How to Play Games Online

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Categories: Video Games | Online Gaming | How Tos

  • Your choices as an online gamer are endless: action, adventure, puzzle, sports, word, massively multiplayer online role-playing Games (MMORPGs). This page will not focus on MMORPGs, but rather the more casual games that the majority of online gamers play. Whether you want to start a new online chess habit or just want to kill a few minutes here and there with a game of Scrabble, this page will walk you through how to play games online.

  • Introduction

    • Welcome to the world of online gaming! You're about to join the millions of gamers who enjoy hours of fun on the web every day. The Internet is an exciting space to play your favorite games, discover new ones, and make friends while doing it. This page will guide you through the process of choosing the right game for you and getting set up and ready to play.

  • Types of Games

    • There are countless online games to choose from. Learning what's out there can save you time and help you find a game you really want to play.
    1. Action & Arcade Games:
    2. Board & Card Games:
    3. Puzzle Games:
      • A one-person game where you play against yourself or the computer.
      • Examples: Jigsaws, Memory or Mix & Match, Photo manipulation, "Where's Waldo?"
      • In "Mystery Case Files: Madame Fate," published by Big Fish Games, you're hired to save a fortune teller who has forseen her own demise. Named "Hidden Object Game of 2007," it's an interesting twist on the classic puzzle genre.
    4. Word Games:
    5. MMORPGs:
      • "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games."
      • Example: World of Warcraft.
      • These games are extremely popular these days, but are a topic unto themselves. This page will focus on the first four types mentioned.

  • Types of Gamers

    • When choosing a game, think about what kind of person you are. If you enjoy betting games like Poker and Blackjack, then online casino games may be right for you, where you can try your hand at classic games of chance without going to Vegas. Do you enjoy board games like Scrabble and chess, which have large online followings? Some sites cater to just these players. To see where you fit in, check out the sample player profiles below.
    1. Eve: Ultra-Casual Gamer
    2. Susan: Casual Gamer
      • At 37, a typical gamer parent.
      • Plays computer and video games, as do a third of her peers.
      • Enjoys Puzzle and Arcade games.
      • Wants a family-friendly site where she and her two daughters can play.
      • Ideas: Uproar.com, Pogo.com, AOL Games, Yahoo! Games and MSN Games. These well-designed sites have friendly atmospheres and large game catalogs.
    3. John: Moderate Gamer
    4. Tom: Heavy Gamer

  • Picking a Gaming Portal

  • Social Networking Sites

    • Social networks offer a nice way to catch up with your friends while you play games.
    1. Facebook - The popular social networking site Facebook has a nifty application where you can challenge your friends and family to a quick game of chess or Scrabulous.
      • Facebook is free to join. It allows you to share news, post pictures, join groups and causes—and, of course, have fun in your spare time. There are few ads on this membership site.
      1. Go to Facebook.com.
      2. Enter your Name, Email, Password, and Birthday.
      3. Click Sign Up.
      4. Start searching through applications for fun games!
    2. MySpace - There are dozens of games to choose from on this site with over 100 million users: Multiplayer, Action, Arcade, Puzzle, Word, Cards & Strategy. To play multiplayer games, you must open a free account. Once you join, you can start a personal blog, listen to and download music, watch films and join groups.
      1. Go to MySpace.com.
      2. Click Sign Up.
      3. Enter Name, Email address and Password.
      4. Click Sign Up.
      5. Verify Account by typing security code.
      6. Continue to My Account.
      7. Upload photo.
      8. Invite Your Friends.
      9. Start playing at games.myspace.com.
      1. At MySpace Games, click Play.
      2. Left click yellow bar at top of browser to install ActiveX Control, choose Install ActiveX, and continue.
      3. When "Do you want to install this software?" appears, click Yes.
      4. Install Oberon Game Software.
    3. Friendster - This networking site has 60 million members. Friendster is popular in southeast Asia and is winning people over worldwide. Once you join, you can start a blog, add photos, join groups, and invite your friends to play Texas Hold 'Em Poker.
      1. Go to Friendster.
      2. Click Sign Up.
      3. Create your Account.
        1. Enter your Name, Email address, and Password.
        2. Verify registration code.
        3. Click Register.
      4. See Who's On: find friends using your address book.
      5. Upload a photo and caption.
      6. Click Get Started.
      • To play a game:
      1. Under Explore, select Applications.
      2. Click Games.
      3. Add to Profile.
      4. Under Terms of Service, click Add App.

  • Web Providers

    1. AOL games - America Online's gaming site hosts over 250,000 gamers at any time. You'll find a well-organized site with Puzzle, Word, Card & Board, Casino, Arcade and Sports categories, cash competitions, and a section for full-fledged video games. Play a game online or download its full version for more levels and better graphics.
      1. Go to AOL games.
      2. Click Sign In.
      3. Sign in using your AOL Screen Name, if you have one, or create an account:
        1. Select Create Free Screen Name.
        2. Choose a Screen Name, Password and Security Question.
        3. Type the Security Key.
        4. Click Submit.
    2. MSN Games - A gamer's paradise with over 123 free online games: Puzzle, Word & Trivia, Card & Board, Action & Arcade, Poker & Casino, and Pop Culture. One unique feature is the ability to earn badges—"a collectable digital award"—showing your proficiency in a game.
      1. Go to MSN Games.
      2. Click Sign In.
      3. Click Register Now.
      4. Select Yes, use my e-mail address or No, sign me up for a free MSN Hotmail e-mail address, then Continue.
      5. If using a current email address:
        1. Enter email address and password.
        2. Choose password reset option.
        3. Type characters in security picture.
        4. Select Continue.
        • Create an MSN account:
        1. Enter personal information.
        2. Enter home location.
        3. Select Continue.
        4. Review and accept the agreements.
        5. Choose I Accept.
        6. Press Continue.
      6. Or, for a free MSN Hotmail email address:
        1. Create email address.
        2. Create password.
        3. Choose password reset option.
        4. Enter account information.
        5. Type the characters in security picture.
        6. Review and accept the agreements.
      7. To start playing, confirm your account, sign in, and create a nickname.
    3. Yahoo! Games - It's easy to register a user name and start playing your favorite games on this site. You'll find Arcade, Card, Board, Puzzle and Word games as well as multiplayer games, Web downloads and the latest movie previews.
      1. Go to Yahoo! Games.
      2. Select Sign Up for a Yahoo! ID.
      3. Enter your name, create an ID and password, and select a security question.
      4. Type the passcode, and check Agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
      5. Click Create My Account.

  • Gaming Hubs

    1. Big Fish Games - A great site for online and downloadable games, featuring "A new game every day." Choose from Action & Arcade, Puzzle, Card & Board, and Word games. Join and play online or download trial Web games (playable for 30-60 minutes before purchase is necessary). Members can play all online games free, chat and earn tokens, create a personalized Game Space, and write reviews.
      1. Go to Big Fish Games.
      2. Click Game Community.
      3. Click Sign Up, Free!
      4. Choose Create Account.
      5. Enter email and password.
      6. Click Create Account.
        • Here's a simple game to get started. The object of "Burger Shop" is to serve your customers as best and as fast as you can.
        1. Click Online Games.
        2. Choose Burger Shop.
        3. Pick a sponsor and play (or press No, Thanks).
        4. Click Career & Start.
    2. Pogo - With over 250,000 players online, the chance to win daily cash prizes, and over 80 free games, including "freebie" Casino, Puzzle, Word, Card, Board and Arcade & Sports offerings, Pogo.com is the place to get your gaming fix. The site is 100% free and features game nights, socials, polls and a player spotlight.
      1. Go to Pogo.
      2. Click Sign Up Now.
      3. Create Your Free Account - enter your name, password and the security tag.
      4. Click Accept to the Terms & Conditions.
      5. Start playing.
    3. Shockwave - "Where you're free to play." Shockwave has an assortment of games: Action & Arcade, Adventure, Kids, Sports, Strategy, Word, and a unique category where Music & Photos are key to the game. The site offers helpful reviews and Play/Download Now options. Members receive a unique profile, can save their favorite games, share games with friends, submit high scores and write reviews.
      1. Go to Shockwave.
      2. Click Register.
      3. Create your account.
      4. Click Sign Up Today!
      5. Create your Look and Edit Profile.
    4. Your Fun Games - This is a great site with literally hundreds of Web games to choose from and few pop-up ads. The best part: No download or sign-up is required. Each game, such as Rocket Man, appears in your Web browser, in a small applet window.

  • Playing Bejeweled 2, Scrabble or Chess

    • Now that you know where to play, here are three popular online games to help get you started!

  • Bejeweled 2

    • This may be the most addictive online game ever created. It's easy to learn, tremendously fun, and the gameplay is fast yet forgiving. The goal is to arrange colored gems into rows of three as you unlock combos and set off chain-reactions.
    1. Go to PopCap Games and click Play Online.
    2. On the next page, download the PopCap Games Plugin Installer.
    3. Double-click the icon that appears on your desktop.
    4. At Welcome! Would you like to install the PopCap Games Browser Plug-in? click Install.
    5. Once Bejeweled 2 is installed, return to the PopCap Games Web site and start playing.
    • The full version has beautiful sci-fi backdrops, an awesome soundtrack and hidden levels. To download it:
    1. Above the player window online, select Download the full version for FREE!
    2. Once downloaded, double-click the Installer icon (Bejeweled2Setup.exe) on your desktop.
    3. In the Bejeweled 2 Deluxe 1.1 Installer window, click Next.
    4. In the License Agreement window, click I Agree.
    5. View the Readme File or select Done to start playing.
    • Additional Bejeweled 2 sites:
    1. MSN Games: Bejeweled 2
    2. Yahoo! Games: Bejeweled 2

  • Scrabble

    • The Internet Scrabble Club has a clean design and easy-to-use interface. The rules are the same as regular Scrabble. You start with seven tiles and must form higher-scoring words than your opponent. Extra points are awarded for using the colored squares, with double- and triple-letter/word bonuses possible.
    1. Go to the Internet Scrabble Club.
    2. Register a Name and choose a Password.
    3. Click Install on the homepage.
    4. On the next page, download WordBiz 1.8 for Windows and double-click the icon once it appears on your desktop. This is the Scrabble console for the Internet Scrabble Club server.
    5. Read the Intro.
    6. To start a game, click Seek a Game or select the command from the menu bar. To chat, click in the chat bar and type "Tell (insert player's name) hello."
    1. From your Facebook page, click Application and go to gaming, or click here.
    2. In Gaming, click Scrabulous.
    3. Add Application.
    4. Add Scrabulous (choose options).
    5. Jambo! (A Swahili greeting.) Each time you play Scrabulous, you are greeted in a different language.
    6. Click on Click Here to start a new game.
      1. Who do you wish to play with? (No friends on Facebook yet? Simply join a table.)
      2. Select dictionary.
      3. Select game type.
      4. Click to start game.
      5. Play the first move.
      • You will be notified through your Facebook page or by email when it's your turn.
    • Additional Scrabble sites:
    1. Games.com: Scrabble Blast
    2. Scrabulous.com: Scrabulous
    3. The Pixie Pit: Scrabble

  • Chess

    1. Once you have a Yahoo! ID, click here.
    2. Select Chess and Go Now.
    3. Enter your Yahoo! ID and password and click Sign In.
    4. Click where it says Click Here to Continue to go past advertisement.
    5. Choose Play Now.
    6. Start playing!
    • The Yahoo! Chess console is easy to navigate. For a quick game, choose Quickplay or enter a room and Join a table. For chess rules and strategy, read Mahalo's guide to How to Play Chess.
    • Additional chess sites:
    1. Chess.com
    2. FreeChess.org
    3. InstantChess.com
    4. PlayChess.com

  • Exploring New Games

    • Once you've blasted your way through Bejeweled 2, worn out your Scrabble dictionary, and mastered chess, check out these popular sites for more fun games.
    1. Coffeebreakarcade - A compilation of popular games from the major portals. Good game instructions and descriptions; few ads.
    2. Wrigley's Candystand - Wrigley's advergaming Web site, where most games are candy and gum-related (Lifesavers, Stride, Doublemint). Great animation.
    3. MiniClip - Hundreds of free games, including 3D, Learning and Platformers.
    4. PopCap - One of the well-known gamer portals. Publisher of such popular games as Bejeweled and Bookworm.
    5. RealArcade - Over 550 online and downloadable games: Puzzle, Word, Mah Jongg, Cash, Arcade, Sports and Casino.
    6. Runescape - A free, massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) playable through your Web browser in a Java applet window.
    7. Uproar Network - Well-organized site with game and portal reviews. Helpful breakdown by game category, compatibility, challenge type and difficulty level.

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