| Online games are becoming more popular with | | | | mainstream console games which currently |
| each passing year. As more people connect to | | | | dominate the market. Shockwave and Java are |
| the internet and install Shockwave or Java on | | | | tools that have allowed many people to cost |
| their computers, a huge market will open up | | | | effectively produce free online games. |
| for free online games. The prices on | | | | |
| computers are dropping, and this means that | | | | As the graphics, gameplay, and storylines of |
| more people with have access to independent | | | | these games continue to improve, more people |
| games. Many seasoned gamers are annoyed by | | | | will play them. While the PC game market |
| the politics which often exist in large video | | | | declined at the end of the 1990s, it is |
| game companies. | | | | expected that independent online games will |
| | | | fill this void. Multiplayer online games |
| Many gamers are also looking for games which | | | | should be free or very cheap to play. Because |
| allow them to interact with other players. | | | | the cost to produce them is so low, there is |
| Even with the success of online fighting | | | | no reason why players should have pay $60 to |
| games, many developers have not bothered to | | | | buy one game. The low cost trend for online |
| create them. MMORPGs are becoming more | | | | games can be seen at the Shockwave website, |
| popular than ever before. Players want to | | | | where they charge as littles as $9.95 for a |
| interact with each other and create their own | | | | game. |
| identities in the digital world. This is the | | | | |
| direction in which I believe free online | | | | Many online games can be downloaded directly |
| games are headed today. As the internet | | | | onto your computer. There is no need to go |
| becomes more widely used, people want | | | | out to the store or order them through the |
| interaction more than graphics. | | | | mail. The games are available to play as soon |
| | | | as you download them. In addition to |
| Because the video game market of today is so | | | | interactivity, people want things quickly. We |
| saturated, the cost of these games have | | | | live in a society in which virtually |
| dramatically decreased. It doesn't cost much | | | | everything moves fast. When people want to |
| money to develope a quality game if you know | | | | play games, they want them as soon as |
| where to look. This will open the door for | | | | possible. This is a demand that free online |
| many independent game companies to design | | | | games can meet. |
| games which are an alternative to the | | | | |