Having Fun With Online Games
Is playing games online really that popular? Aren't teen-agers the ones playing most of games online?
AOL Adviser Regina Lewis, author of Wired in a Week, reporting for The Saturday Early Show, says playing games online has become such a phenomenon that the number of people playing is expected to triple in the next three years.
 CBS |
| Buy "Wired in a Week 7.0" |
When you say to someone, "Are you an online gamer?," they usually say "no." When you ask, "Ever play Solitaire online?," they often say, "sure, love it." That's online gaming.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when playing games online:
- GO SOLO OR BE SOCIAL. You can play by yourself or you can play against other online gamers. You can even "chat" with people while you play. In the middle of the night, Lewis says, she sometimes play card games with a group of women from Scotland. Half the screen is the game, the other half is their chat or instant message conversation.
Some online games even allow you to invite someone to a head-to-head competition. Imagine being able to challenge your son or daughter, who are away at college, to a game of chess -- or you can take on your brother or sister in a game of backgammon. Even if you are in two different parts of the world, you can play against each other, anytime -- day or night.
- JACKPOTS. Usual range is anywhere from $200 to $2,000 on free game sites. Winnings increase with each person playing or every 10 seconds, depending on the game. Players under 18 can't win cash prizes, but they can win things like points toward gift certificates to Tower Records.
- HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS. We're talking about free games that require no special equipment. Having said that, the single biggest way to enhance your online gaming experience (especially if you like action games) is getting high-speed Internet access through your ISP, local cable TV provider or local phone company.
- START WITH AN OLD FAVORITE. The best way to learn about playing online games is not to read about playing them. It's to play them. Start with an old favorite you're already familiar with and you'll be halfway there, because you know the rules, and you'll know what it takes to win. From there, a good online game should be easy, fun and intuitive.
Nickelodeon Online - Games at Nick.com