Playing Risk online is quite a different experience than what many people are used to. Risk fans often grow up playing with their friends and family around the dining room table, where conversation is encouraged. However the online experience can offer many rewards and an enjoyable game, but there are a few precautions.
1. There are numerous places to play Risk online, some of them offer a rich experience, but many are poorly designed and not worth the time it takes to get started. You can find reviews and ratings to most of the Risk playing sites at Play Risk Online. Keep in mind, each site has different benefits which are suited to different types of players.
2. While playing online, there is a great chance that you will never see your opponent in real life or even online again. This can lead to some abusive behavior, especially if the game does not go one players way. Try to ignore or disregard rude remarks and if possible, leave feed back or ban that player from playing with you again.
3. Diplomacy is a huge part of table-top Risk. Negotiating, or strong arming your friends is a key to success. In online Risk, diplomacy isn’t as important since some sites lack the ability to communicate with other players. Also it is much easier to break a diplomatic agreement with your friends than it is with a stranger online. Try not to rely on diplomatic agreements unless they can be enforced
4. Traditional games of Risk would last hours, often well into the night. This is certainly not possible for many people which is why they turn to playing online. Most sites have a system where a player takes one turn, then another player has 12-24 hours to take their turn etc. This can lead to a player taking only 1 turn per day, or ever 2-3 turns per week. While this may seem agonizingly slow, players often have more than one game going at once, and turns can be taking in a few minutes over morning coffee. Some sites offer real time play, but be prepared to reserve a chunk of time if you need it.
5. Playing Risk online will often lead to a broader strategy gaming experience as many sites have new maps and features that do not exist with the table top version. It is often best to get comfortable with the classic game board and default rules before engaging with some of the new and innovative features. Keep in mind that many players have mastered some of the expert features and playing against a new player with little to no experience will almost certainly result in a loss.
Playing Risk online can be quite fun and a good extension for adults who loved the game when they were younger but are too busy to sit down for hours a night. Follow the 5 rules above and you will be having a great and rewarding experience in no time.
