Browser Games

For the past few months, I have been playing these addicting browser games (mostly by Gameforge). Sometimes, I play the mayor of an ancient Greek town. Sometimes, I become a Roman gladiator fighting in the arena. Sometimes, I am a werewolf fighting against vampires. And sometimes a knight in a shining armor. The newest role I am playing is a warlock. Currently, these are the different roles I play in different games.

What are Browser Games?

According to Wikipedia, these are Internet games played using your favorite browser (such as Internet Explorer and Firefox) which does not require the players any software to be installed (thus making it safer to play).

Advantages of Browser Games... (in my opinion)

1. PC Safety - Most browser games does not require any 3rd party software plug-ins in to your system. Though sometimes they require Java, Shockwave and Flash, these plug-ins are mostly available in modern and updated browsers. Thus, making our systems having less probabilities of malicious software.
2. Simplicity of System Software and Hardware Requirements - Most browser games does not require high level system requirements. Sounds are not even required.
   
3. Accessibility - Since most of these browser games does not require software and hardware installations, all you need is an Internet connection and a registered account (just like blogging) and you can play wherever and whenever you are. I even tried one time accessing one of these games via my mobile phone and it is good.
   
4. Highly Sociable - As opposed to the stigma of electronic games being the culprit of people having introvert and unhealthy no-exercise lifestyles, most browser games are massive multiplayer online games. These gives the player the option of having friends (or enemies) both in real life and the virtual world, instead of playing against the computer. Likewise, players can also invite friends (or even strangers) to join them in their fantasy world. There is also a very high possibility of playing with inter-cultural differences and alikeness.

But of course there are also disadvantages (as I see it)...

1. Possibility of spam e-mails - I trust all of the browser games I have joined but who knows if somebody from their side (or the whole of them) is affiliated to spam generating companies. The problem here is that players must have valid e-mail addresses before they can join the game.
2. Bugs - Bugs or glitches are common to these browser games because most of them are new while others operate their servers in "Beta" versions (which is a dry-run version). These bugs are often causes of those system maintenance moments where you won't have any choices but to blog instead.
3. Patience is Required - Patience is a virtue and is badly needed for these games. The more you went successful and stronger the longer time you needed to be patient. For example, at first (level 1) you only needed shorter time to wait and cheaper amount of resources to upgrade your ability or weapon or any other item you acquired. But there will come a point where you achieve this high level and you are also required to wait longer and bigger amount of resources before the upgrade took its effect.
4. Subscribers' Advantages - Most browser games are free. But to keep up the business going, browser game developers reinvent strategies how to sell their games in reasonable prices. Unlike most electronic games, browser games do not require installation CDs or electronic gadgets. Therefore, players are not required to buy anything. Instead, developers sell in-game unique items, boost or upgrades, better management consoles or views and etc. This gives subscribers instant advantage against non-subscriber players like me.
   

Well, I never get to be the best player always in any games I play (and it is not because I do not subscribe to any of these games), but I see to it that I always play fair.