Online browser games can simply be defined as computer games that can be played in potentially any web browser. They don not require high end hardware or software; in some cases, you may have to download certain plug-ins, though. Now, this type of games are bringing about a shift in the whole gaming paradigm, which might just lead to a revolution.

It is probably a far-reaching assumption to say that online browser games will totally replace the traditional computer and video games. Still, game developers seem to be wanting nothing but to achieve that. Online games are already being played by masses of people, and their popularity is constantly on the up and up. Since browser games do not need much to work and are very diversified, they are able to reach many different target groups. Usually, they are also free to play. which is just another advantage. What is more, they typically do not require subscription fees or eat up a lot of time. It is partly for these reasons why many people switched and continue switching to online browser games.

In the era of Facebook and MySpace we have literally zillions of different games. For example, let us take a closer look at the case Farmville, which was a real hit on Facebook a while ago. When compared to modern computer games, this game is extremely plain and simple (especially in graphics), but people still love it. In 2010 Farmville boasted 50 millions users per month. It was because of its enormous success that game developers started to take social networking as a serious marketing possibility, as the games on social networking sites generated much larger revenue than traditional games. Sharing a browser game o Facebook is simply a great way to make it popular and profitable.

Many of big game corporations like EA started to release new online browser games as well as browser versions of the already known and acknowledged titles. This indicates that game developers are fully aware of the benefits and the income that browser games can bring. Quite soon we might be able to play even more advanced games that will bring closer an even greater number of players. At the moment the foreseeable future of browser gaming seems bright. The predictions for the market are probably going to stay this optimistic as long as the Internet manages to keep the first place as the fastest growing medium, and IT stays at the forefront of quickly developing industries. Browser games offer an almost infinite scope for creativity: they can be simple and complex, 2d and 3d, single and multi player. There are no limits with regard to genre - while skill games are probably the most popular, successful adventure or RPG games are being developed as well.

Will traditional, offline computer games be replaced by online browser games? At the time being it is still hard to say. With the advance in graphics and engine design, browser games definitely do pose a threat to the traditional game retailers. It might be compared to the dawn of mp3 era when everybody in the music industry was shaking in their shoes about the future pf traditional music retail. Yes, album sales did drop, but on the flip side, artists started coming up with new ways of reaching their fans. When the dust settled, it showed that the new technology was nothing to be feared. Same with gaming: competition will simply inspire development.