| By R.L. Fielding | | | | inexpensive compared to visiting a local |
| | | | coin-operated arcade or buying a vintage |
| The popularity of arcade games is booming. | | | | arcade game that would take up space in your |
| Despite a decline in numbers since their | | | | home. |
| glory days in the 1980s, new arcade | | | | |
| facilities are springing up in shopping malls | | | | And although you may not have guessed it, men |
| and restaurants around the country. This | | | | aren't the only ones who spend a large amount |
| resurgence is sparked in part by nostalgia | | | | of time playing games online. In fact, the |
| for classic arcades games such as Pac Man and | | | | Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) |
| Space Invaders, but also by the advent of | | | | reported that adult women are almost twice as |
| online games such Mahjong and Slingo | | | | likely as men to spend 20 hours per week |
| Millennium. | | | | playing PC games. |
| | | | |
| Kids and adults alike are now able to enjoy | | | | The most popular online games among women |
| arcade-style games by visiting coin-operated | | | | tend to be those which are quick and easy to |
| video arcades or while using a computer in | | | | pick up. Games that don't require inordinate |
| the comfort of their home, school or office. | | | | amounts of time or intense focus are |
| Thanks to the Internet, anyone regardless of | | | | favorable among women, perhaps because of the |
| age, platform or location can practice, play | | | | increasing responsibilities today's women |
| and enjoy arcade-style games in their free | | | | juggle. Work, child rearing and other |
| time. | | | | household duties leave little time for |
| | | | extended leisure activities. Online |
| Why Arcade Games? | | | | arcade-style games provide a fun break from |
| | | | the daily routine that refreshes without |
| More than half of the 117-million active game | | | | taking too much time and energy. |
| players in the US play online games, reveals | | | | |
| Nielsen Entertainment's 2006 Active Gamer | | | | Fun for the Whole Family |
| Benchmark Study. These online game players | | | | |
| often favor arcade-style games because they | | | | Online games can be fun and a real bonding |
| are easily mastered yet increase in | | | | experience for the whole family. Children |
| difficulty as players move to new levels. | | | | have become increasingly Web-savvy, both |
| Short game levels also provide players with | | | | inside and outside the classroom. As a |
| the flexibility to play in quick bursts | | | | result, parents are looking to replace |
| throughout the day or to settle in for hours | | | | old-fashioned board games with kid-safe |
| of fun. Simple story lines and likeable | | | | online games. Not only can mom and dad rest |
| characters make the games family-friendly and | | | | assured that online arcade games won't |
| engaging for players of all ages. | | | | contain adult content, parents will be happy |
| | | | to know that there are numerous online games |
| Why Play Games Online? | | | | that can be used as educational tools. |
| | | | Alternating physical play with today's |
| Why not? With so many of today's business | | | | plethora of online games offers a healthy |
| transactions, like banking and shopping, | | | | balance and gives the brain the workout it |
| happening online, it only seems natural that | | | | needs. |
| when Web-surfers feel like taking a time-out, | | | | |
| they download their favorite card, bingo, | | | | Online games are also something the family |
| strategy or arcade-style games. | | | | can enjoy as a group. "Game Night" is still a |
| | | | great way to bring the family together-it's |
| While online, people can access and play the | | | | just that the medium has changed. By keeping |
| games they love right on their very own | | | | up with the times, parents can help ensure |
| computers, mobile phones or hand-held PDAs. | | | | that their children stay engaged, interested |
| Playing games online is not only fun and | | | | and, above all, have fun. |
| easy, it's also convenient and relatively | | | | |