Internet Games for Dummies

Internet Games for Dummies

While everyone else is trying to prove that the Internet isn't all fun and games, Internet Games For Dummies is here to show you that it's at least chock-full of them. In Internet Games For Dummies, computer gamester John Kaufeld opens up the world of Internet gaming, where there's something for every computer game lover: galactic battles, fantasy adventures, card games, blood-and-guts shoot-em-ups, and more. In-depth chapters explain how to ready your PC or Mac for the total gaming experience, from going online through commercial services like America Online to connecting directly through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). With Internet Games For Dummies, you can go straight to the best of the best downloadable games and log in to the most-active multiplayer Web-based games. You can even find some tips on improving your gaming skills, whether the opponent is someone else out there on the vast World Wide Web, yourself, or just plain lady luck. For those into the virtual nuts and bolts of cybertechnology, dealing with such issues as bandwidth, processing speeds, latency, and game service idiosyncrasies is half the enjoyment of online gaming. But for the rest of you, all that stuff just gets in the way of your fun. Kaufeld simplifies the issues so that you can focus on playing games and having a good time--and he does so in the honored Dummies series manner, with nontechnical language and lots of laughs. His four-part approach begins with an overview of the online gaming world. First he demystifies the technical matters that can't be avoided and then he explores the online game opportunities, examining gaming services, showing where to find playing tips, and sharing the rudiments of online play etiquette. In part 2, Kaufeld expounds on some of the best games you can log into, arranging games both alphabetically and by game type. Kaufeld devotes the third part to helping you make your computer the most entertaining gaming companion it can be. In simple terms, he discusses what's involved in upgrading components, video, sound, and connections and shows the payoffs. The fourth section continues the worthwhile Dummies tradition of "lists of tens," which includes 10 common game problems and solutions, 10 ways to make games play better, 10 family games, 10 top Internet sites for game information, and 10 gaming areas on America Online and CompuServe. The logical table of contents should be all you require to find information, but the clear and complete index also allows you to find facts in a snap. If you ever needed a reason to go out and upgrade your old 486, then here it is. No one needs a Pentium 2 for writing a letter in WordPerfect, but it sure makes playing multiplayer versions of Diablo or Quake 2 a lot more fun. Kaufeld begins with upgrading your machine and choosing a game provider, then looks at dealing with technical problems, family-oriented games, general game information, and tricks to staying alive online. Public libraries would do well to stock multiple copies. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.