It is difficult to say how long the boom will last, but experts are predicting that online gaming is here to stay, not least because of the attention it is receiving from some of the biggest computer companies in the world.
One such company is Sega. The Japanese software developer became a global icon in the 90s on the back of Sonic the Hedgehog and consoles such as the Megadrive and the Dreamcast, but has now turned its attention to software development, leaving the console wars to the likes of Microsoft and Sony.
The reason why Sega is important is because it is renowned for making astute business decisions. As the company expanded into software development it became involved with two of the biggest video game series in history: 'Total War' and 'Football Manager.' The company has a habit of picking the winning horses.
Sega's online gaming website playsega.co.uk boasts a number of games that have an arcade style and are neither difficult to play, nor particularly complex. They are, however, quite successful, and orientated towards the whole family rather than any particular demographic. Sega's focus on games that can be played by anyone, regardless of age or gender, is symptomatic of the online gaming industry as a whole and perhaps one of the major reasons for its success.
Online gaming is growing rapidly in popularity and it is not the domain of the stereotypical solitary adolescent male and never will be again. Some games directed at children have educational elements, whilst those directed at adults can be easily played by just about anyone. Experts are suggesting that many sites will retain a simplistic feel, making them easily accessible to everyone rather than developing to pursue certain demographics. Online gaming, it seems, is here to stay.
By: Christian Bulman
Friday, October 30, 2009
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