Not long ago, on October 22-24, Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, saw a large crowd of people, all smiling and playing yo-yos. Adult and respectably looking, they were discussing games, even online games, and seemed to be completely happy with their pastime. What was it? - you will ask. Nothing extraordinary, just the next conference of the Casual Games Association - Casual Connect Kyiv 2008, one of three largest forums of the casual games industry. Want to know more?

Here it comes, the scariest night in the whole year! Ghosts, banshees, witches and pumpkins reign - it's their night! I guess many of you have already prepared for the party and got your costume trimmed. But as a last minute stroke for your holiday, let me make a survey of spooky and scary games offered to us by game developers these days, as there is quite a selection and you will surely find something to your liking.

Though some of you might be glad of the fact, I think most of us wish that one more summer hadn't passed away. Autumn has claimed its rights and all we can do now is reminisce about the great moments of the hottest season. The summer was hot for game developers also, and today I would like to remind you of the best releases that appeared at the largest game portals in the last three months in case you missed some awesome games.

Summer is close to its end, and I guess most of you have already managed to get their portion of sun, sea and rest. If not, I'm sure everything is ahead. But game developers didn't have their vacations and continued pleasing us with new great titles to enjoy. Some of them are directly related to summer and all the amazing possibilities it gives us. These games are a perfect chance to have a part of this terrific time in your computer and be able to plunge into the atmosphere any time you wish.

People have been playing games for thousands years. Chess and checkers can boast a history not much shorter than the history of mankind itself. Even a hundred years ago people had no choice - they could play board games only on their tables. Nowadays you have such a choice - many of your favorite board games have been recently released in PC versions. So, which do you prefer - real people or computer competitors?

While lots of time-management and hidden object games have overflooded the casual games market, the choice becomes harder and harder for customers. If 5 hidden objects with fairly similar game play are released within three days, which to choose? The competition becomes more and more tough, and game developers have to invent more and more exquisite ways to distinguish their products among hosts of others. One of the most popular tools is the game story. The recipe is simple - wrap your game into an attractive and preferably mysterious story, add some atmosphere and environment, stir a bit, shake and serve!