Did you know that the total volume of online gaming traffic reached an incredible 915 petabytes per month in 2016? This figure is expected to increase by no less than 79 per cent by the end of this year (1). Thanks to the presence of the modern Internet, there are a wealth of entertainment options at your disposal. From streaming the latest high-definition movies to listening to your favorite podcast, the fact of the matter is that something exists for everyone. The same holds true in regards to the massive online gaming community. There are literally hundreds of thousands of platforms to choose from and the sheer variety of genres is nearly limitless. Are you and your family curious to learn how you can find and enjoy the best online games for free? Why pay money when a plethora of options are at your disposal? Let’s take a look at how to find the best games as well as a handful of other tips and tricks that will come in handy along the way.
Safety First
It is always wise to use a respectable and well-known game provider. This arises from the simple fact that some platforms have been associated with malware and similar types of malicious programming. If you click on a blind link, there is a possibility that your system could become infected by a virus. In the same respect, never download any type of unknown software package without first performing a fair amount of research to ensure that it is safe.
Word of Mouth
One of the best ways to learn about the newest and most exciting games is to see what others have been saying. There are numerous gaming forums across the Internet and these members will often write objective reviews which discuss the pros and cons of a specific platform. This will prove to be an invaluable resource, as some games are naturally better than others.
Specific Search Terms
A search query such as “online games” will deliver tens of millions of results within seconds. Unfortunately, how are you to know which ones are the most appropriate for you and your family? The way around this problem is to narrow your search term down so that more discrete results are produced. Perhaps you are looking for a platform that contains a specific animal. In this instance, a search query such as “free online snake games” will provide extremely relevant results.
Let us also keep in mind that the search results provided by engines such as Google are updated on a daily basis. This is why it is wise to click on the settings tab and sort the results in terms of the date. You and your family will therefore be able to appreciate what games have recently entered into the online community.
What About Mobile Applications?
The good news in regards to free online games is that many can now be downloaded onto a portable device such as a mobile phone or a tablet with the help of a dedicated application. In fact, some even allow family members to compete with one another while away from home. While these are excellent options to consider, we still need to point out a handful of reminders:
- Be sure that the game will not require too much memory.
- See what types of permissions the platform requires.
- Determine if the game will quickly absorb power from your mobile phone battery.
On another note, many online games that are offered for “free” can be laden with advertisements and they might require in-app purchases if you hope to enjoy full functionality. This is why it is once again important to perform research in advance so that you know what to expect from the overall experience.
Finding a Family-Friendly Game
Whether you are looking for classic board games such as Monopoly or you instead interested in finding a musically oriented platform that can work with a touchscreen such as piano tiles, something exist for every type of interest. It is best to navigate to a reliable third-party portal such as PC Gamer in order to determine which developers have made the top of the list and are recommended by professionals. Finally, take a look at the age rating assigned to the game in question so that you can be assured it does not contain any type of inappropriate content.
It has never been easier to enjoy a host of free online games with the entire family. Not only is this an excellent way to spend a lazy afternoon, but playing games together is a great bonding experience. Please feel free to refer back to this article for guidance when performing a search. There is no doubt that you will find what you have been looking for.
