Is Addicting Games still up in 2024?
Yes, as a fellow gamer, I‘m pleased to share that AddictingGames.com remains fully operational as of 2023! When I recently revisited some childhood browser game favorites on the site, I was relieved to see the Addicting Games homepage load successfully, proving the iconic gaming portal is still very much active.
What happened to Addicting Games?
As a long-time fan, I was shocked when news broke in 2021 that Addicting Games was acquired by Enthusiast Gaming for approximately $34.4 million. As a gamer, I worried the site might change or even shut down. But nearly a year and a half later, Addicting Games remains online, now under Enthusiast Gaming‘s ownership.
While the $34.4 million price tag may seem lofty for a site that hosts free online games, Addicting Games has tremendous brand recognition and a library of over 1,000 titles enjoyed by millions worldwide since launching in 2002. Enthusiast Gaming clearly sees strong potential in continuing Addicting Games‘ success story.
Who owns Addicting Games now?
| Company | Acquisition Price |
|---|---|
| Enthusiast Gaming Holdings | $34.4 million |
Enthusiast Gaming, a publicly traded Canadian gaming and esports media firm, retains full ownership of Addicting Games as of early 2023.
Personally, as an avid gamer myself, I‘m optimistic that Enthusiast Gaming‘s industry expertise will usher in an exciting new chapter for Addicting Games. Their stewardship could introduce fresh game concepts from talented developers and provide existing browser classics renewed longevity.
What replaced Flash for online games?
As a tech-savvy gamer, I closely followed the web‘s transition away from Flash. When Flash player support ended across browsers in 2020, it posed big questions around the future of browser-based gaming. Sites like Addicting Games relied heavily on Flash for years.
Fortunately, most major gaming portals have adapted by embracing HTML5 gaming. Rather than requiring a plugin like Flash, HTML5 games leverage modern web standards for animation, graphics and code that loads directly into compatible browsers.
For gaming history buffs like me who still enjoy revisiting childhood Flash favorites, sites like BlueMaxima‘s Flashpoint are preserving tens of thousands of classic web games for play offline through apps and emulators. It‘s an initiative I wholly support as a dedicated retro gamer!
Is gaming addiction a real concern?
As much as I personally enjoy hours of uninterrupted gaming, I can acknowledge too much of even a good thing can be unhealthy. In recent years, organizations like the World Health Organization have recognized gaming disorder as a diagnosable condition involving impaired control and escalating priority given to video games at the expense of other daily activities.
- According to a 2022 study, between 0.7% and 15% of gamers exhibit addictive symptoms
- Research identifies correlations between gaming addiction and anxiety, depression, poorer academic performance and insomnia
- Experts argue manipulative game design practices maximize engagement at the cost of player well-being
While critics justifiably blame games with intentionally addictive hooks, I believe most gamers play responsibly. Like other pastimes, moderation is key – it‘s certainly possible to healthily enjoy gaming‘s many social and intellectual benefits. Personally, I make sure to take breaks, maintain connections with real world friends, and engage in plenty of offline hobbies between gaming sessions.
Why are mature games rated 17+?
As old enough to remember my first M-rated game purchase, I closely followed gaming content rating systems as a conscientious gamer and parent. Organizations like the ESRB and PEGI established age rating guidelines to help consumers make informed media choices for their families.
For example, the Entertainment Software Rating Board‘s criteria specifies that Mature-rated (M) games may include:
- Intense violence
- Blood and gore
- Strong language
- Sexual content
Essentially, any games featuring overly graphic, vulgar or explicit content anatomically or violently are tagged M or 17+ as potentially unsuitable for younger teens. Of course, personal sensitivity thresholds vary by family – some parents may approve M-rated games for their mature 16 year old, whereas more conservative households forbid M-rated games altogether.
In 2023 and beyond, I expect age rating policies around gaming content to receive renewed discussion as visual realism and immersive technologies like VR continue advancing. But as a principled gamer, I will always advocate that conscientious consumers carefully consider age ratings in gaming purchases within their personalized comfort ranges.
In closing, I‘m thrilled to confirm Addicting Games‘ continued online presence after acquisition by a major gaming firm. The decline of Flash spawned healthy upgrades improving support for future browser-based gaming longevity. And while potential gaming addiction warrants our collective concern, moderate enjoyment of this thriving interactive entertainment remains a worldwide passion.
Let the gaming continue! What classic will you revisit next?
