Online gaming edges out video games

Online gaming edges out video games

Online gaming edges out video games

It is not only the youth but the elderly as well as professionals hooked on to it.

Divya Sethi

Ludhiana, June 23: Video games are passe. Welcome the brand new world of computer gaming. With the intense heat not leaving many avenues for entertainment, it is this form of gaming which is rocking the city. And do not be surprised as you enter a cyber cafe to find that it is not just the young or the teenagers hooked on to computer games, but the elderly and professional as well, who claim it is fast becoming their passion and obsession.

The new wave of online gaming has been fats popularised by cyber cafes. Shivali Sharma of Reliance Web World said, ‘‘Youngsters in the age group of 15-25 years mostly come and spend approximately two to three hours daily on these games, which are played via the internet. The most popular games among youngsters are Need For Speed, Fifa, War Craft and Counter Strike. The interesting feature in these games is that your game partner could be any one - your cousin sitting in LA or las Vegas or even the friend sitting on the computer terminal next to you.



Raja Mandeep Singh, a veterinary doctor who claims to be one such gamer, says, ‘‘I really enjoy playing online games. Earlier, this facility was not so easily available at cyber cafes, but now as the trend is catching up, I am not an exceptional one. I enjoy playing counter strike and spend atleast two hours in the cafe.’’

Gurvinder Singh, Territory Manager, Sify i-way, says, ‘‘Online gaming is increasing in popularity with each passing day. Customers in the age group of 8-13 years come to pass time, this style of gaming has become passion for the 20-30 age group as well. People above 30 years also come and they play for stakes.’’ He said this trend of online gaming is popular among all age groups. Online gaming competitions are also organised. Shivali Sharma of Reliance Web World added, ‘‘We organised this competition last month and divided it into three phases Zonal, Middle and Final; and the response was beyond our expectation.’’ The pile of entries sitting on Shivali’s desk, some 36 inches in height, showed how popular online gaming is.

Surinder Singh is 22 years old and finds online gaming the best mode of entertainment. He says, ‘‘I am a marketing executive and after a tiring day I refresh myself with these games. My favourite game is War craft, which is the most difficult game.’’