Whoever thought that there would come a day when we would differentiate video games as being casual and serious? I have always loved video games and only lately have I realized these categories. So what is casual gaming? According to Wikipedia, a casual game is:
Any computer game targeted at a mass audience of casual gamers. Casual games can have any type of gameplay, and fit in any genre. They are typically distinguished by their simple rules, in contrast to more complex hardcore games. They require no long-term time commitment or special skills to play, and there are comparatively low production and distribution costs for the producer. Casual games typically are played on a personal computer online in web browsers, although they now are starting to become popular on game consoles, too. Casual gaming demographics also vary greatly from those of traditional computer games, as the typical casual gamer is older and more predominantly female.
(Let’s talk more about that last sentence sometime in the future.) Anyway, so casual games are those games you’d find online like on Yahoo Games, Bigfishgames, Gamefools, and other similar sites. They’re pretty easy to play – you can finish a game in a day if you play a lot. They are fun and relatively cheap, especially compared to console games.
I, for one, am a big fan of casual games. They are a great way to kill time. Hardcore gamers out there, don’t be so quick to down them. Trust me, if you find yourself having fun at at least one casual game, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
Tags: Casual Games
Half-life, Doom, Wolfenstein and Tomb Raider have all made various impacts on the gamer today that they have become the benchmark with regards to new games that have been developed today. Ironically, they have been sought after by most people since the various wars by different nations have all the more enticed people to take on doing target practice in different levels and stages of game play.
Each providing a 3-D type of game setting, people use reflex as well as tactical maneuvers to see how they would go on defensive and offensive strategies with regards to taking on different enemies that the game caters to. As with other games, the objective is to be able to get to the next level with an allocation of lives, usually 3 to 5, depending on the programming and methodology. For what its worth, the expertise of people with regards to the game can be tested through seeing how he or she can be able to take on all comers by avoiding injuries or worse, being killed by stray bullets or grenades.
[tags]wolfenstein, doom, half-life, war games[/tags]
Tags: doom, half-life, war-games, wolfenstein
Off the top of my head, I probably would say no. As defined by Merriam-Webster, a sport is “physical activity engaged in for pleasure.” Take note of the qualification “physical activity.” Yet with today’s video games becoming more and more of a physical nature – thanks to the Wii, I think – I could be wrong. Add to this the fact that more video game developers are focusing on games that are based on real life sports. You have NBA, Madden, and so on.
Thanks to Ben of Gathering of Gamers, I also discovered that ESPN now has a whole section devoted to video games in its web site! We all know that when it comes to sports, ESPN is the undoubted king. With this development – ESPN seeming to recognize that video gaming could be considered a sport – it seems that things just might change somehow!
I can still recall the times when people generally considered video games and sports two whole different things. I have heard it said many times before – hunks play sports and geeks play video games. I think it is rather an obsolete comment, don’t you think? I just saw this feature on TV about sports stars and movie stars who are into gaming. They are definitely hunks, I would say. Anyhow, so what is wrong with being a geek?
I am deviating from the topic here, but anyway, so can we say conclusively that video gaming is now a sport? Maybe not. Until professional video gamers get big fat paychecks like those at the NBA and NFL do, I wouldn’t go that far (just kidding!).
Tags: General, Psychology, sports
The type of game a player would want to follow can be foretold in his initial affiliation with online games. Much of todays successful online games such as Runescape, offers a balance for both crafts and combat. Unlike the standard objectives of a medieval or futuristic game setup, it is not purely about armed combat, utilizing high-powered artillery and casting spells.
Today, it is also about being wise and finding ways to survive. RPG caters towards virtual reality worlds, something that speaks well about the overall concept of a game. Adhering towards both sides similar to that of actual life is not easy to understand. While this is not to connote that RPG are truly good, it indirectly provides a good understanding on how to approach personal endeavors of survival in a different manner.
The success of such online games would depend a lot on how well they can be towards players. Just consider how long they have been in existence. Runescape and Ultima Online, among others are still up and about. Just check out the overall game play and you will find out the secret to their success.
[tags]rpg, online games, runescape, ultima online, strategy games[/tags]
Tags: online-games, RPG, runescape, strategy-games, ultima-online
