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Even as the economy takes a tumble, the popularity of online games is on the rise. Online game properties continue to see positive growth as Americans turn to ad-supported games as a form of affordable escapism.

Nearly 86-million Americans visited online game sites in December 2008, a 27 percent increase over the previous year, reports comScore, Inc., a leader in measuring the digital world. While these numbers are astonishing on their own, comScore also reports that the total time spent playing online games increased by 42 percent.

This means more people are playing online games and they’re playing for much longer periods of time. In fact, a survey conducted by Slingo Inc., a thought-leader in the casual games industry, reveals that nearly half of all visitors to the Slingo.com portal play casual games seven days per week.

What does this mean for advertisers? In spite of the recession, online game sites are among the stickiest entertainment sites on the Web. By tapping into this highly engaged audience, advertisers can connect with consumers more easily than in other advertising platforms where the message is often tuned out.

Affordable, Escapist Fun

So why are online games more appealing than ever during an economic downturn? In part, it’s because many people enjoy online games as an escape from the pressures they may experience at work or in the home.

“By concentrating and focusing on the game, a person can take a ‘mental vacation’ from whatever it is at the moment that is causing stress in his or her life,” says Dr. Carl Arinoldo, a stress and relaxation psychologist, in an interview with the Long Island Exchange. “And, given the engrossing quality of these games, the concentration and focusing are quite easy to accomplish and stick with!” Despite the influx of bad economic news, online games continue to serve as digital stress busters.

In addition, as people feel the financial crunch and being to tighten their purse strings, the entertainment budget is among the first things to go. “Not only have consumers turned to outlets such as gaming to take their minds off the economy, but as they curtail their discretionary gaming-related purchases they are turning to free alternatives,” said Edward Hunter, comScore director of gaming solutions, regarding the usage of free online game sites. Since most ad-supported online games are free to play, people can have guilt-free fun in the comfort of their own homes.

Economic Bright-Spot

While the economic picture for most industries is grim leading into 2009, the outlook is bright for the online gaming industry which continues to benefit from growth in its display advertising business model. More than 8.6-billion display ads were placed on online game portals in November 2008, reports comScore, for a 29 percent increase over the previous year. Combined with the surge in the number of people visiting online gaming sites and the increased time spent playing online games, this has resulted in a 30 percent increase in the number of unique display ad exposures.

While the average person’s frequency of exposure to display ads remained constant, the number of display ads per page view dropped by 17 percent versus the previous year. This means that visitors to online game sites were exposed to approximately the same number of ads as before, but there was less ad clutter so each message had greater impact.

Additionally, the model of combining video ad content with casual game content promises to leverage the true value of casual games: user engagement. People are more willing to watch video ads that run before a game starts or between game levels, as opposed to video ads that appear in front of other video content. With online games, the payoff is big enough that viewers are willing to wait and, more importantly, to watch. In fact, according to leading online video advertising network SpotXchange, in February 2008, over 90% of the InGame video advertisements they served were watched in full. This level of engagement means the effectiveness of the video ad goes through the roof.

As greater numbers of people flock to their favorite ad-supported online games for budget-friendly entertainment, more advertisers are seeking the opportunity to reach this highly engaged audience. The increased revenue from display and video ads enables the online game portals to reduce ad clutter, providing a better visitor experience and offering advertisers a greater ROI. In the end, it’s a win-win-win situation for the advertisers, the game players, and the online game portals.

About Slingo

This article is provided by Slingo.com, a leading online destination for people who love to play games, win prizes and have fun. In fact, 1 out of every 20 people in the U.S. has played Slingo online. The Slingo website offers free, original online games, downloadable games, and contests with cash prizes, as well as a social-networking community for game players. For more information, please visit http://www.slingo.com/.

Naruto has there newest volume comic book out Vol.44 senjutsu Heir. You can buy this manga volume at your near by book store. If that is not possible then you can even buy it online. if you want anime info on this anime like if your new to this manga/anime

go to Naruto Shippuden`s official U.S Site. you can even go to BizRate – Shop online for Books, if that doesn`t work out for you go to eBay and get your self a cheap one for like only 10m bucks, anyways there are tons of ways to get this brand new naruto manga comic book(trust me you want it).

This comic book for naruto was a great catch for any animelover, like me and you. I would totally, with out a thought in my mind would recommend this comic book for all those killer animelover fans out there and also, for all the people, who go crazy for the manga/anime naruto. This comic manga book is to die for (again trust me).The plot is mostly around jiraiya how he was hiding this important fact from naruto that he even needs to keep it in code.

This comic was so amazing that I had to read it for a second time, well I’m on my third, (trust me).For people who need the rating here it is “Rated “T” for “Teen”.Naruto, Vol. 44 (entitled Senjutsu Heir) begins with a major of one of  the aftermath~s in the plot.I would tell you more about it but I am not going to spoile it for you guys and girls out there.Anyways,  the plot of this comic book really brings out the plot of the whole anime/manga if you ask me.

On top of that, its really cool on how This great volume includes a set of four exclusive stickers.(they are cool trust me, there better then the other ones.)If i had to grade this or score it like, one thought ten.There is no way it wouldn`t be a ten.If you trust me, or if your getting eceited about this book then go get a copy now. (Naruto, Volume. 44 “entitled Senjutsu Heir”)

Now you mite be saying what are some of the let down`s,well the thing about this massive comic book,here`s the truth,(really haven`t i been talking only about the truth anyways i keep getting of track here.)that there is no real Let Down, to me this book really said something to me.Now, on the other hand it might not be the same for you.Let me explain, to some people it might be amazing but to others it might be a waste of money.In the end the choice you make is completely your choice.To me this was a great comic book so think about.

Do you remember how in the 90’s gamers used to play these ultimate classic video game machines found in the arcade?  Just to play Pacman or any other classic arcade games, we would have gone to an arcade. Fast forward to the present, these video game machines are more high-end and various games are developed in 3d animation. There are lots of flash online arcade games being developed and these can be played at the comfort of your own home using your personal computer or laptop. You can still reminisce some old arcade games or discover and play new ones that might interest you.

When I started playing Alien Prison Break, I though it was just an easy arcade game. However, as you progress to the next levels, the obstacles become more complicated. Basically, the objective of the game is to break the walls and jump over obstacles like spikes underneath and above you. You have your own hammer to swing and blow the dynamite and gain extra 500 points. You can pick up health power ups to get more health and also gain some extra bonus points. The game play is actually quite simple to learn, audio and graphics also good. You can get the hang of playing the game after a few minutes, but you need to have a fast coordination skill to make sure you avoid hitting those spikes or bumping into a wall. I suggest that if you are having a bad day and you want to release steam, imagine yourself just smashing and breaking down these brick walls for real by playing this game, and you will feel better.

I recently discovered another arcade game titled Marble City. Does it have something to do with marbles? Definitely it is all about marbles, as you play the role of the main hero to rescue your princess marble, you need to defeat the evil minion marbles. You as Bob, a multicolored marble, collect coins to increase your score. You also have a handheld gun to shoot multicolored darts thereby increasing your score, and this can be used to shoot your enemy marbles. In every level, you need to free the princess marble captured in chains as this also increases your points. There are lots of deadly objects in every level so you have to stay clear of these by jumping or you may find yourself shattered. If you find yourself trapped in a place, you can even shoot an explosive barrel if you need something destroyed. You can also pass through colored walls by activating colored switches. Oh and another thing, there are even portals for Bob the marble to pass through for short distance or long distance portals. I think this arcade game is unique as the challenges in every level are not repetitive. This game is something interesting and can make you come back to play for more as there are codes which you can use to save your progress in the game.

It may not be the holidays yet, but if you feel you want to relish the holiday spirit, you can play Shopping Mania. It is one of the simplest arcade games I played, but I loved the joyous background holiday music and the cute little elf running around. Your main objective is to gather all of the gifts scattered throughout the mall, but at the same time avoid being hit by busy shoppers or else you drop some of your gifts. The game becomes harder once you progress to the next level as there are more shoppers walking around, more stalls inside the mall, and more scattered gifts for the little elf to pick up. If you want to just sit back and relax just playing an arcade game using one hand and using your mouse, then this is for you.

Whatever flash online arcade game you choose to play is entirely up to you. If you feel that you want to play more arcade games, there are hundreds of variations of flash online arcade games that you can choose from Rival Saga Mini Games website. After all, these flash games are free and updated daily, so you can have a look at what suits you most.