Free to play old games from the 90s

Old games from the 90s – There is a plenty of pay to play Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPG’s) or old games from the 90s available to purchase, World of Warcraft and Aion for example. However, there are other free to play old games from the 90s that can provide a fun experience while providing a massive interactive world for your character to adventure in.

Dungeons & Dragons Online

Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) was initially released as a pay to play subscription based game back in 2006. In an effort to boost profitability and increase its player base DDO became free to play later.

DDO is set in Eberron a land of high fantasy where players can quest, both solo and in a group, for riches and magical items. Played from a third person perspective, the game features a full fledged advancement system including various feats and skills that can be earned as your character gains levels.

This one of the most popuar old games from the 90s is based around the actual tabletop game, Dungeons & Dragons 3.5, with some modifications to make it compatible as a real time online role playing game. Additionally the game has an optional online store where various items and game enhancements can be purchased with real dollars to add to your gaming experience. The store is entirely voluntary however, and not necessary to enjoy the game.

Guild Wars

Guild Wars differs from other old games from the 90s in this list as it requires an initial payment to purchase the game to play it. After this initial purchase however, the owner does not need to pay any subscription fee. Guild Wars was released in 2005 and still holds a strong player base to this day.

Guild Wars is a third person game set in the fantasy world of Tyria. The game features a campaign that can be played through solo or with friends as well as having a player vs player (PvP) component. The PvP aspect of Guild Wars is arguably its strongest as players can team up and fight in arena battles and earn a place in the tournament.

There are a number of expansions that can be purchased to enhance gameplay, these expansions adding new campaigns, quests and even playable characters. No subscription fee is ever required for the core game or the expansions.

Runescape

Runescape is an older game, released way back in 2001, however it has received a number of graphical updates to keep it looking new. Despite its age it still has an active user base in the millions and is one of the most popular MMORPG’s around.

Runescape does not have a linear storyline to follow, rather letting the player base create its own stories and intrigue, quests and PvP play are available much like other MMORPG’s. Another major difference is that Runescape is a browser based game, thus not requiring a large install or powerful computer.

Free to Play MMORPG Summary

All of these games are available via digital distribution over the internet, so try one of them now and you might just be surprised at how fun they can be and what friends you can make.

Rules for Tweens Who Play Video Games

With the environment that a tween grows up in these days, it is easy for him to think that using a mobile phone, having 24/7 Internet access, cable television, and playing with the latest video gaming consoles are his birthright. Sure, it is perfectly normal for parents to grant kids the privilege of using the latest in gaming systems, but there will come a point when too much usage will be addicting and dangerous to a child’s health and state of mind.

The Effects of Video Game Addiction to a Tween’s Health

As a result of the possibility of kids, especially those in the tween years, developing an addiction to video gaming, it is good for parents to start laying down rules when playing addicting games. There is absolutely nothing wrong in allowing a child to play his favorite video games for an hour or two, but anything more could result to an addiction.

In order for parents to realize the full impact of the dangers of playing addicting video games to a tween, here’s a brief background. Experts do say that there is a certain level of benefit enjoyed by kids who play video games. Basically, kids who suffer from asthma or diabetes can learn healthy self-care skills when playing video games.

According to Alfred Flores, author of Can Video Games Help Kids Make Healthy Choices? (United States Department Agriculture, March 14, 2006), there are also “positive” video games that teach kids good hand-eye coordination, develop necessary computing skills, and improve one’s spatial, visual and iconic skills, and teach kids about good lifestyles.

On the other hand, there are also risks faced by kids who are playing addicting old games from the 90s. There are some video games which have a violent nature – this may affect the social skills development of tweens. Being exposed to video games of a violent nature may cause some kids to develop aggression that might easily get them into fights later on.

Tweens who are physically inactive as a result of spending too much time playing with video gaming consoles are also at a risk of obesity, according to Jennifer Warner in her July 2, 2004 article “Video Games, TV Double Childhood Obesity Risk” in WebMD Health News, July 2, 2004. As such, it is important for parents to set the ground rules when it comes to how much time a kid gets to spend in front of the computer.

Limit Video Game Playing to One to Two Hours per Day

So how are parents supposed to go about laying down rules when a tween is playing video games? It is recommended that tweens spend no more than one to two hours per day in front of all electronic screens. This includes television, video gaming systems, and computers. Parents can use this as a basis when setting the ground rules of the total number of hours that a tween can spend playing his favorite video games.

While at it, laying down rules when playing video games will be even better if the nature of the games being played is monitored. For example, rather than playing solitary games, a tween can have better social interaction with his peers or family if multi-player video games are played. As an example, the Wii Fit game allows kids to exercise while competing with other people to finish races and win sports games.

Parents should implement and strictly enforce the rules when it comes to allowing kids to play addicting games. Another approach that parents can take is to only allow these types of activities during weekends, if that suits a family’s lifestyle, whether it’s using the Internet, playing video games, or watching television.

Video games are a lot of fun and aren’t going away any time soon. Tweens can use gaming systems responsibly, and enjoy the fun that the games provide. Just make sure he is following the rules of the house when it comes to playing such games, and join in the fun, too!