There are:
Games played using e-mail.
Games played on a browser window by using a web address.
Games played using Internet Relay Chat, Telenet, MUD client, or a Web based forum.
Games that are graphic need stand-alone software that permits players to play with or against one another using an Internet connection.
The first game, MUD, was developed in 1978, and the market has burgeoned since then.
To play, one needs:
A reliable Internet connection.
A personal computer or game console.
Selected software required by specific games.
One can play simple board games like scrabble, or bingo, or games like poker, mahjong, and pool. Another popular category is simulation games-these imitate real-life situations and cover aspects like combat, city planning, strategies, as well as flight simulation.
For serious gaming the computer performance must be optimized. This can be done by:
Running the disk defragmenter and organizing the computer files. This should ideally be done once a month at least.
Correct folder and file errors by using scandisk---use once a week and the computer will give trouble free performance.
Clean your hard drives-get rid of Internet files, temporary files, as well as files in the trash/recycle bin. Clear the cache and uninstall programs that are not in everyday use.
Update the operating system software. Download any new security patches. Keep video drivers updated.
Clear space on the hard drive---store files on a back up system.
Clear any spyware you have inherited from websites.
Minimize number of programs running-when playing a graphic intensive game if there are too many programs running simultaneously the graphics will become choppy and game will be slow.
Delete add on game files-wall papers and other paraphernalia will just clutter the computer.
Run an anti-virus program regularly but disable it when you are loading/playing games. Antivirus programs slow down games.
Always shut down the computer properly.
The Internet allows gamers to compete with people across oceans, on the other side of the world and anywhere in the universe. Some use PCs while others use consoles. What you use is a personal choice and depends on issues like costs and so on.
Before you buy a game you must:
Consider "system requirements" - some games can run on systems that are not exact others need specific hardware.
Find out if the game is single player or multi-player. Many games need the Internet-and, the broadband connection is more efficient than the dial-up connection. Many like Xbox Live only work on a broadband connection.
Find out if the game can be played using a mouse/keyboard or whether it will need a full-featured joy stick.
Be wise and try a demo before making an actual purchase. Playing a demo benefits the player as well as game developer. Many online games offer free trial periods - beta testing is a great opportunity to find out if the game suits your taste as well as pockets.
Do your research thoroughly-usually there are several games competing for players within a genre. Read game reviews before taking the final step.
Flash - New Opportunities for Game Designers
Flash is an interactive platform that has a powerful design and animation tool along with a dynamic scripting engine, bitmap rendering, as well as advanced video and audio playback. There are three main aspects: the player, the file format, and the authoring tool/IDE. Flash games can be developed for websites, interactive TV, as well as handheld devices. There is no need to adopt multiple programming languages to build games.
It is the universal tool that permits the development of multimedia driven complex games. Games means fast, furious, efficient with rich graphics.
Flash enables developers to build the most popular games for online gamers. It just needs to support:
Rich engaging graphics.
Smooth download of files from the net.
A playback device that can interpret downloads.
There are three main areas: design, development, and hosting.
The first step is creation of graphics. One must use Fireworks as well as Freehand for this aspect. The tools are compatible and fireworks allows the addition of Java script to images.
The game development will be done in Flash by importing graphics created in Freehand and Fireworks. The graphics are then placed in Director the parent tool of Flash.
The next part, hosting, uses a Web server. Dreamweaver MX is the tool that will create Web pages to host the game.
And, finally Action Script is used to provide enhanced functionality.
Advantages:
Integrates almost all features needed for developing a game. It is a great interactive tool.
Can be used anywhere does not need additional software or plug-ins.
It is Mac friendly.
Permits conversion from a full game to web version and vice versa.
Low cost and free to distribute. Licenses for decoders MP3 and Sorensen Spark are included.
Artists that can use flash easily are in plenty.
Flash delivers broadcast quality images over the Internet.
Permits embedding of game in power point for use in presentations.
Plenty of information as well as guidelines can be accessed as well as understood by all -tutorials, articles, as well as blogs.
The size of the game file remains small as the vector graphics and sound files are compressed.
Learning Flash language is easy.
Permits copy-paste to test components
There are traps one must be wary of and a few cons. Know the system well to maximize its use. There are plenty of tutorials inline that can be used as guides. Flash interface is ideally suited to both designer as well as developer, you can have fun while creating the game.
Flash is simple to use and a game can be developed in a few hours in a packaged form that can run on a PC, Mac, or Linux. One can make use of a browser or run the game as a stand alone.
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