| When we refer to online games we are normally | | | | used to develop these games. 5. Online skill |
| referring to video type games that we play on | | | | games: An online skill based game is a web |
| a computer via the internet. Some video games | | | | game played in tournament format or one to |
| are played over the internet using mobile | | | | one. Each player pays a cash entry fee to |
| phones and video consoles, but generally | | | | play with a cash or merchandise prize going |
| speaking online games means computer games | | | | to the winner or winners. The outcome of each |
| that need an internet connection to be | | | | competition is based on the player's ability |
| played. Simple text-based multiplayer games | | | | and performance not luck. How Do Online Game |
| were the first of these types of games as | | | | Companies Make Money All games today, are |
| internet connections were slow and expensive | | | | playable online. How do we make money? This |
| when these games were first introduced in the | | | | is the question that companies making the |
| 1980s. Gradually these games became popular | | | | online games have to ask themselves. The |
| in the 1990s, with today's online games | | | | majority of companies make single-player |
| featuring virtual communities, realistic | | | | games that are played at home and in this the |
| graphics and multiplayer games where people | | | | player has to beat the artificial |
| can even play one to one or in knock out | | | | intelligence of the enemy. Today these games |
| tournaments for cash prizes. We all know that | | | | normally include an online multiplayer |
| the internet is the fastest growing market | | | | version which can be played against or with |
| place in the history of the world but did you | | | | other Internet players. By selling their game |
| know that there is an online games sector | | | | DVD/CDs is how these companies earn their |
| that is growing 4 times faster than the | | | | profit e.g. Warcraft 3 and Counter Strike. |
| internet overall! Yes! and it's the "Online | | | | Advertising and promotions is how browser |
| Skill Games" market. | | | | game companies make their money. MMORPG |
| | | | companies generally charge their players a |
| There are many styles of Online Games Some of | | | | monthly fee and continue to add content by |
| the different types of online games that | | | | programming new scenarios etc in their games |
| exist: 1. Real time strategy games: This type | | | | e.g. Everquest 2 and World of Warcraft. Some |
| of game is all about strategy where, for your | | | | don't, but survive because their DVD/CD sales |
| army to fight successfully against the other | | | | are high e.g. Guild Wars. What is the future |
| internet players you need to develop a game | | | | of online games? Soon there will be a new |
| plan by building lots of resources 2. First | | | | entry into the online skill games market. |
| person shooter: Here the players compete with | | | | According to their Free Online Games Market |
| each other one to one. In most first-person | | | | Report they will be the first company with |
| type games, the online game allows the death | | | | their new online skill games platform, to |
| match or arena style of play. In this style | | | | launch a business that encapsulates three of |
| of game play the view you see is the one seen | | | | the newest phenomena on the internet today. |
| from your character's eyes. 3. Massively | | | | Online Games Entertainment, Social Networking |
| Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games | | | | using web 2.0 and a new way of marketing |
| (MMORPG): In this type of game each person | | | | which has been described as Social Marketing |
| has to keep trying to reach the next highest | | | | 2.0. One of the core differences with this |
| level until he has reached the top one | | | | new platform over the conventional models is |
| written for that game and these online games | | | | that we the players can if we want share in |
| can have, simultaneously, thousands of | | | | the profits while we play our games. With the |
| players from every part of the globe, playing | | | | market today (2007) worth approximately $5.2 |
| in a giant virtual world interacting against | | | | billion USD and predicted to rise in the next |
| or with each other. Gamers can keep playing | | | | 3 years to over $13 billion USD that's $412 |
| these types of games for months or even | | | | per second and with social networking sites |
| years! 4. Browser type games: These are | | | | already reaching 45% of web users and the 4 |
| pastime games that are quick, simple and | | | | major Instant Messengers having more than 400 |
| small that are played in your browser. The | | | | million users between them this potentially |
| popular Java and Shockwave technologies are | | | | could be a whole lot of money. |