Web based game development

Action: like Tetris or a space shooter
Flash - for simple, 'Play N Go', games. (Cheat-able)
Shockwave -
Java -

Managing: like Neopets, or Hattrick.org

I guess I should have stated that I was thinking along the lines of a multi player game where they would be able to come and go as they please joining a game already in session if one was already going. More strategy based then action in that their wouldn't be a lot of graphical intense things going on.

PHP works pretty well. The web is saturated with code samples and tutorials, it interfaces easily with databases. A lot of browser-based games rely on a mixture of PHP with &#106avascript to fine tune the interface.<br><br>If it's "real-time" though, PHP isn't really the best choice, and things get more complicated.

what would you recommend for real time? &#106avascript?

If you're looking realtime, &#106avascript and Flash are the most common. &#106avascript games are free to create (text editor and browser), whereas you'll have to have access to Flash to use it, which unless your school/company/whatever has a site license, you'll need to buy it.