Games

If you enjoy crosswords and puzzles, or have a Play Station, Xbox or Wii at home, it's likely that you will enjoy playing games on your computer.

Before you can play some games on your computer, you may be required to install additional software (or plugins) in order to display the graphics and video and hear the audio output.

On your computer

Most PCs and laptops come with a few games already installed, such as Solitaire, Minesweeper, Pinball etc.

To find these games on your computer, simply click on the Start button in the bottom left of your screen, select All Programs and you should find Games listed.

Another option is to buy PC games from a retailer such as PC World or WH Smith. These are usually supplied on a disc, which you insert in your disc drive and follow the on screen instructions to load and play the games.

Gaming websites

If you want a bigger choice and variety of games, then gaming websites are a good bet.

Many 1,000s of games are available on websites, with games being presented in several genres, some popular examples of which include: adventure, card, board, logic, mahjong, puzzle, strategy and word.

Games will either be free, available for a limited time (on a trial basis) or will require payment.  Where games are free, you may find that there is a lot of advertising on the site, because the revenue from the advertising allows the website to provide the games for nothing.

Download

If you are downloading games from a website to your computer

• make sure the website is reputable - beware of viruses
• check you've got enough memory on your computer for the game and any other software you may need to install to be able to play it.

You will also find that some games are suitable to download to your phone or ipod - check information on the website if you are unsure.

Here are some gaming websites for you to try:

• http://www.bigfishgames.com/*
• http://www.popcap.com/*
• http://www.dailygames.com/*

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

Online

Playing games on the Internet through a web browser has its advantages:

• it does not use as much memory on your computer

• you can play in 'live" games against other people who are also on the Internet.

For some popular online games you may be required to agree and comply with certain social rules in an End User License Agreement (EULA). The consequences of breaking the agreement vary according to the contract and range significantly from warnings to termination of the game itself.