A short overview of the history of arcade games and flash games will show that there is a huge connection

between these two types of games. Arcade games have a long history and, even though the arcade games were
not in the past what we know them to be today, the same concept is the main ingredient for the new ones as well.
The arcade games are usually simple, have iconic characters, a certain number of levels with increasing difficulty
and they do not require high skills or much learning time. In addition, they do not have deep storylines as most
console games have in our days. Todays PC or console games with the same qualities can be considered arcade
games.

Starting from the early 1920s with the use of old arcade games in the amusement parks (such as ball toss games,
coin-operated machines or pinball) this whole industry has evolved immensely. This passion for arcade games
motivated their producers to always search for something better and more entertaining. They have outdone
themselves every time something new appeared on the market. From wood made machines and mechanical or
electronic scoring readouts to the playing of games online, all games have conquered the hearts of the ageless
children. Because people enjoy these arcade games so much they want to play them all the time. This is why they
have not even completely left aside the coin-operated arcade games. They resort to them in restaurants, shopping
malls, bars or pubs. However, they are only a substitute to the computer versions because playing games online is
much better.

When speaking of flash games, we must take into consideration the fact that they are a more complex, more
modern, even if their ancestors are definitely arcade games. Flash games take their name from the platform used
for their building – Flash, a program made by Macromedia. This modern interactive platform named Flash has
three major components: the player, the file format and the authoring tool. ceme The main advantage of this
program is that of being very easy to use. Because of this fact, the games built with the help of the platform have
more options than others do. For example, a house the player destroys will burn down with different effects. In
order to be more convinced of the high importance that this platform has for us when playing a flash game we
should know that it is usually necessary to download a free version of Macromedia Flash Player each time one
feels like playing free games online. Generally, you can download the latest version of Flash from Macromedia.
That is if your browser gets errors relating to Flash.

If you simply like to play good games online without knowing the whole technique that stands behind graphics,
too many details about the designing of flash games are unnecessary. Flash games are all the games you play at
home on your computer and have the ending .exe (meaning executable). As long as they make you enjoy the
spare time spent at home, the flash games will be your best friend. A favorite application can turn into a real sport
because playing flash games stimulates competition and trains reflexes. Web sites that host these kinds of
activities and offer you free games give you the opportunity of joining teams of players and of participating to
mass championships online.

Today, flash games have come to incorporate the qualities of arcade games. Flash games have levels, characters
and certain plots, just as the old games did, only they are more advanced. Built on the same basic concept that
stands behind the old arcade games, flash games now present a bigger potential. Therefore, a wider public uses
them. At least one can be found in any home and on any computer. They are short, usually easy to play and they
have evolved the same way as arcade games – from shorter to longer, from simple plots to more complex and
contemporary ones. When playing flash games you will have to accomplish a certain task. For arcade games, the
idea is pretty much the same, meaning that you will have to solve a certain problem.

Many of todays Internet web sites offer a large amount of games, which are very popular thanks to their
interesting and exciting plots, but also because of the fact that they are free games. Playing games online offers
the player the chance to meet and confront new people or people they already know. Several surveys have shown
that people enjoy sites that have a large offer of free games and that they would rather play flash games than do
other things, considered more attractive in general. Another conclusion was that adults are more likely to play
flash games than teenagers are. This goes to show that playing has no age and as long as the activity relaxes and
makes people have fun it will always create an addiction. There is a child in everyone expecting to have his share
of free games online.