Gekkeiju
'MMORPGs are games that can be played online with people around the world.

Online games are all well and good, but it can get a bit lonely playing all on your own. Multiplayer online games and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are games that can be played online with people around the world.

Here are ten online multiplayer games – most of these will ask to you log in and some will require you to download a game playing client and/or create a profile, though some will allow you to play as a guest.

Small but important print: All games are free downloads or free to view online, and need the minimum of equipment. Some games require your browser to have a 'plug in' for Shockwave, Flash or Java.

To play a game, simply click on its name. If you are a parent, we advise you to try the game and the site it's on first before letting your kids play them, to make sure you're happy.

When downloading games from the Internet, don't forget to keep your anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date.

• Curling

To play curling (sometimes described as housework on ice), move the mouse to change the direction, click and hold to increase power, and then let go.

The aim is to get your stone closest to the centre of the target or house (and to knock anyone else’s out of the way – but not until each player has played two stones).

Sweeping makes the stone travel further and straighter. Click on a pairing and then click watch to see someone else play, challenge someone in the bottom right hand area by clicking on them, or wait to be challenged.

• Four in a Row

The aim is to get four in a row – horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The game is dead easy to learn, but can be very challenging and frustrating!

Click on a pairing and then click watch to see someone else play, challenge someone in the bottom right hand area by clicking on them, or wait to be challenged.

• Virtonomics

Virtonomics is a business economics game. The aim is to set up a company and make it successful, using trade, production, marketing and research, and exploiting agriculture, technologies and mining – and don’t forget the logistics, HR and finance.

Log in using MySpace, Facebook or Twitter, or create a Virtonomics login, read up about the game, click on ‘My business’, select a game world, and click ‘get started’. Enjoy your introduction to business!

• Brainwave

Join a room and play against other room members. Play Matchmaker (match tiles to create five words); Filler (create words by filling in the spaces); Coiner (combine the letters to create five words); Grid (make five words by moving from letter to letter); and Chunky (type five words including the given chunk of letters).

• Gekkeiju Online

Gekkeiju Online is an online fantasy game set in a medieval world, including humans, elves, halflings, half-giants, dwarves, wild elves, dark elves, goblins and catfolk.

Start by creating an account, and then download and install the game client – warning, this is over 200 MB. Read up the storyline, create your character and take your first steps.

• Anagram Magic

Click play to be allocated an opponent, and then pick consonants or vowels, or get nine random letters.

Drag the letters to make the longest word you can, and try to beat your opponent. The last round is finding the nine-letter anagram.

• Domain of Heroes

Domain of Heroes is a text based fantasy game – chose a race, join a faction and play solo or join a guild.

Register and create your character, and then look around, talk to non-playing characters to get your quest, and then set off, fighting battles and collecting treasure on the way. The Quickstart guide will help you begin

• WonderKing

In WonderKing you explore the world, combat monsters (alone or with other characters) and complete quests. Register and download the game client (it’s a big one again), then read the introduction and beginner’s guide, create your character and head off on your mission.

• Freeciv.net

Freeciv is an open-source turn-based strategy game – your goal is to build cities, collect resources, organize your government, and build an army, with the ultimate goal of creating the best empire.

You can play as a single player or play the multiplayer game. If you create an OpenID you can save games. It looks fantastic – I just couldn’t get my head round it. Have a go!

• Draw My Thing

Find an open game to join. You get given a word to draw and other players have to guess what it is. It’s as easy as that.

And as an extra – look out for Glitch coming in 2011 – a (mostly) non-violent collaborative game.

Suzanne Elvidge is a freelance writer and Surefish Ethical Living Editor