| Over recent years there has been an ever | | | | this is the main participating age range, |
| increasing demand worldwide for online | | | | people of all ages, from all over the world, |
| multiplayer games. This growth has been | | | | play in there millions. Such is the demand |
| fuelled by the booming skill games sector | | | | for the playing of these games, there are now |
| which has evolved from being a niche market | | | | skill gaming sites with hundreds of thousands |
| just a few years ago, to very much a | | | | of individuals playing games online at any |
| mainstream player today. | | | | one time. |
| | | | |
| I always considered typical online gamers to | | | | What Exactly Are Skill Games? |
| be young males playing the 'hardcore' console | | | | |
| type games. Although this market does exist | | | | Skill games are familiar, fun pastimes such |
| and it is itself a massive one, the skill | | | | as: |
| games sector has really flourished over | | | | |
| recent years and appeals to a much broader | | | | • Board games like draughts, backgammon |
| demographic. | | | | |
| | | | • Sports games like pool, golf and |
| Skill games or addictive online games, as | | | | basketball |
| they are sometimes known, are browser based | | | | |
| games which are played in a tournament | | | | • Puzzle games like jigsaws and word |
| format. Each participant pays a cash entry | | | | games |
| fee to play and with a cash or merchandise | | | | |
| prize going to the winner or winners of the | | | | Until quite recently I had never played an |
| tournament. | | | | online game in my life thinking that they |
| | | | were for kids and would simply not interest |
| Unlike the often complex console games, skill | | | | me. How wrong I was. I have always loved |
| games last for only a few minutes at a time | | | | playing pool, so I went online and found a |
| and have only a few very simple rules to | | | | pool game to play. It was brilliant and I |
| learn before playing. For these reasons, | | | | was instantly hooked. I started playing for |
| skill games can be enjoyed during a break at | | | | free but when I had become a little more |
| work or at any other time when you have a few | | | | competent, I started placing small wagers on |
| minutes to spare. In fact, 80% of people who | | | | each game; this just added to the excitement. |
| have played addictive online games during the | | | | I then entered a £1000 cash prize |
| workday felt better focused as a result of | | | | tournament and although I did not win, I felt |
| this periodic mental break. What's more, an | | | | a real buzz knowing that I was competing live |
| amazing 72% relied on game breaks to reduce | | | | with people around the world. I can really |
| job-related stress. | | | | now see first hand how and why the skill |
| | | | games market has really grasped the attention |
| The simplicity and rapid completion of this | | | | of all ages from all cultures and countries |
| gaming type is a key reason why these online | | | | worldwide. |
| multiplayer games appeal to a much broader | | | | |
| age range than the far more complicated and | | | | If you're looking for a little excitement and |
| immersive console games. In fact, skill | | | | you have not yet done so, I urge you to pick |
| gamers tend to be both men and women between | | | | out a good skill games site and have a crack |
| the ages of 35 and 65, with a slight | | | | at some online multiplayer games today. |
| demographic skew towards women. Although | | | | |