Online games are computer-based video games played over the Internet and may range from browser-based games to downloaded video game titles and online multiplayer gaming experiences.
Studies have demonstrated that online gaming can foster emotional communication and social friendships among college students. Results may differ according to cultural context.
Multiplayer
Online multiplayer games allow gamers to compete or collaborate with gamers worldwide in free, global competition. Connecting to a server requires only an Internet connection; players can then program multiplayer games using various coding languages.
Multiplayer video games were once limited to a single system (such as two people sharing an arcade cabinet or using the same set of console controllers), but recent advances in gaming technology have made it possible for multiple systems connected over local area networks or the Internet to join forces and play simultaneously – some massively multiplayer titles allow hundreds of players to participate at once!
Other than competition, online multiplayer games provide children with a valuable way to develop social skills and explore other cultures while being strategic and analytical when assessing risk and reward. They may even serve as a safe space for those struggling to fit in at school or are experiencing identity changes.
Single-player
Many gamers prefer single-player games because they provide a more intimate gaming experience. You can take your time exploring the world, completing sidequests and immersing yourself in the story – these titles tend to be less repetitive and competitive than multiplayer titles.
Single-player online games can be enjoyed on either desktop computers or mobile devices with an internet connection, and require either action, adventure, puzzle and racing games, or elaborate plots that rely on player skills or quick reactions to be enjoyed successfully.
Many of these games can be found for free online through Steam store and are easy to install – they make for great time-killers or Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals! There are even idle games you can work on alone like Babel Tower or Road Crash that provide hours of entertainment!
Browser-based
Browser games provide online gaming experiences through browsers rather than traditional video game consoles or software installed on computers, offering instantaneous access to simple puzzles or complex multiplayer worlds without the need for physical devices or installations. These online experiences range from puzzle-solving experiences to elaborate multiplayer environments and can range in complexity from basic to complex multiplayer gameplay – providing instant gratification without waiting.
At their best, browser games should be both fun and challenging, offering just the right mix of complexity and depth. Nathalie Lawhead’s deranged narrative game Alter Ego stands out for its vivid visuals and its reflection on digital memory loss; Colin Lane’s arcade game Ramps lets players strap themselves into chunky karts for thrilling races down winding tracks.
Explore Mars and save humanity in Gamefabrik and Bytro Labs’ free-to-play browser simulator game Mars Tomorrow, while taking on monsters to build your empire in Goodgame Studios’ popular free-to-play MMORPG Dragon Awaken – two engaging browser games which enable players to customize their character, take part in complex quests, battle other players on an engaging world map and develop empires! Both titles provide rich, immersive experiences allowing users to customize their character, participate in dynamic quests and navigate complex world maps.
Downloadable
The top downloadable online games span across genres and devices, from arcade and action titles to strategy and survival titles. Some can even be played via social networks; some are even free while others require subscription fees.
When searching for an online game to play on your PC, make sure that its system requirements have been fulfilled first and that no sleep or hibernate settings exist during its download process to speed things along more quickly. This will ensure a faster download.
Origin, offering EA-published games such as The Sims and Battlefield for free download, is another renowned gaming download platform. Indie City also provides indie titles like Bastion (2011) and 2012’s From Dust for world creation games alike.
