Police games are one of the oldest games in the world. Whether it's the old fashion game of cops and robbers or video games that feature cops, policemen have always captivated the imaginations of young people. In most types of medium, police officers can either be portrayed as defenders of the law, protectors of the innocent, or in some cases as lonely anti-heroes with a strong personal will.
Regardless of how police officers are portrayed one thing is certain, they are seen as action heroes and this is one of the reasons why they are so popular among children. Kids love to pretend that they live in an exciting and adrenaline fueled world. This is particularly true with regards to video games which allow players to actually project themselves into the role of the police protagonist.
Why Are Police Video Games Popular?
It's really all about presentation. In some games such as the Grand Theft Auto and Need for Speed series, the police are portrayed as the bad guys. They are the characters that the player needs to overcome if they want to win the game. On the other hand, there are also games which present the police in a positive light. A couple of good examples are the "Max Payne" and "True Crime" series developed by "Rockstar Games". In these games, the players takes on the role of police officers who are in a desperate battle against complex plots and criminal mobs. Other choices include shooting games like the popular Guns in the City.
The attraction of these kinds of games should be obvious. They offer a setting where fist fights, gun fights and car chases are plausible and normative. Police officers, provided they are presented intriguing and appealing way, offer players the chance to interact with a challenging and complex setting. It is the logical outcome of "cops and robbers." Beneath the appeal and popularity of police stories and police games, is the desire of the audience to be heroic by upholding the law.
The Popularity of Police Flash Games
Police officers have been featured in video games since the 80's, and they're not likely to go away in the foreseeable future. However, given the changing medium of video games, it's also important to consider how police games will be presented to their target audience in the coming years. Take flash games for example. If you were to go on the internet, you will find plenty of flash games that feature protagonists who are police officers. One reason why such games have become popular is that flash games have several advantages over conventional gaming consoles:
- They're easy to create.
- Many of them are fun to play.
- These games are usually free.
- Many Genre's of games can be found all over the internet easily.
- Flash games are more about talent than technology.
Given all these factors, one can easily see why flash games have become so popular and common on the internet. In a way, one can even say that flash games are an attempt at simplifying video game development.
With regards to police flash games, one needs to understand the basic mechanics behind the genre. It involves shoot outs, car chases or fist fights. In some cases, you can even find flash games where the players takes on various roles. Although flash games aren't as visually impressive as console games, they do have their niche. Fast and simple entertainment is what most flash games are about, and this also applies to police games online. The simplicity of flash means that it offers better game play and mechanics than console games do. This is one of the reasons why police flash games have become so popular lately.