So welcome to your first steps towards online gaming. There’s a huge variety of online games out there – it’s all about finding the right style for you, and the best places to play.
Let’s start with the real basics, and give you a quick run through of the main types of online games you can encounter:
Massively Multiplayer and Roleplaying Games
Often considered the domain of real internet gamers, Massively Multiplayer games (also known as MMPORGs) are absorbing, immersive games that invite you to role-play as a character in an imaginary, online world. World of Warcraft is perhaps the best known, but it’s not always dungeons and dragons.
Strategy and Team Games
Be it sport style games or controlling your own empire, the main difference with online strategy games is that you generally control more than one avatar, giving you more options for playing. Think of Sim City or even Farmville and you can see the variation you can get with strategy-based games. With sport style games, it’s all about winning, whether you choose to compete on the track or on the field.
Hidden Object Games
Remember the fun you used to have playing I-Spy on long car journeys? Well, Hidden Object games are almost like a pimped up version you can play online. Often featuring great themes and some interesting sub plots and riddles to solve, hidden object games are increasing in popularity, sharpening your mind as well as providing entertainment.
Casual Graphic Games
Be it match up games, simple tile pattern games or puzzles, casual games are one of the fastest growing sections of online gaming world, responsible for getting people of all ages. Think of Bejewelled Blitz and you get the idea – simple, easy to play, hard to complete and therefore guaranteed to keep you coming back for more. To play, all you need is your web browser and a few plug ins (ideally Java and Flash) that will show the graphics. Often you can play these for free – although they will come with advertising. Paying to download will result in better graphics as well as rid you of those ads.
Gaming and Gambling
An interesting area of growth is amongst poker sites, casinos and online bingo style games, particularly with women. Instant wins, slot style games – there’s a fine line between gaming and gambling, and it’s a line that is often blurred as well. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but often these sites come with the same social features you’d expect from other gaming communities.
Paying to play?
There are plenty of free online games out there and there is no reason you have to pay. Sometimes you may have to stump up cash for subscription games, sometimes you won’t. But don’t feel pressured to pay – there are stlll plenty of free resources, including social network based versions of the game.
Don’t forget though that you will be compromising a little on your experience – be it through advertising during your games, or potentially swapping your email address for gameplay. In this case, try setting up a separate web account, so you can keep on top of any spam that may come your way.
Security Issues
Make sure you stay safe online. Be sure to check the security of sites – particularly if they are asking for payment details or personal details. And be sure to stay on top of your spam – avoid signing up to too many extra offers and your inbox will thank you later.
Where should I look for games?
Normally, it’s a great idea to start out with the big name games. You’ll find plenty of gaming portals that will review the best timewasting treats in all shapes and sizes, or try hitting up web forums for the inside scoop. You won’t have too much trouble finding a game – it’s more about whether you want to play it!
A few top tips when playing
- If there’s chat involved, remember to keep it nice. Online communities can sometimes bring out the worst in certain people – rise above it, and you’ll enjoy the experience a lot more.
- Teamwork is always important if you are working with others online. Stick it out when things get a little tough and you’ll find yourself
- To cheat or not to cheat?! Well, if you need to win that badly, you’ll find plenty of online gaming cheat websites to help you get ahead. But a cheated win will never feel as good as the real thing.
