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Internet games (also known as online games) are games that are played online via the Internet. They are distinct from video and computer games in that they are normally platform independent, relying solely on client-side technologies (normally called 'plugins'). Normally all that is required to play Internet games are a web browser and the appropriate plugin (normally available for free via the plugin maker's website). A game played in a browser is often called a browser-based game.
There are many different plugins used to play online games. Some of these are the Java virtual machine, Shockwave, Flash and others. Some are implemented via a technology called JavaScript. There are specialised tools used to create games employing these technologies. Games that require plugins are usually based on the client-side; that is, much of the processing is done by the player's computer instead of the server hosting the game.
However, there are also server-side games which do not require plugins and process the data on the game server instead of the player's computer. These games are typically not as visually appealing as client-side based games, but make up for that in advanced functionality, particularly because it is easier to implement multiplayer capabilities. BattleMaster is an example server-side game.
Hybrids of server- and client-side games also exist.
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