Games Abound
By: Sandy Berger Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2003-10-08 10:56:00-04:00
Games Are Not Just for Kids
By Sandy Berger
Do you relax by playing games? Or use gaming as a way to pass the time? You are not alone. According to Nielsen NetRatings during April 2002, online gaming sites attracted more than 28 million US visitors. Nielsen found MSN Gaming Zone the number one draw, with Yahoo Games coming in a close second. Other popular sites include Pogo and Happy Puppy.
Games Abound
The variety of games on the Internet is almost overwhelming. While the younger generation may be going wild over the "shoot-em-up" games, the older crowd is finding a wealth of games that suit their tastes. There are card games, board games, dice games, and puzzle games, to name just a few. AARP's Games and Puzzles, for example, features crosswords, jigsaws and jumbles.
You can play these games alone, with family and friends, or with online partners and opponents. Interactive online gaming has quickly and quietly become one of the most popular entertainment categories in the US. At any given time there are hundreds of thousands of gamers playing online. So, if you happen to be awake at 3 AM, you will not lack company in the computer game room.
Payment Scenarios
There are several different payment scenarios for gaming on the Internet. Many games are free, some charge to download the game, and some are offshoots of a retail game where you purchase a boxed game and play that game either alone, with your own friends, or online with others who also own the game. Watch out, a few of these game sites charge just for the privilege of playing and that can be expensive. MSN Zone has a popular game called Fighter Ace where the download is free, but you must pay $1.95 a day or $9.95 a month to play with online opponents.
While online gaming against opponents is very popular, one of my favorite game sites is a site where you play alone or against the computer. At Game House you can play any games for free. You don't have to register at this site. You just surf over and start playing. You must be online to play, but you don't play an opponent. If you find a game you really like, you can pay a fee (most games are $19.95 or four for $49.95) to download a super version game to your hard drive. The super version has additional features, better graphics, and improved sound, and gives you the ability to be able to play the game while offline.
Game House's Collapse game won the RealNetworks 2001 Game of the Year award. In Collapse you out take colorful building blocks in three's before they get to the top of the screen. Be careful! The game is highly addictive. In only ten months more than 100,000 people have downloaded Collapse.
Games House has a large variety of games and most are excellent. For instance there is a grid-type game called Candy Cruncher, an extremely habit-forming game called Addiction Solitaire, and an intriguing word game called TextTwist. Mac users will be happy to find many of the games available for them. There are even several games available for playing on a Palm personal digital assistant.
Connection Speeds
When playing games over the Internet, especially online games, connection speed can be important. While playing over a regular dial-up connection is fun for some games, communication delays and pauses may cause frustration. Playing over a broadband connection, like DSL or cable, is definitely preferable. If you have a slow Internet connection and don't like to tie up your telephone line, don't despair; downloadable games like those found at Game House may be perfect for you.
Instructions
If you don't know how to play a game, most gaming sites offer instructions. You can even find instructions and tips for card and board games you might enjoy playing the non-electronically (you know, the old-fashioned) way! Some sites will let you watch a game in progress until you get the hang of it. Many offer chat rooms where you can post questions and some even have volunteer instructors. The quality and depth of the instruction varies from site to site. However, if you are determined to learn to play a certain game, you will probably find adequate guidance. For instance, I like the game of Hearts, but have never been able to Shoot the Moon. I looked through Internet game sites and got quite a few tips. Next time my husband and I play with our son and daughter-in-law, I might be able to surprise them all!
If you haven't yet investigated gaming on the Internet, give it a try. I guarantee that before long, you will be sending me the names of your favorite games and gaming Web sites.
AARP does not recommend or endorse any of these products or web sites. Please be advised that there are other similar products and web sites available which were not reviewed and are not listed here.
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