September 6th, 2007
Idea of playing your favorite game genre in your web browser for free with and against thousand of players is a really tempting one. Commercial massive multiplayer games are all made in the same way, RPGs with class and skill systems, levels, magic, armor and weapons. They require constant attention from player and take too much time for anyone who wants to have some real life (you know, job, family, friends…). Browser games are more suitable for turn based gaming where you are required to log on now and then and give some general orders but you don’t have to be online often. Most genres could adapt such games but there are some which are more suitable.
Turn based strategy game can placed in the galaxy where players battle for resources with their neighbors, make raids through their sector and form galaxy wide alliances.
In sport manager game you could take a role of team manager, setup tactics for matches, buy and sale players, search for sponsors and win titles and promotions. All that in competition system with thousand other players.
It can also be a tycoon game. I’m yet to see real implementation for this genre but it should be possible. Taking role of company manager player could compete with other players for market share, research new technologies, build factories, manage staff and invest in smaller companies managed by other players… An opportunity waits.
Unfortunately, all these games fall into common pitfall; they stop to be fun once you learn all the rules. Afterwards you just do what game system requires from you.