 Computer games have come a long way since the Atari and Commodore 64. Pong now looks rather cute in its simplicity, yet when computer games were first launched onto the masses it was the most amazing thing ever. Computer games are now so popular that they are regularly turned into Hollywood movies such as Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat. Simplicity has been replaced with strategic, layered games which are complicated to develop and to play, making them even more addictive to the growing community of gamers around the world.
This community has grown exponentially in the last few years thanks to the spread of online games. First it was just computers that allowed you to connect via the internet and play people in Australia and Sweden at the same time, but now even games consoles such as the Playstation, Wii and Xbox allow you to connect with likeminded people all over the globe. Therefore there really is an international community of gamers that spend more time together than friends and family in the immediate vicinity.
However for many children, a lot of these games are inaccessible because of cost. A games console when bought new is usually over £200 and for kids – even those that have been saving up their pocket money – this is simply out of the question. Even if they are lucky enough to be bought the console, the games are around £30-£40 each, which will instantly restrict the amount of games they can have.
But what is the alternative? If the parents aren't willing to fork out for a games console, the children will have to make do with the family computer. Which no doubt doesn't have a large enough memory or good enough graphics to run many of the complicated games such as World of Warcraft. But there is a new site that means you can feel part of the online gaming community without having to spend lots of money. Sega has recently launched playsega.com, which offers free online games. Here youngsters can play classic games such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Streets of Rage but they can also have a go at puzzle games, sports games and arcade games and parents won't have to worry about the age ratings or costs.
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