You know you want to (Online Games in general)

Member Name: MR.COATES

Product:	Online Games in general
Date:	24/05/01 (111 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of potential fun, Learn from others

Disadvantages: Costs, Compatibility

For PC users online gaming is something that shouldn't be too much of a shock. After all, just about every PC comes with a modem and it's more than likely that you've connected to the net at the very least even if it hasn't been at home. Online gaming is of course a slight step forward from simply browsing through web pages. The first big point is finding a particular game that you actually really like. Then you need to know that you can play this game online. Finally you need to locate a server where you can play the game. Simple eh?

OK, it's not quite as simple and straightforward as I've made it sound so let's have a look at those points in slightly more detail.

Games:
A huge amount of games that are being released (and already have been released) have some form of online use. Upgrading and making modifications to games is no new thing. Even games like flight sims can be played online. I've actually spent hours playing Microsoft Flight Sim 98 online and it really is quite a good laugh. You can fly around like a nutter if you want to or if you're taking things a touch more seriously then you can even find servers that have air traffic control etc.
The most popular type of online game by far though has to be the first person shooter. Games like Quake 3, Unreal Tournament and Half Life (including the numerous mod's) have an enormous amount of servers out there. Half Life alone has somewhere in the region of 2000 and at any given time you can get online with thousands of other player to engage in online fragfests!
I'm currently spending a lot of time playing Counterstrike (a Half Life mod) online and it really is fantastic.
Give yourself a name, choose a few customisable options and off you go - playing the game against real people rather than just 'bots' (artificial players) at home offline.

Compatibility:
This is the really big problem with PC online gaming. I rememb
er when I first wanted to play Counterstrike I spent hours just getting my version up to the same level as everyone else. You'll need the latest version of a game (i.e patched) and you'll need to make sure that the server isn't using any special settings such as a map that you don't have. On top of that you'll find that some people will have seriously fast internet access which often means that you'll get your backside kicked as soon as you get playing.
It's all possible though and as long as you've got the right software you're halfway there.

Get Playing:
With most games, joining an online game is made really just about as simple as it could be. For games that can be played online there is usually an option within the game that you can choose to play online. From there it is usually quite simple to choose the option you want or the type of game you want to play.
The other alternative is to find a game server and locate the type of game you want. Then the game will automatically launch and you can get playing that way instead. The majority of manuals have some form of guidance about what you need to do to get online and you'll find that once you've managed it everything becomes much easier.

Don't panic though, the PC isn't the only tool at your disposal if you're craving for an online gaming fix. Quite the opposite in fact. The Dreamcast console from Sega has online capabilities and with games such as Quake 3 Arena and Phantasy Star Online, gaming is really very simple. That's the beauty with an online console - everyone has the same equipment so getting an online game working is a piece of cake compared to some PC games.
The PS2 is also on the way to getting online capabilities and with the Xbox arriving later this year the world of console online gaming is going to become just as popular as the current PC preference.

Cost can be an issue too and that's wher
e the PC really benefits. With the Dreamcast you had to pay your local connection charge per minute and even at 1p off peak that can amount to quite alot if you're playing a couple of hours a day or more. With PC's there is much more scope for unmetred access and fixed packages so you know that you're not going to run up massive phone bills. No doubt this will be resolved for console gamers in the coming months though.

Overall I have to say that I love online gaming. It lets you see what other players can do and you'll no doubt improve your playing style as your experience improves. Never mind having a mate round for a two player game - get online and play with twenty or thirty people at a time!

Summary: