internet. These can be single player games that you play with a remote server or multiplayer games where many users like you are playing with each other.

There was a time when computer games were for the so-called nerds or geeks who were basically solitary beings. With the rise in popularity of the Internet and with broadband access becoming increasingly affordable, the quality of free online games being offered has increased dramatically. Playing games online is no longer a solitary activity. Studies show that it is a social experience that more and more extroverts and out-going people are becoming part of.

Free gaming sites have become the places for players to meet and have social interactions. Popular regulars at gaming sites are a common phenomenon that we all are aware of. These gaming sites typically offer games that range from a quick, casual game during your coffee break to engaging multi-player games.

Why do people play online games?
a. Firstly, the appeal of anonymity. After all you can create a personality for yourself and can be what ever you want to be. This is a very powerful reason for people to hang out at these social sites.

b. Internet is a wonderful medium that enables you to be part of a society where all are equal. Absolutely no discrimination of any variety.

c. The games are becoming increasingly easy to setup. Most of the times you just don’t need a native installation on your PC. A web browser is all you need to play a multiplayer game. This has taken away the operating system related hurdles that one would otherwise have encountered. These games are mostly free and on top of that you don’t have to install anything to enable you to play these games. You just heard of game, perhaps from a friend or through an email or a newsletter. You just go to the gaming website and you are ready to play. No setup related hassles at all. This definitely is a very big contributor to the success and popularity of online games.

d. Online games are popular because they give people who are bored playing with their computer a chance to interact with real opponents. As a player you can chat with other players, you can join hands a few players and scheme against the others, just the way you do in real world, but with the advantage of anonymity.

I am sure there are more reasons. This in itself can be a topic of research for social scientists. Internet is changing the way we live. It is changing the way we play for sure.

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