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How to play a game
It'll blow you away

You've beaten the lame computer opponent that came with your formerly hot game about a bazillion times. You're about ready to hang it up and move on to the latest cool game. Wait. What if you could try that old game again -- but this time against someone who's as into gaming as you are?

Or maybe you're wanting to play Doom at 3 a.m., and you've just downloaded this cool DoomWad (a customizing add-on program) that turns all of the bad guys into Barney. But your game-playing friends have all crashed.

Somewhere out there on the Internet someone is hungry for a match, just like you. To hook up with them you can use one of the many gaming services that offer real-time play with full-action graphics, 16-bit sound, and fast game play. Or, if your favorite game is designed for playing directly on the Net, you can find a list of active servers running your game and join in directly. Head-to-head competition -- that is, an online game against a human opponent -- adds a new dimension to an old gaming environment, whether you are shooting the moon against an Australian Hearts opponent or having a Quake Deathmatch with someone you never met.

Watch out, though. The first time you sign on, prepare to be blown out. Chances are, your opponent has played online before, perhaps having signed on to a Net gaming service or a local bulletin board system (BBS) that offers head-to-head matches. You'll probably get your butt kicked as you learn the subtleties of how a game works online -- even if you've played it before, even if it's chess or backgammon. There's nothing like playing a game online with a human.

It's exciting to imagine the person you're playing yelling in frustration as you slash the enemy avatar with your digital scimitar. It's satisfying to think of your challenger's chagrin when you lay down a full house to his or her straight. And, just imagine this: A few Internet Service Providers are set up so you can actually talk with your foes over the Net!

Admit it: It's much more interesting playing a game against someone with a distinct personality and playing style than it is to play some programmed computer. You don't have to play against anyone either. Some games will let you gang up with other Netheads and blow away the computer opponent.

Just don't talk too much smack when you start winning.

-- Written by David Machata, Marieke Boer, and Greg Quiroga

Here's How - Click for more!
Click for more!


Here's How - Click for more!
David Machata tells how
to get it done on the Net:
How does game playing on the Net work?
What types of games are on the Net?
How do I find the games I like?
How can I get access to a game?
How do I find somebody to play with?
What computer setup is best?

Snappy Picks

Prominent providers games
America Online
CompuServe
DWANGO
EarthLink
GEnie
Kali
Mpath
Rocket Science
Total Entertainment Network (TEN)

Web-based BBSs
ICE
Kesmai
The Modem Connection
Software Creations Web BBS

Like major game publishers, dude
Accolade
Activision
Apogee
Bethesda
Blizzard
Bullfrog
Bungie
EA
EIDOS
Epic MegaGames
Id Software
Interactive Magic
Interplay
Kesmai
LucasArts
MicroProse
Mindscape
New World Computing
Nova Logic
Ocean
Origin
Phillips
Sierra On-Line
Sir Tech
SSI
Take 2
3D Realms
Virgin Interactive Games

More games, more details
Escape Velocity
Diablo
Tomb Raider
GameSpot
NASCAR Racing 2
Happy Puppy
Multiplayer Games & Simulations
X-Band
Multi-Player IBM PC Games List
comp.sys.ibm.pc.games


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