6. Browser games - is it the future?

Name of the driving force
Browser games – is it the future?

What is it?
Browser games come in many shapes and sizes. Typically these are games that can be played using a web browser. The main advantage of this technology is that it doesn’t require much computer power and can be easily played by anyone because of the almost non existing learning curve. The type of the games offered in a browser is changing. From only text-based games they evolved to action, platform games played in a browser. Now real 3d action games that require a heavy pc can be accessed and played through only a browser without any installation required (i.e. Quake Live).

Enablers

• Web browser
• Internet connection
• Social networks

Inhibitors (what can stop or slow the driving force down)

• Piracy issues
• Cost-benefit issues on supplying free to play games.
• Spy ware issues in web based games.
• Monthly subscription free pays to play.

Experts

There aren’t really experts in the web browser games industry.

Timing

With the emerging new technologies to play games through a web-browser, is it time coming that we don’t need much computer power to play video games? Is the way the browser is evolving going to change the way video games are going to be played? Integration is the word. The browser is setting the standard for integrating everything at one place.

Web resources

Quake live: http://www.quakelive.com/
List of multiplayer browser games: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multiplayer_browser_games