March 01, 2004

By: Kerry McKenzie
Website: http://www.1st-in-kids.com

New Site Offers Free, Real-Time, Multi-Player Access To Classic Games

Yahoo!, the leading navigational guide to the Internet, today announced the official opening of Yahoo! Games. Starting today, users can play the free, Java-based games with anyone else connected to the Internet, and can easily keep score with what's happening in the world of games through related news and information offerings on the site. Yahoo! Games requires no extra plug-ins and offers multi-player, multi-level access to some of the world's most classic, casual card and board games such as Bridge, Backgammon, Checkers and Chess.

Yahoo! Games brings an interactive, fun and entertaining game environment to the Yahoo! network and to our growing community of game enthusiasts, said Erik Schwartz, senior producer for Entertainment, Yahoo! Inc. Because it's free, requires no plug-ins, and brings to the Yahoo! members' keyboard a great selection of the games they love, Yahoo! Games appeals to a broad audience, and is quickly becoming a very popular Yahoo! community.

Yahoo! Game Basics

With the cards shuffled, the game pieces set, and the tables ready, Yahoo! Games offers members the opportunity to play five classic board games including Backgammon, Checkers, Chess, Go and Reversi, as well as seven familiar card games including Bridge, Cribbage, Euchre, Gin, Hearts, Poker and Spades. From the main Games page, users can select the game they would like to play. By clicking on the name of the game, users will be taken to the Ante Room. From here, users can select a gaming room, based on level of play (social, intermediate or advanced), obtain information about the rules of the game, visit related game categories, choose an identity to play under and select screen size. For users who simply want to learn the games before trying their hand, they can watch games in any level without actually playing.

In addition to choosing a game lounge based on comfort level, players may either join a table in progress or create their own table. By creating a table, the user becomes the host and has the option of inviting others to the table, excusing players, and choosing one of three table types: public (anyone can join or watch), private (only invited players can join, but anyone can watch), or protected (the table is hidden, and only invited players can join).

Content specifically tailored for computer game enthusiasts ranging from the novice to the afficionado is provided by GameSpot Inc., the leading publisher of gaming-related content on the Internet. Through GameSpot, users have access to the latest reviews, demos, links, game-related tips and hints. The new site also features the latest in Yahoo! Games announcements, Net events and important game notes.

Rules of Yahoo! Games

To join in the Yahoo! Games, users need to have a Java-enabled browser and will want to register for the free service. Yahoo! members who have already registered for Yahoo!'s personalized services such as My Yahoo!, Yahoo! Chat, Yahoo! Classifieds, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! Pager, and Yahoo! Finance Portfolios are automatically registered with Yahoo! Games and can play their hand immediately.

About The Author:

Kerry McKenzie is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-kids.com.  Helping parents find kid-approved clothes, toys, games, books, activities and more.