Computer games ate my brain

It's rare to watch television without seeing an advertisement for Game Tap anymore. For a monthly fee, subscribers can access the hundreds of classic games stored within Game Tap's "game vault." It's a service honed for casual computer gamers who don't have the time or inclination to obtain software by way of emulator programs or tedious Internet searches. Still, for all of Game Tap's target demographic, there are plenty of free alternatives for online entertainment.\nGoogling "free games" and playing puzzle games on Yahoo! are not your only options. Web sites like www.newgrounds.com and www.homestarrunner.com are overflowing with games, toons and study-inhibiting miscellanea.\nThe corporate world has likewise become savvy to the idea of luring consumers to its sites with offers of free games. Adult Swim (www.adultswim.com) is the obvious choice, offering all sorts of entertaining games based on its late-night cartoons. Even Trojan condoms (www.trojancondoms.com) has gotten in on the action. The story behind its game, "How Far Would You Go?" is that "Neelam and Shalia had a huge fight over who was more responsible. Now they won't speak to each other until the other proves that they understand the importance of risk reduction." They're going to be responsible condom users or die trying as they navigate three levels of "deadly danger," in which they must collect condoms while avoiding obstacles, like coconuts and squirting fish. \nTwo decades ago, Cinemaware (www.cinemaware.com) was a giant in the game-making field. Though the company went out of business in 1991, it has since been resurrected. The Web site now offers a free online version of its classic Defender of the Crown. Even better, the site's "vault" section offers free downloadable versions of its vintage games, as well as links to the software necessary for adapting them to modern computers.\nLast, but certainly not least, there's Urban Dead (www.urbandead.com). According to the Web site, "Urban Dead is a browser-based, grid-mapped, free-to-play multi-player game where you play the survivor or victim of a zombie outbreak in a quarantined city centre." It's no World of Warcraft. The simplistic graphics are reminiscent of the days of 2,400 baud dial-up modems and online bulletin board services, but the uncomplicated appeal remains undeniable.