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