Games

It’s all about being ‘multi-channel’ these days. Authors and publishers look to ‘productise’ (yes, a real word) their content/IPR (intellectual property rights) in as many ways and formats as possible, as diversification can be cheap and realises significantly increased profits. So, these days, authors need to guard the different types of rights to their stories and characters to the max: film rights, game rights, tv rights, merchandising rights, comic book rights, e-book rights (flaming Google!), syndication rights, image rights, naming rights, spin-off novel rights,  and so forth.

So, you might be wondering: where’s Necromancer’s Gambit the Game then? It hasn’t been made yet, I’m afraid. If anyone out there would like to do so, just drop me a line and we can talk about whether I let you have the gaming rights for free. In the meantime, here are the free online fantasy games I like to play. Enjoy!

1. Spiderman City Raid. So addictive! You play a floppy Spiderman who has to make his way along a landscape by shooting his web and jumping from object to object. Great little game. http://www.play181.com/games/3482/spiderman-city-raid.html 

2. Dragon Slayer 2. A nice little arcade game in which you protect your castle against incoming dragons. You earn gold and food in each level that you then spend tactically to build your defence. Simple game play and clear menus make it a gem. http://www.addictinggames.com/dragonslayers2.html

3. Dragon’s Lair. A slightly silly flash version of the classic animated arcade game of the 80s. This version is just as difficult as the original so may frustrate some players, but it will definitely be appreciated by old-school gamers. http://www.studiohunty.com/dungeon/

4. Ever Quest. The biggest online fantasy game in the world (although World of Warcraft might argue). It’s quite reminiscent of Second Life – similar graphics and you have to choose an avatar of yourself before entering the dungeon. You need to work with other online gamers to complete some tasks in order to retrieve objects that you can then offer the trader to increase your armour and weapons. The dungeon level is free to play and gives you hours of good gaming. You have to download some software to play, which is annoying and it might slow your computer up, but it’s worth the effort. http://legendsofnorrath.station.sony.com/play4free.vm 

5. Adventure Quest. I love this game. It’s based on flash, but it really works. There are great adventures and sub-stories to pursue. It’s quick and easy to register and get started. No software to download. No computer compatability problems. You can play at least 30 levels for free. Well worth it for those who are not that familiar with online gaming.  http://www.battleon.com/ 

6. BiteFight. Strange but complusive realtime game this one. Quick, easy and free to register in order to start playing. You have to choose to be a vampire or werewolf, and then you start building your strength by collecting gold through fights or quests. Not that exciting sometimes (cos you send your character off to do something and have to wait 10mins for them to get back), but you can have the game running in the background while you’re doing something else. You can get up through the levels quickly, though, so it keeps you hooked. www.bitefight.org

7. The Last Stand. Great little arcade game in which you have to defend your barricade by shooting down a horde of oncoming zombies. Fast and frantic. And atmospheric too. http://www.zombiegames.us/zombie-games/play-the-last-stand

8. Doctor Who, The Adventure Games (BBC). Okay, you have to download a big bit of software (330MB), which might slow up your computer, but there’s no doubt that this 3D environment game in which you control the Doctor kicks most other games to the curb. http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/funandgames

9. E7. A strange but cute space game set on a morphing planet. Very original. http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/545788

10. Runescape. A highly entertaining 3D role-play gaming. A few seconds to register (for free), no software to download, great graphics and clear onscreen instructions for instant play. http://runescape.agame.com/