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