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