Online games: What are they?
Online games are digital games that require an active connection to a network. These are games played on the internet, but also online through consoles, mobile devices or P2P networks. The definition of online games excludes games that do not require an active connection to a network and only use the web to communicate scores, data or other information.
In general, online gaming is considered a technology rather than a genre. It is a concept linking players rather than a particular game concept. Online games are playable through various kinds of computer networks such as the internet. An undeniable strength of this type of game is the ability to allow gamers to connect to multiplayer games. The other strong point of online games is that most of these games do not require payments.
Characteristics and development of online games
The development of online games corresponds to the expansion of computer networks and the web. This genre includes a wide range of games, from simple writing games to huge games where thousands of gamers are playing at the same time. These types of online games are called multiplayer games. Many online games are real virtual communities, turning single-player games into real social activities.
The expansion of Flash and Java technologies revolutionised the use of the web by allowing many activities to be carried out by Internet users, such as streaming or access to videos. Later, platforms were able to offer gamers access to networked games, both free-to-play and paid.
Some online games, such as World of Warcraft or Lineage II, are accessible via a monthly subscription fee. Other titles such as Guild Wars are free. In terms of remuneration, some sites are remunerated through online sponsors, while others prefer to opt for a policy where gamers play for free while adding paid content for subscribers. The appearance of Xbox Live (signed by Microsoft) has greatly contributed to the deployment of online modules by console game providers.
Thus, with online games, gamers can compete against each other, but also communicate through a headset. Subsequently, all subsequent consoles have allowed gamers to play together using a simple WiFi connection. Finally, the latest generation of consoles such as the PS3 offers a multitude of complete online gaming possibilities via the web.
See also >> Glossary