Browser Games

The emergence of browser games

Browser games found their origins early on. As early as autumn 1995, the game SOL was launched, which was developed in Hamburg. The science fiction economic simulation of that time is of course not comparable with today’s games. But it already found many fans at the time. Five years later, the game Planetarion was launched by the project group Fifth Season AS. The developers were based in Oslo and managed to have up to 175,000 people playing at the same time. The game is more comparable to today’s browser games.

The focus was no longer only on the game, but especially on the fact that many people could play at the same time. It was a whole new experience that you could also play against others and not just the computer. Nowadays, the graphics are more and more realistic. This is due to the high-speed internet and also the graphics cards, which now do fascinating things. This means that today you can really dive into a virtual world and play with others. The communities, i.e. the other players, are an important topic in internet games.

Communities of browser games

Whole groups of fans or players have formed around the games. They join together as teams or alliances to play together. Especially in the case of strategy games, this makes sense and leads to significantly more success. On the one hand, joint action is organised via the communication options that are already integrated in many games. But also outside the game, people exchange information via social media or their own websites. The chat among each other creates a completely new sense of community and enables the alliances to pursue common strategies. In the meantime, you can also find forums outside the game in the other games. Here players also exchange news, give each other tips and can ask questions about the game.

The social aspect of it is quite important. Compared to other video games, where you are completely cut off from social contacts. Here you can share common interests and also exchange ideas in groups outside the game. This can lead to new friendships. But the most important thing is that you don’t lose contact with the outside world. Because that is the first step towards addictive behaviour and can be dangerous.

How browser games work

Browser games, also known as MMOGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Games), are easy to start. In most cases, you don’t need to download anything, just log in and start playing straight away. The advantage is that you play directly in your internet browser. Other games require a console and some other equipment. All you need is your computer, a stable internet connection and you can usually play with a keyboard and mouse.

The use of the internet has changed, and game developers are naturally reacting to this. While you used to need your PC at home, there are more and more games that can be played on the move. You can play them comfortably from anywhere with your smartphone or tablet. Of course, you need to have an internet connection. But most mobile phone providers have good network coverage. Therefore you can also play on the move.

The rules of the game differ, of course, depending on the game. But usually the introduction to a game is explained or self-explanatory. Only when you start your first strategies you should get more detailed information. Communities of the individual games are a good place to start if you want to learn more detailed information about the games. Here you will find like-minded people and many useful tips.

Free games on the internet

You can find free-to-play games on the internet. But you always have to ask yourself whether the games are really free. You can play them in the browser, as a client or as an app. If you download them and play on your PC or with an app, you still need an internet connection. Consider how much time, effort and technology is needed for the development of the games. So you will realise they can hardly be free. After all, the staff and the technical infrastructure of the games have to be financed.

Those who have already tried the free fun will notice that the game is often interrupted. And it almost stands to reason that advertising will take over the financing here. You have to watch the advertising clips in between and put up with being shown again and again. But at least the entertainment is free for you. With subscriptions or a one-time fee for the pro version, you can turn off the advertising. So you have to support the companies in the background financially. Either by watching ads or by paying a fee. Another point you have to keep in mind are continuous updates and security adjustments. A game is not developed and the work on it is completed with its launch. Especially games with chat and community functions are very maintenance-intensive, and high costs keep accruing. Just the server capacities alone that are made available. You want to be able to save your game state on the external server. This way you can continue playing where you left off without any problems the next time you log in. Without these offers, you would have to start from the beginning every time.

In-game purchases instead of free fun

A difference is the so-called in-game purchase. Anyone who downloads a game onto their smartphone will already be familiar with the term InApp purchases. In contrast to general costs of a game, you could call them additional services. In the game itself, you are repeatedly offered the opportunity to buy items for a small deposit. In war games or strategy games, the items or bonuses can be useful to progress faster. If you do without them, you do not necessarily have worse chances in the game. You can be just as successful, but in case of doubt, you have to invest more time. You can have just as much fun without spending any money. You just have to expect that it will take you longer to reach your goal.

However, if you decide to make these in-game purchases, you can succeed faster. It’s like a booster for the game you can treat yourself to again and again for small amounts of money. The most important thing is to pay attention to whether it is a one-time payment or a subscription. Normally you want to decide by yourself when and how often to buy something. Therefore you don’t want to sign up for a subscription. Always make sure that there are no regular debits and set yourself a limit. Responsible gaming is always important so it is in browser games, too. Otherwise you can quickly lose control over your purchases. As a result, you will no longer enjoy the game and will have spent a lot of money on it.

Different genres or theme worlds in browser games

Games are as diverse as the interests of different players. Of course, the developers always base their games a little on demand. So they look at what the fans are particularly interested in and what they are looking for. The question is also always which games are particularly successful. It all started with science fiction games and they are still extremely popular. With many new themes and fascinating graphics, you take a real trip into a virtual world.

You decide where the virtual games take you. You dive into an adventure that is not only about playing. You experience exciting stories by going on a treasure hunt with pirates. You complete missions in shooting games and do it as a team with other players. You travel back in time to the Middle Ages or clever combinations are required in the strategy games. There are also themes such as space, action, economy, fantasy and sports. In the farm games, you are responsible for the harvest and the yield. Whereas in a city-building game you not only have to take care of the buildings and infrastructure. You are also responsible for the satisfaction of the inhabitants.

With simulation games you can become a pilot or ship captain in no time at all. The 3D games are particularly realistic with their special effects. The games, often designed as fantasy worlds, give you the feeling that you are really part of it. Similar to the new generation of virtual reality games. However, they still require much more equipment and are therefore not yet very widespread.

When you search for games, you can also find out which system they should run on. The games are now available for iOS and Android. Some are great on mobile phones, others are more suitable for tablets or PCs.

Advantages and disadvantages of browser games

At first glance, free browser games sound like simple entertainment in between. Just switch off from everyday life and start playing in the internet browser instead of the classic video games. When you take a closer look, you realise that there are advantages and disadvantages. Of course, the perception of the sides speaking for and against depends on your personality. We would like to list some of the advantages but also the disadvantages. You can then decide for yourself whether you see more points on the respective side or whether you have a different opinion. However, it can also be a chance to decide whether to give browser games a try.

Availability as main advantage

When it comes to advantages, availability is clearly an important point. You can play almost anywhere you have an internet connection. Most games are optimised for smartphone and tablet software. This means you can easily access the games even when you are on the move. Since you play in the browser, there are usually no special hardware requirements. Almost every common modern end device is suitable. The internet connection is much more relevant. If it is stable, there is hardly anything standing in the way of your gaming pleasure. There is no download, so you can start immediately. The social component of the new games is also interesting. You get to know new interesting people through the communities. By playing together and sharing your interests, new friendships can develop. First you play together and then you exchange information and make new private contacts.

Gaming behavior as disadvantage

The main disadvantages are the dangers of playing. As with other video games and games of chance, it can happen that you will lose control of your gaming behavior. The potential for addiction is given and you must always handle it responsibly. This also means setting time limits so that you don’t completely sink into the game world. On the other hand, you have to invest time in many games to become one of the best players. You should not forget your private life besides the game and find a balance. As an alternative to investing a lot of time, you can often buy features. Sometimes there are premium accounts that you have to pay for, which give you advantages. The games are no longer free and you have to consider whether it is worth it. But always keep in mind that others may be better than you. It might be for the sole reason of the features and they don’t play better than you.