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