The Internet is not just a part of our working lives
anymore - it’s increasingly used when we want to relax
and play. From simple games like scrabble and chess to
3D fast action games with amazing graphics, practically
everything is on offer on the Net. NINA looks at online
games and finds popular and free ones to suit almost
every taste
While the image of family or friends sitting
around an old-fashioned board game, chatting
and playing together may be the nostalgic
ideal for some of us, the reality of long work
hours, living alone and spending most of our
waking hours in front of the computer makes
this virtually impossible. So why not turn to
the virtual world for comfort and fun when
you’re in the mood to play? And, thanks to the
number of multiplayer online games available
now, you don’t necessarily have to play alone
even if you are alone.
Online games today range from simple text
based games to ones with complex graphics
and virtual worlds that have many players
simultaneously. Many online games also
have communities and forums to allow social
networking that goes beyond playing. Most
sophisticated online games charge a monthly
fee but some rely on advertising and let you
play for free, with the option of paying to add
new content. Here
is a look at some
games on offer.
To stop you from
spending not just
your time but also
your money on
them, we have only
listed those that
are free.
WORD PERFECT
For those who want to start simple, Facebook’s Scrabulous,
an online version of the classic Scrabble is probably a good
place to begin. Scrabulous was created two years ago by
Rajat and Jayant Agarwalla, two Indian brothers who felt
it would be great to offer “the world’s favorite word game
for free”. However, there is now litigation from Hasbro and
Mattel regarding ownership rights, so it is unclear how much
longer the game will remain free or even online.
A SECOND CHANCE
Second Life, (http://secondlife.com) is a role-playing game
where you reinvent who you are, how you look and what you
do. You can interact with other players, and create, sell and
buy goods and property. Basic play is free, with the option to
convert real world currencies to virtual money if you find you
can’t kick that shopping habit even in your second life! SL
has added real value to the virtual world with university and
language courses and library resources offered here.
GOAL!
If you’re a couch potato with a passion for soccer, Hattrick
(http://www.hattrick.org/) is the game for you. Here, you
manage your own football team and play against users
from across the world. Matches are played in real time
every week, but you can go online on at any time to trade
players and exchange notes with other users.
STING LIKE A
BEE!
The Internet, especially
now with broadband
available to all of us,
is wonderfully suited
for fast-paced action
games. First person
shooter (FPS) games,
always a huge hit, have
improved considerably.
Combat Arms, (http://
combatarms.nexon.
net) a 3D FPS game,
where you can create a
character with custom
tailored body kits and
artillery and participate in
multiplayer matches, has
the additional benefit of
being free.
DUNGEONS
AND
DRAGONS
If you like the thought
of entering a fantasy
land full of monsters,
dragons and challenging
tasks, the old classic
RuneScape, (www.
runescape.com) is a
good bet. While it may
not be as sophisticated
and good to look at as
newer applications, like
World of Warcraft, it
scores precisely because
of its simplicity and
accessibility. A much
better option than
actually working at your
desk!
FLYING HIGH
Flight simulation games have always been popular, but
good games are hard to find for free.
Allegiance,
(http://
www.freeallegiance.org/) a 3D space shooter game with
an RTS style 3D interface is a good option. You can pilot
spacecraft while flying in a team with other players to
defend and attack sectors in space.
Experienced players can
take command in leading their teams on missions.
