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What is online gaming?

Online gaming is a term given to any computer gaming that takes place on or over the internet or a network of computers. In its most common form, it is used to describe playing a multiplayer game with other individuals, who may be based anywhere around the world. Online gaming also includes games played on social networking websites, for example 'Farmville' on facebook, or browser-based games such as 'Bejewelled'. It can also include online versions of console games purchased in stores, or games played/bought through a games console

Types of online gaming

There are various types of online gaming:

Console gaming online

Games consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, are machines designed primarily for game playing. Many games on these consoles are designed to be played online either competitively or cooperatively with other gamers. This could be with either randomly selected players, or friends that have the same console and game.

Multiplayer PC online gaming

Online gaming was originally created for PCs. There is a wide variety of ways to play multiplayer games on the PC including head to head gaming and co-operative play (much like console gaming), and massively multiplayer games. These massively multiplayer games are generally limited to PCs, and have become bigger in recent years. They provide an online community of gamers where players can communicate, trade in-game items and play cooperatively or competitively with others. The best known massively multiplayer game is World of Warcraft, which charges a monthly fee to play online and has over 10 million players worldwide.

Free online gaming on PC

There are thousands of games available to play for free online from simple browser based Flash games to more comprehensive downloadable 3D games. Many of these are created by individuals and submitted to online games websites such as www.newgrounds.com and www.miniclip.com, and recently to social networking sites such as Facebook. Some are designed for single player use only, while some can be played with other gamers either locally on one machine or through the internet.

Online gaming starter guide

How it works

In order to play any game online, you will need a connection to the internet. Most modern PC and console games will require a high speed broadband connection to play online. Players will also need the relevant hardware to play: either a games console or a PC.

PC gaming requirements

All PC games have a list of system requirements that the PC must have in order for the game to install correctly. Once installed, the game can use the computer’s internet connection to allow play online. Free online games generally require much lower system specifications in order to play and as such can be played on older computers with slower internet connections.

Console gaming requirements

Console gaming is much simpler; as long as you buy the correct version of a game (ie the game relevant to the console you own) you can simply run the game directly from the game disc. You will still need a high speed internet connection and any relevant cables and equipment to connect the console to the internet. Generally, this can be as simple as plugging a cable into your router. Almost all consoles now allow you to connect wirelessly.

Other considerations

When playing certain games, including online gambling and casino sites, users may have to enter bank account details in order to purchase credit/ in-game content. Follow all standard precautions that you would make when online shopping if this is the case.

With both PC and console games, you are often able to create a friends list based on a user’s profile. This means you can track when your friends come online and invite them to play a multiplayer game with you when they do.

Find out more:

Read our sections on the concerns about online gaming as well as the advantages of online gaming.

The advantages of online gaming

There are a number of advantages of playing games online. For a start it allows people to play others from around the world, meaning you could play friends or family that live in other countries, and communicate and interact with them as if they were playing with you locally.

More realistic gaming experience

In many games, playing online multiplayer modes provides a more realistic gaming experience, as opponents are real, thinking humans, rather than a computer’s artificial intelligence. While recent advances in gaming have meant that computer controlled opponents’ looks and behaviour have become much more realistic, many feel that playing other people provides a much more believable experience as other players can react and change tactics, communicate with each other and form communities, teams and friendships.

Free play options

Many online games sites provide simple, fun games that are funded by advertising.  As such, users can simply visit a website and play for free. These sites, including social networking sites such as Facebook, often allow you to log in to an online account. This means you can access in-game achievements and progress from any computer, allowing you to effectively take your games with you.

Educational benefits

Gaming itself has been proven to be educational and can help develop reflexes. Many games are now designed to help develop lateral thinking, increase your memory and even get you fitter. There is a movement toward more physically active games that have you dancing, performing fitness exercises or playing virtual musical instruments.

Relaxation and escape

In moderation gaming can be a great way to unwind and escape, and can even help improve fitness levels and creative thinking too, dependent on the type of games played.  However there are obvious issues that excessive gaming can cause. Playing games is a hobby just like reading or watching television. As such, it is important that playing games forms part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. You should also take regular breaks when playing games, a recommended 5-10 minutes every 45 minutes.

Further information

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4774534.stm

www.ukie.info/playsafe

Concerns about online gaming

Online gaming can be a great form of entertainment for people of all ages. It allows increased communication and interaction with friends and family, as well as connecting with people that we would never have the opportunity to otherwise. However, there are a number of concerns that need to be considered when online gaming, especially when thinking about how to ensure children stay safe online.

Content

As with films, all commercial PC and console games come with an age rating. This should be adhered to for both single and multiplayer, on and off-line. Online content is sometimes difficult to monitor; for example in-game communications between players cannot always be effectively monitored as it is usually “real-time” and often delivered through audio equipment such as microphones and headsets. Even if a child is old enough to play a particular game, it is important to monitor them when playing online, as others may act inappropriately or use offensive language while playing. If other gamers do behave inappropriately, you are often able to report them to either the game or console manufacturers, so that they can be investigated further and potentially banned from playing online. Parents can also limit their child’s interaction and engagement online through the appropriate parental controls fitted to all games consoles.

Remember that online gaming is primarily going to be used by children, so it is an area of the internet that may well be targeted by people looking to exploit or abuse children. By being aware of this, preparing correctly and monitoring your child’s game playing, you can ensure your child stays safe online.

Physical straining

It is important to take regular breaks when playing games for extended periods of time. Taking a ten minute break every 45 minutes to an hour is recommended to allow you to rest your eyes and relax your hands to avoid problems such as headaches, eye and hand strain.

Games addiction

Recently, "addiction" to computer games (whilst not an official, clinical term) has become a topic of conversation. Many games are designed to involve players as much as possible and create a very real feeling of success when winning or progressing. Primarily, this is to heighten the players’ enjoyment of the game. However, some people have proven to be susceptible to excessive gaming (which is often reflective of other underlying factors). Furthermore, as gamers create an online community of friends, it can be an attractive concept to spend as much time as possible with these friends, further increasing the likelihood of becoming hooked.

As an individual it’s important to keep all of this in mind and make sure that you take regular breaks and continue an active life outside of video games. As the parent or guardian of a young gamer, it is important to enforce a limit on the amount of time games can be played, just as you would for the amount of television or amount of time spent on the computer. Games consoles come fitted with parental controls, which allow parents to limit the amount of time their children can spend playing games.

As long as these things are kept in mind, there is no reason why anyone cannot enjoy online gaming. Problems such as excessive gaming arise in a very small minority of the gaming community and as long as precautions such as those describe take place, there should not be any problem.

Further information

For information about playing games online safely visit: http://www.getsafeonline.org/nqcontent.cfm?a_id=1410

For gaming tips for parents and for children please visit: http://www.staysafeonline.org/in-the-home/online-gaming

www.ukie.info/playsafe

Online gaming advice for parents

Online computer games are a great way for children to challenge their friends at the latest games, while improving their co-ordination, reactions and cognitive skills. Online gaming communities can however present a threat to the safety of your child, as they can potentially contain cyber-bullies, criminals and those looking to exploit children. There are some simple steps that you can take as a parent, which help keep your children safe while gaming online.

Gaming Areas:

Try to avoid placing games consoles and computers in the bedrooms of your children. Games consoles situated in family areas such as living rooms, allow you to monitor your children’s interaction with other players online, and look out for inappropriate behaviour from others.

Teach your children to play safe online:

Educate your children in how to stay safe online. Inform them of the kinds of dangers that are out there, and ensure they do not pass out any personal information during online games.

Avoid the use of webcams and “voice-chat” by your children during games, as they clearly show online predators that they are interacting with a minor. These functions can be disabled through the use of parental controls

Let your children know that they should inform you, of any situation in a game where they feel scared or uncomfortable, particularly if another player has made any inappropriate requests or made threatening comments towards them.

If your child does encounter abuse online, or if other players make inappropriate suggestions towards them, most of the online gaming networks allow users (and indeed parents) to file complaints through their website. Gamers who are persistently abusive, or who the gaming network feel are behaving inappropriately, will be banned and prevented from taking part in online games.

Parental Controls:

Parental controls functions are available on all three major consoles (PS3, Wii and Xbox). Parents can set these controls to ensure children can only watch and play content that is age-appropriate, as parental controls link to the PEGI age rating system. Parents can also set the amount of time they wish their children to play games for and how much internet connectivity they have through their console. Parents can also disable certain functions, for example online chat.

Find out more

For further information about online gaming visit: www.ukie.info/playsafe

This personal information might also be of interest: Child Safety

Security advice for online gamers

For many people, there is no greater thrill than entering a virtual gaming world, challenging our friends to a high octane race in the world’s fastest cars, or by saving the day when we overthrow a group of insurgents, with our eagle-eye sniper skills.

With high-speed broadband being piped into almost every home in the UK, online games have taken a leap forward in gameplay. Gamers can now use video and voice chat during games, perhaps to discuss tactics, or simply chat to friends. Gaming communities have been built up, that can contain literally millions of other individuals, who can all interact with each other.

Online games can however present a significant security risk to individuals, who may be uninformed of the dangers. Children are particularly vulnerable while gaming online, as the anonymous nature of gaming communities can often attract online predators.

This article contains some simple steps that you can take, to help keep you and your children safe while gaming online.

Personal Information:

Identity Theft in the UK is now the highest it has ever been. A recent statistic from the organisation CIFAS indicates that in 2010, roughly 89,000 individuals in the UK became victims of Identity Theft.

Online gamers can reduce the risk of Identity Theft, by limiting the amount of personal information that they make publicly available in character profiles, forums and on social networking sites.

Avoid using any personal information for character names or profiles, such as your name, age or location.

Do not give out any personal information in chatrooms during online gaming, such as telephone numbers or addresses.

Do not use a real photo of yourself for your game profile. There are many free “Avatars” that can be obtained online, that are a much safer alternative in giving your profile a personal touch.

Software Updates:

In some rare and unfortunate cases commercially released games may accidently contain bugs, which are only discovered once the game has been purchased and played by the end-user. These bugs can sometimes be errors in the game that affect the operation of the game, but in some instances, bugs may also present security vulnerabilities. Security vulnerabilities have the potential to allow a hacker to access your console or computer, often to steal personal information or install malware.

When bugs and security vulnerabilities are discovered, developers normally release an update soon after, that can be used to fix the issue(s), and keep you safe. Updates may also contain game improvements, such as support for a new game controller or other accessory.

Keep your games at their most recent version, by regularly checking for updates and patches on the manufacturer’s website.

Online Payments:

Many of the console and game manufacturers offer online services, where extra game levels, add-ons and subscriptions can be purchased. Avoid the temptation to store your credit / debit card details on the provider’s database for the sake of convenience. If the provider suffers an online security breach, then your card details could quite easily fall into the wrong hands.

Manually entering your card details each time you make a purchase, may seem like an inconvenience, but it offers better peace of mind, knowing your card details are stored safely in your wallet - not someone else’s.

If you really must store the details of a credit / debit card on the manufacturer’s database, why not use a pre-paid debit card ? Most of the major credit card companies now offer pre-paid debit cards that you can top-up, before using them to make payments online. If the card details fall into the wrong hands online, then you will only ever potentially lose the maximum amount stored on the card. Pre-paid cards can only be used if there is sufficient balance on the card, so there is no risk of the cardholder running into any debt. Not only do pre-paid cards offer an additional layer of payment security, they are also a great way to control spending in general.

Password Strength:

Choosing a good password is the first line of defence in ensuring your online game profile and user account are only accessible by you.

Easily guessable passwords, are without a doubt, the most common security vulnerability found in today’s online world. Passwords that are made up from personal information, such as: dates of birth, middle names, pet’s name or mother's maiden name, could be easily obtained from public records or guessed by people who know you.

Choose a strong password that is known only to you, using a combination of upper and lower-case characters and numbers. Ensure your password is at least 8 characters long. The longer you make your password, the more difficult it will be for a hacker to break into your account – so be creative!

Pirates Beware:

Using cracked or pirated games is not only illegal in the UK (and most other countries), they frequently contain “hidden extras”, in the form of malware. A popular method for criminals to infect their victim’s computers, is by uploading infected games and software to P2P (Peer-to-Peer) networks and online file sharing sites.

Unless you are playing games that you are certain are genuine, you may be exposing yourself and other family members to a significant risk of Trojans, Worm Viruses and other malware – sometimes unknowingly.

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