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Most of us can’t remember how long board games have been a part of human culture. One could say that board games date back to the time when human beings began to communicate with each other, an evolved hand in hand with communication practices as man learned better and more efficient ways to communicate. Board games also represent a milestone in the history of man, as a non-violent form of competition. In the earlier days most forms of competition involved violent themes, and probably death for the loser. Although board games made way for another type of vice, called gambling, losers may have walked away broke, but kept their head in their shoulders.

We cannot deny the early existence of non-violent games in the history of human civilization. Evidence of inscriptions found by archeologists resembles what seem to be instructions on how to play these games. Although our early ancestors lacked the knowledge and technology we enjoy today, they were not illiterate. Some rudimentary form of communication has been part of civilization as far back as the Sumerians, and the dwellers of Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The existence of communication allowed them to inscribe rules for their games, which we are only starting to discover today.

The “Senet”, or translated from Egyptian “the passing game’, is the oldest recorded board game in history, dating as far back as 3500 years B.C. Evidence on the existence of this game have been found in pre-dynasty periods, as well as part of the artifacts put inside burial chambers. This game seems to have become quite popular during the period of Egyptian Pharaohs, between 3,000 and 1,050 B.C. Egyptian superstition attributed the ability to play this board game to being favored by the gods. Additionally, the game seems to have had some kind of purpose in the afterlife, since it became customary for rulers and influential people to be buried with them.

Another early example of a board game is “To Go”, available in Chine around 548 B.C. Legend has it that Emperor Yao was a one of the people responsible for the development of this board game. As the legend goes, his motivation for the game was his son. There are also stories that mention this game as being used as a fortune telling device. Used by warlords in China, they would use this game as a tool to recommend their army formation before an attack. As with most board games in the early ages, this game was only meant for the rich. After becoming popular in china, the game spread to Korea and Japan in the period following the next five centuries.

As “The Senet” evolved over the years, it turned out to be the Backgammon we know today. It was refurbished by Ludus Duodecim Scriptorum to have two rows with twelve points each. Around the year 600 A.D., it’s name was changed to Alea, which became increasingly popular during the Middle Ages. It was also known as “Tabula”, which translated into modern day English means “board game”.

These are just a few examples, which we are now able to confirm through archeologists documentation. It should not come as a surprise for other games, or variations of the ones already discovered to be revealed. However, we learn more about ourselves and our culture when we trace back the origins of one of our most basic entertainment forms.

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The development of new technology like broadband internet connections has made way for board games to have a counterpart online. It is not hard to find several versions of your favorite board game available online. One added feature which becomes quite handy in rainy days is the ability to play either against another human player, or by yourself against the computer. Although a number of people still prefer the old fashioned board with pieces they can put their hand on, a growing majority is receiving the online versions with open arms.

In the old days, people had to be gathered in order to obtain the quorum necessary to play a game. The playing media, consisting of a board, was placed in the dinner table where everyone gathered around. As opposed to playing board games online, where you never get to see or feel your opponent, in fact he need not be in the same house or country you are in order for you to play with him. The only chance you have of interacting with some of the players would be if the website featuring the board game has a built in chat room where, if the player so wishes, he may enter and post a few comments.

Another factors that sets online board games apart from your traditional game, is the amount of detail and complexity that can be added to any given game. The online versions of Chess, Backgammon, Monopoly, Scrabble, and other titles can render a difficulty level which can match even the best players in the world.

There are some examples of board games, like “Snakes and Ladders”, which do not require a great amount of skill. A roll of the dice determines the development of the game. Entertainment per se, is delivered through the design of the board, which is especially fun for young children.

An increasing number of websites offer board games free online. This offer makes it even more appealing for board game enthusiasts to join to online craze. Board game titles are available free at your convenience. Some sites feature championships and high score tables, where players meet and compete against each other.

Moreover, some versions of these games are available for download, free as well. These are mostly trial versions, which may contain a large part of the full version. Although, they often have restrictions in the download version hoping the player will decide to purchase the full version in the future. It is part of a sales pitch by part of the software companies to show off their products hoping to increase sales.

Many popular titles, like Mahjong, Chess and Checkers have an online counterpart you can play free. No need to have people over in order to play, since you can engage a game online with your friends, or at home by yourself. The older generation shows more resentment towards online board games, since they grew up with the physical board. Many young children of the new generation will probably never see a board and play all their games online.

Enjoy all your favorite board games online. Play board games titles that have survived generations like chess and other free board games at Boardgames123.comArticle Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/board-games-have-left-the-dinner-table-1599625.html

Amongst all the exotic names of strikers linked with Manchester City over the past few months, one of Mark Hughes’ most astute pieces of transfer business might actually turn out to be Gareth Barry – a player some fans still mistakenly think of as a ‘journeyman’ footballer.

In fact, Gareth Barry could well fall into that category of players that supporters don’t fully appreciate until he suddenly isn’t playing; someone who simply gets on with the important business in midfield and chips in with the occasional goal or two.

He’s certainly come a long way since his controversial move as a young trainee from Brighton and Hove Albion to Aston Villa in 1997. At that stage of his career, Gareth Barry was considered primarily to be a centre back, initially playing for Villa in a back three with Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu. His form was so consistent that, in 2000, he earned a call-up to the England squad and, for a while, the conjecture was that he would become the regular left back or left sided central defender. After 2003, though, he fell out of the squad altogether for four years.

During this time, Gareth, surprisingly to some, moved into midfield. However, his touch on the ball and mobility soon began to show, in addition to his excellent reading of the game, and he quickly developed into the role – becoming so much more than simply a defensive ‘minder’ for more creative midfielders. His success in the central midfield position brought him back into the England squad and also attracted the attention of Liverpool, who were very keen to sign him in the summer of 2008.

Gareth first played central midfield for England in September, 2007 against Israel and, by having two assists to his name in that match, he soon established himself as a regular in the team, combining well with both Steve Gerrard and Frank Lampard. At the time of writing, he has won 34 international caps in total, scoring twice in the process.

Despite playing in 441 games for Aston Villa and scoring 52 goals, Barry’s departure from the club wasn’t without problems. After nearly leaving for Liverpool the previous year, some of the fans had remained critical of the player’s attitude during the season and, when he left for Manchester City this summer, the accusation of going only to enhance his bank balance was a common one. Gareth Barry himself, though, always maintained that the move was for footballing reasons and for the challenge of becoming a part of the ‘new era’ at the Eastlands Stadium.

Certainly it’s clear to see why Mark Hughes would want to sign Gareth Barry. Here is a player still only 28 years old but with enormous experience who is going to help gel the team together and set a fine example, both on and off the pitch. He is the kind of player you want on your team for an away fixture on a wet and windy Tuesday evening in October as well as in those tight Champions’ League games they hope to be playing in soon.

Written by Steven Yates. If you want tickets for Manchester City fixtures visit our website. As well as Man City you’ll find Premier League tickets for all the top clubs. This article may be reproduced in full providing that the author is acknowledged and the links in the resource box remain intact.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/footballer-profile-gareth-barry-1599882.html