Online Role Playing Games

Introduction

A wide range of games comprises the Computer Role Playing Games (RPG). These
are types of games where you are tasked to build a hero or character. As the
game advances, the character then acquires experience which he or she will use
to become more powerful and obtain new abilities.

A broad genre under the video games category is electronic role playing games.
These games originally came from the traditional role playing games such as
Dungeons and Dragons. These utilize both the game mechanics and the settings
found in such games.

Online Role Playing Games are RPGs that allows players to interact with each
other in a virtual world. These interactions may be played either as a single
or multiplayer game. Other features of online role playing games are similar to
computer RPGs.

Characters

These types of games revolve on making or choosing around one or more avatars
and building its characteristics and experience as the game progresses. These
characteristics then represents the skills of the gamer himself and how he or
she determine game outcomes. Traditionally, a status screen is displayed to
represent the player's attributes. It makes use of numeric values rather than
meters, bars and other simpler abstract graphical representation video games in
general utilizes.

Settings

Another special feature of role playing games is its fictional high-fantasy
setting. Usually, these are derived from science fiction themes or space opera.
There are only a few that take place in modern or historical settings. However,
games such as Bloodlines ("gothic punk"), Arcanum (steampunk), Darklands (a
combination of medieval German legend and history), Fallout (post-apocalyptic),
and Mount and Blade (Medieval Europe with no magic or fantasy) are exceptions to
these trends.

Missions

A group of characters or a party, usually different players, join forces to
accomplish a "quest" or a mission. Challenges and enemies, usually inspired by
scienc e fiction, classical mythology, and more commonly, fantasy fictions, are
faced by the adventurers along the way.

Examples of challenges are defeating the evil boss, rescuing a princess, or
clearing a dungeon of monsters. To know and receive his quest, the player might
find it necessary to talk to an NPC. Missions may also include item fetch
quests, locational puzzles (such as opening locked doors by means of a hidden
lever or a key), or engaging in dialogues.

A number of games are made up of smaller quests in a predetermined sequence and
are played as a linear narrative. However, games such as Fallout, contain
nonlinear gameplay and multiple quest solutions through multiple endings and
branching plots. How the quests are approach varies on different character
builds. Methods such as violence, bribery, subterfuge, or diplomacy may be used
depending on the character divergent of its skill.

Developments

It is difficult to affirm definitely where this genre will be headed because of
it rapid development and the different numerous titles within the genre.
However, developments have been made. One of these improvements is the "raid",
or the raid group quest. Large groups of players (twenty or more) are able to
participate in the "raid".

Another online role playing game improvement is the use of instance dungeons
which keep the group isolated from the rest of the game world. This reduces the
amount of data that is sent to and from the servers, thus decrease lag. It also
lessens competition. Instance dungeons can be found on World of Warcraft
"raids" as well as all of the Guild Wars combat area.

Getting To Know Computer Role Playing Games

Overview

Online Role Playing Games, or sometimes refereed to as Computer Role Playing
Games, are a wide range of games that requires the player to build a hero or a
character based on his preferences and fancy. These are types of games where
one interacts with other players in the virtual world (usually in groups).

As the game advances, the player's character should be able to acquire
experience as he or she will be needing this in order to succeed with other
rounds or quests. The character must be able to become more powerful and should
be able to obtain new and advanced abilities.

Electronic role playing games is a broad genre under the video games category.
These were the early beginnings of inline role playing games. These games were
originally from Dungeons and Dragons, a traditional role playing game which had
been the basis for advance online role playing games nowadays. The game
mechanics and the settings of the games were formatted from this game.

Interactions in online role playing games are done in the virtual world using
the internet. These may be done individually (single player games) or with a
group of friends or team mates (multiplayer games). Computer role playing games
offer almost identical features with online role playing games.

Avatar

Online role playing games revolves on making or building your own character.
These characters are also called avatars. More often, players find it fun and
put effort in choosing their avatars. There are different abilities that your
avatar can excel on. However, the abilities and powers of the characters depend
on the progression of the game.

The characters represent the skills and abilities of the player himself. It
shows how he or she decide or control the game outcomes. A status screen
displays the attributes of the player and his character. It uses numerical
values instead of meters, bars, and other simple abstract graphical
representation that the usual video games utilize.

Fantasy Setting

A fictional and high fantasy setting is another feature of online role playing
games (and other RPGs in general). These settings come from science fiction or
space opera themes. However, some online RPGs also utilize historical settings
and backgrounds.

Exceptions to these trends are online role playing games such as Bloodlines
("gothic punk), Arcanum (steam punk), Darklands (a combination of medieval
German legend and history), Fallout (post-apocalyptic), and Mount and Blade
(Medieval Europe with no magic or fantasy).

Quests

Team members or a group of characters (usually called a party) join forces to
complete their missions (usually called "quest"). However, a single player may
also do this by himself with the help of other players. These quests are
usually fantasy fiction inspired. But classical mythology and science fictions
are also used as basis for the missions.

These missions comprise different adventures along the way. Some challenges are
defeating the evil boss, rescuing a princess, or clearing a dungeon of monsters.
Some games require the character to talk to a Non Player Character (NPC) to know
and receive his or her mission or quest.

Fetch quest, locational puzzles (such as opening locked doors by means of a
hidden lever or a key), or engaging in dialogues are some of the requirements
to proceed to the next level or challenge.

Majority of the online role playing games are played as a linear narrative.
Meaning, one plays the game in a predetermined sequence. They just have to
comply with the requirements for the next level to complete the entire mission.

Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games

The Online Role Playing Game

Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a computer
role-playing game where a large number of players meet and play with each other
in a virtual world. Richard Garriott coined the term MMORPG. He is the creator
of Ultima Online, the game which popularized MMORPG.

As in most role-playing games, players take roles in a fictional fantasy world.
In the virtual world, the player takes control of the character and his
abilities. In every game there are different characters with different traits
and abilities. Most MMORPG characters are categorized into melee, ranged, and
magic users. Players have the option to choose from these variety characters to
match their personality with the avatar. MMORPG's Difference From The Average
Computer Role Playing game

MMORPG can be distinguished from normal computer role-playing games by the
number of players and the virtual world where the game is situated. While
single-player computer role playing games is limited to one player, MMORPG can
host thousands of players at a time.

Another difference between the two is the world that surrounds the game.
Computer role-playing games are situated in a setting which is repetitive and
constant. Each time the player plays the game, the same event is repeated since
the game was programmed that way. On the other hand, the MMORPG's environment
continues to evolve whether the player is online or away from the game.

Cost of Online Role-Playing Games

Since MMORPG has become very popular over the world, revenues have risen
dramatically over the years to keep up with the demand of online gamers world
wide. As of 2005, about half a billion US dollars have been allotted to MMORPG
and about one billion dollars have been allotted to the western revenues alone.

Economics on MMORPG

Most online role-playing games feature living economies. Virtual items and
currency have to be gained while playing the game and have definite value for
the players. Such a virtual economy can be analyzed and has value in economic
research and can even have a dramatic impact on the economies of the real world.

Edward Castronova, one of the early researchers of MMORPGs, demonstrated that
there is an existing supply-and-demand market for virtual items, even crossing
over with the real world. Some of the crossover requirements are the following:
The player's ability to sell in-game items for virtual currency, trading of
items which have the similar value, the purchase of game items with real
money, and the exchange of real money with in-game money.

The idea of exchanging real currency virtual currency or in-game items has had
a significant effect on both the players and game industries. Some people even
make a living out of the virtual economies. These people are termed as "gold
farmers" and can be employed through the game shops or private forums. Game
publishers usually prohibit the exchange of real currencies with in-game items
or virtual money however, these exchanges are hard to control and due to the
necessity of an item or virtual money, many of the players offer real money
exchange. There are some online games which offer a direct link between virtual
economy and real-world economy. A perfect example is the game "Entropia
Universe". In this online game, real money can be deposited for game money and
vice versa.

MMORPGs -- What Are They?

Advent of the Internet

Online games are games played over a computer network. Currently, the term
online almost always means the Internet. During the expansion of online gaming
over the years, it gave a large influence to the overall expansion of computer
networks from local networks to the Internet and the popular growth of Internet
access itself.

Online games can range from text based games to complex graphical and virtual
games which are populated by many players simultaneously all over the world.
Many of the recent online games have incorporated online communities which made
it a form of social activity.

Internet revolution where websites could utilize streaming video, audio, and a
whole new set of user interactivity was made possible by the rising popularity
of flash and java. When Microsoft began including flash players as a
pre-installed component of "internet explorer", the Internet shift from a
data/information source to also offer on-demand entertainment.

Online Games

The inclusion of flash to internet explorers paved way for web sites to offer
games to web surfers. Most the popular online games such as the popular World
of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XI and Lineage II charge monthly fees to subscribers
to access to their services, while games such as Guild Wars use an alternative
scheme which offers a no monthly fee.

Most sites let their subscribers play for free by relying on advertising
revenues from online sponsors. Others, like Runescape, offer people free play
while leaving option of paying for special services and unlock new content.

Massive Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG's)

With the growth of broadband internet access in many developed as well as
developing countries, massive multiplayer online games were made possible.
Using the internet to allow thousands of players to play the same game at the
same time made MMOG's very popular to children, teens, and young adults.
Massive multiplayer online role-playing game (World of Warcraft), Massive
multiplayer online real-time strategy (Mankind), and Massive multiplayer online
first-person shooter (Dark Fall) are one of the most popular styles of MMOG's.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Games

The growing access to broadband internet has made it possible for gamers to
play games at their homes and at the same time interact with other people
without actually meeting them. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of
playing online games at home:

Advantages:

Privacy. Players have the privilege of playing their favorite online games at
home rather than going into an internet cafe and line with other people just to
play the games.

Cheaper. Players have the option of playing at home rather than going out and
pay for the hours they play.

Safe. Players can safely play their online games at home at the same time
interact with other players.

Disadvantages:

Time consuming. Online games are very competitive and to compete means spending
a large amount of the player's time playing online just to keep up with the
other players.

Less social interaction. Most of the online players play at home and spend most
of their time in front of the monitor. Although players interact with other
players online, they still spend less time actually meeting the person and
interacting with them personally rather than in front of a monitor.

Eye strain and the occasional head ache. Online games are very addictive to the
majority of the players. They spend most of their time playing the game and some
even spend the whole day in front of the computer. The strain on the players
eyes vary on how long they play the game. While spending the whole day staring
at the monitor, the eyes are strained more often than usual and even after they
stop, their brain is over used the occasional head-ache is often felt.

Why Online Role Playing Games Are In Demand

History

Online role playing games can trace its history back to the 1970s, where the
earliest multi user games started to appear. Rogue, a very famous dungeon
crawler, was released in1980. Monsters, items, and setting were represented by
letters. This in turn, inspired a whole genre of similar clones.

Dungeons and Dragons have long influenced the development of role playing
games. Console playing games', such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, success
divided the genre into two: the console role playing games and the computer
role playing games. This is because of the cultural differences where game
consoles are produced primarily for personal computers in Japan and role
playing games in the Western World.

Online Role Playing Games started as single player games when it was first
introduced. However, with the advent of the internet, more and more
improvements were made on role playing games. What started as a game for one
now has all people coming from different countries playing together in one
game. Multiplayer options have grown remarkably big that game companies find
ways to improve it over and over again. With these improvements came massively
multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) that continued to make online
gaming more popular each year.

RPGs

Role playing games are games where the participants or players assume roles of
certain fictional characters and follow stories as the game process continues.

These characters are usually called avatars and can be customized according to
the player's preferences. Participants determine their character's actions
whether it succeed or it fails. Like any other game, online role playing games
also have guidelines and formal system of rules and mechanics that has to be
met. Within this rules, the participant can improvise and shape the outcome and
direction of the games.

Stories

The games are based around stories which are mostly adventure and fictional in
type. Online role playing games centers around fantasy and mythological genre
were the participant has to achieve a certain goal to advance further into the
game. These goals are sometimes called "quests" or mission. They involve
chasing of dragons from the city, saving a damsel in distress, or fighting evil
masters and wizards. How one wins these fights depends on their character's
strength, characteristics, and skill.

More About the Characters

Players are given options on how they want to improve their character's
performance. They can modify this through enhancing their character's skills,
attributes, equipment, and special abilities. In most RPGs, these improvements
are offered as rewards for accomplishing missions and overcoming certain
challenges. These rewards have to be earned.

Status Bars

Unlike traditional video games where health or a character's attributes are
displayed on colored status bars and meters, online role playing games have a
more complicated way in displaying status levels. Instead of the simpler
abstract graphical representation, they make use of numeric values which are
constantly updated each time the character scores or takes a hit. These
numerical values are displayed on the status screen of each player.

Multiplayer Options

Originally, role playing games were offered only a single player experience.
However, with the advent of the internet, multiplayer modes gained popularity
and rose sharply during the middle of the 1990s. Diablo was among the first to
come up with multiplayer games. And with that, these multiplayer games became
into massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs). Everquest is an
example of these.

What The Virtual World Has To Offer -- ORPGs

The Online Role Playing Game

The venue is the virtual world. Numerous individuals participate, meet, and
play with each other. These are the occurrences in massively multiplayer online
role-playing game (MMORPG). These are computer role playing games which
developed from continuous improvement of online multi user games. It was
Richard Garriott who coined the term MMORPG. He is the creator of the game
which popularized MMORPG, Ultima Online.

A fictional fantasy world is the usual setting in most role playing games. The
gamers build their own character (avatar) and take control of the avatar's
skill and abilities. They can customize their avatars to match their
personality. Every game in the online RPGs comprises of different characters
with different trait and responsibilities. They can be categorized into melee,
ranged, and magic users.

What Makes MMORPGs Different

Massively multiplayer online role playing games can be recognized from the
usual computer role playing games by the number of players and the virtual
world where the game is situated. Computer role playing games can only cater to
single player modes whilst massively multiplayer online role-playing games can
cater to thousands of gamers at one time.

The world that the game is themed from is another factor that differentiates
the two genres. A repetitive and constant setting is found on computer role
playing games. Because of the way it is programmed, each time the gamers in
computer RPGs plays a game, the same episodes are repeated.

On the contrary, MMORPGs' provide an environment that lives on its own. That
means that even if the player is away or online, the game continues to evolve
and "live".

Increasing Revenues

Because of the popularity MMORPG has gained, it is not surprising to know that
revenues rose dramatically over the years just so it could keep up with the
world wide demand of online gamers.

In 2005 alone, about half a billion US dollars have been given to MMORPGs.
Western revenues have been allotted with about one million dollars.

Economics

Most online role-playing games feature living economies. Virtual items and
currency have to be gained while playing the game and have definite value for
the players. Such a virtual economy can be analyzed and has value in economic
research and can even have a dramatic impact on the economies of the real world.

One of the early researchers of MMORPGs, particularly Edward Castronova, stated
that the supply-and-demand market for virtual items is existing. It even crossed
over the real world as much as the virtual one. Crossover requirements are some
of the following: The player's ability to sell in-game items for virtual
currency, trading of items which have the similar value, the purchase of game
items with real money, and the exchange of real money with in-game money.

The idea of exchanging real currency virtual currency or in-game items has had
a significant effect on both the players and game industries. People who make a
living out of the virtual economies are termed as "gold farmers" and can be
employed through the game shops or private forums.

Real currencies in exchange for virtual money and in-game items are usually
prohibited by game publishers. However, because of necessity this exchange
cannot be avoided. An example of this is "Entropia Universe", an online game
that allows real money in exchange for game money and vice versa.

The Internet and ORPGs -- Pros And Cons

With the advent of the Internet, online games have been played over computer
networks. Over the year, the online gaming has expanded and provided a large
influence to the overall expansion computer networks from the popular growth of
Internet access itself and the local networks to the Internet.

These online games can vary from games that are text based to complex graphical
and virtual games which are simultaneously populated by many players all over
the world. Nowadays online gaming has become a social activity because of the
online communities incorporated into the recent online games.

The rising popularity of flash and java and internet revolution made video
streaming, audio streaming, and a whole new set of user interactivity possible.
When Microsoft began including flash players as a pre-installed component of
"internet explorer", the Internet shift from a data/information source to also
offer on-demand entertainment.

Flash Players

When flash players were included into the internet explorers, it gave way for
web sites to offer games to the web surfers. World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy
XI and Lineage II are among the most popular online games to date.

These games charge monthly fees to their subscribers so that they may be able
to access the services and avail the services they need. However, games such as
Guild Wars, do not charge monthly fees to their subscribers.

Massive Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG's)

With the advent of broadband internet access, massive multiplayer online games
were made possible especially in developing countries. Using the internet,
MMOGs became very popular to children, teens, and young adults because the
internet allows thousands of players to play and participate in the same game
at the same time.

Massive multiplayer online role-playing game (World of Warcraft), Massive
multiplayer online real-time strategy (Mankind), and Massive multiplayer online
first-person shooter (Dark Fall) are one of the most popular styles of MMOG's.

Pros and Cons of Online Games

Because of the growing access to broadband internet, gamers can play there
favorite online role playing games from the comfort of their own home while
interacting with the other gamers even without meeting them yet.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of playing online games at home:

Pros

Online games provide privacy. Online gaming can be played at home rather than
go to internet cafes with other people lining up just to play the same game.

Online games are cheaper. Because you can play from the comfort of your own
home, you can play for as long as you can without paying for large amounts in
the internet cafes.

Online games are safe. Online gamers need not to go out of their homes so as to
guarantee safety. You also need not to reveal your true identity to other
players while maintaining interaction with them.

Cons

Online games are time consuming. These games are quite competitive and one
needs time to think of strategies and accomplishing their goals. They also need
to spend large amounts of time to keep up with other players.

Online games lessen social interaction. Because of the large amount of time
players spend in front of the computer and interacting with other gamers mostly
through chat, they become impersonal in dealing with people. They would rather
spend the entire day interacting through chat than actually meeting and talking
to individuals in person.

Online games can cause eye strain and head ache. While most online games are
fun to play with, they can become very addictive to the majority of players.
Spending large amounts of time in front of the monitor not only prove to be eye
straining but can cause prolonged head ache even if they stop playing the game.

The Development Of Online Role Playing Games

Background

The mid 1970s gave birth to a new genre of role playing video games. Online RPG
were the results of early university mainframe text-based role playing games on
Unix-based computers (such as pedit5, dnd, and Dungeon) and PDP-10.

When the 1980s came, Rogue, a very popular dungeon crawler, was released.
Because of this, a deep system of gameplay was observed in the settings, items,
and monsters. As a result, new genres of "roguelike" replicas were made.

One of the most influential among the role playing games invented was Dungeons
and Dragons. Ever since its release, improvements have been made on online role
playing games in general. In 1988, SSI formed a series of "Gold Box" Computer
Role Playing Games with Pool of Radiance. The rules were based on Advanced
Dungeons and Dragons. It also featured overhead tactical displays for combat
and a first-person display for movement.

Initially, role playing games offered only a single player mode of playing. But
with the advent of games like Diablo, multiplayer options of the games became
available and quickly became all the rage especially in the mid-1990s. With
more success, these multiplayer games became massively multiplayer online
role-playing games (MMORPGs) with the advent of the internet. Games such as
Everquest where produced as MMORPGs.

Dungeons and Dragons and other traditional ORPGS became the basis for the game
mechanics and the settings found in the new role playing games.

They all involve a team, group of characters, usually called a "party" that
join together to accomplish a mission or quests. Challenges and enemies await
the players and they become more and more difficult to overcome as the game
progresses.

Some obstacles are dragons, monsters, or evil wizards. Most of these are
inspired by science fiction, mythology, and fantasy.

Rewards and Points

The players themselves build their own avatars or characters. They also have
different options on how they can modify these characters basing on their
skills, attributes, equipment, special abilities, and personalities.

However, the improvements of their characters are highly dependent on how they
play the game. New powers, equipment, and better health are given as rewards
and prizes for achievement of their goals and accomplishment of quests. It can
also be given as reciprocate to the service they offer to the locals of the
fantasy setting.

Rewarding the characters may be done based on these 3 systems. The training
system awards the characters with proficiency in using equipment. With training
and practice, the character will become more accustomed to it.

The skill point system rewards the character skill points based on the quests
he or she completed.

The experience system awards the player with experience points upon winning
battles and destroying monsters in the game.

Complex Fun

Normally, status screens are displayed on the gamer's monitor to know the
attributes and hit points of the character. It uses a more complex abstract
graphical representation because bars and meters are not utilized in describing
the character's status. Instead, numerical values are designated to do the job.

Multiplayer Experience

Single and multiplayer options are available with online role playing games.
These games allow you to be part of a group or a team. They give chance for
player to player interaction through chat. A sense of competition is also
experienced during battles with other teams.

With revenues exceeding more than a billion dollars each year, it is then, with
no doubt, that online gaming encompasses other role playing game genres.

The Advent Of Online Role Playing Games

Background

The genre of role playing video game history can be traced back to the
mid-1970s. These were the results of early university mainframe text-based RPGs
on Unix-based computers (such as pedit5, dnd, and Dungeon) and PDP-10. The 1980s
paved way for the release of a very popular dungeon crawler, Rogue. A deep
system of gameplay was observed in the settings, items, and monsters. Because
of this, new genres of "roguelike" clones were made.

Dungeons and Dragons is the most influential among the role playing games made.
Improvements were made since its release. In 1988, SSI formed a series of "Gold
Box" Computer Role Playing Games with Pool of Radiance. These were based on the
Advanced Dungeons and Dragons rules and featured an overhead tactical display
for combat and a first-person display for movement.

The initial role playing games presented only a single player experience for
its players. However, with games such as Diablo, multiplayer modes of the games
quickly became popular in the mid-1990s. These in turn, grew to massively
multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) with the dawn of the internet.
Everquest and many other games were fashioned into MMORPGs.

The game mechanics and the settings found in newer role playing games were
derived from their traditional counterparts, m ost especially Dungeons and
Dragons. Almost all game stories involve a party or a group of characters that
join forces to complete a "quest" or a mission. Numerous enemies and challenges
await the players. As the game progresses, these challenges become more and more
difficult to overcome. Usually, these obstacles are dragons, monsters, or evil
persons that are inspired by mythology, science fiction, and more commonly,
fantasy.

Character Building

It is dependent on the players how they want their characters, or avatars, to
look like and be like. They can also modify them based on their skills,
attributes, equipment, special abilities, and personalities. More often than
not, improvements can be given as gifts or prizes when the player or the party
achieved a certain goal or completed a mission. In short, they have to earn
these rewards in order to for their characters to become a better player in the
next challenge.

There are different ways of rewarding the characters of the game for
accomplishing the tasks and achieving their goals. These are based on: the
training system (skill-based system), the skill point system (level-free
system), and the experience system (level-based system).

Progress Charts

Characters possess a variety of features such as hit points. A status screen is
traditionally displayed on the player's monitor. However, unlike the usual video
games, role playing games use numerical values to describe the character or the
game's status. They do not make use of the simpler abstract graphical
representations such as bars and meters that video games utilize.

Interactive Fun

Online role playing games differ from it traditional RPG counterparts in the
sense that it offers both a single and multi user experience. All online games
allow you to chat with each player no matter where he or she is. Multiplayer
games allow you to be part of a group as well, playing with or against each
other in order to complete your quest or mission. However, if you choose to be
a single player, you will still be part of a small group. Being an online
player for sometime, you will find yourself being the leader or influential
member of the group.

With revenues exceeding more than a billion dollars each year, it is then, with
no doubt, that online gaming encompasses other role playing game genres.

Role Playing Games -- And The Fan Base Grows

Role Playing Games

Players or participants of Role Laying Games assume the role of different
fictional characters, more popularly known as avatars, and try to make these
characters victorious with each challenge it faces.

These avatars can be customized and built according to the preferences of the
player. They may determine where their character may excel. However, as the
game progresses, the character may built up more strength and powers or
otherwise.

Online role playing games also have guidelines and a formal system of rules and
mechanics that needs to be met. Working around these rules, participants can
shape the outcome and direction of their games.

Background

It was in the mid 1970s when it all started. Online role playing games was
developed from its traditional counterparts (computer role playing games and
video games). In this year, the earliest multi user games started to appear. In
1980, Rogue, a very famous dungeon crawler was released. It was quite different
back then because monsters, items, and settings were represented by letters.
Form then, development of a new genre of similar clones.

One of the most influential games among all online role playing games is
Dungeons and Dragons. It has a big effect in the development of online RPGs.
The success of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest console games divided the genre
of role playing games into two: the console role playing games and the computer
role playing games. Cultural differences are the reason behind this
classification. Game consoles are produced primarily for personal computers in
Japan and role playing games in the Western World.

When it was introduced, Online Role Playing Games began as single player games.
However the arrival of the internet and the virtual world made developments in
online role playing games. After that, players from all over the world began to
enjoy the games in this genre. They were able to participate in multiplayer
games with players from all parts of the globe.

These games have grown to be an online gamer sensation that RPG companies
discover ways to make it better. These improvements led multiplayer gaming into
massively multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) that continued to make
online gaming more popular each year.

Challenges

These games are centered on stories which are more often than not, adventure
and fictional in type. There are also centered on fantasy and mythological
genres. Players have to reach a certain goal or complete a mission in order to
advance further into the game. These missions and challenges are often called
"quests".

Some of these involve chasing off dragons, fighting evil wizards and masters,
and saving damsels in distress. The outcomes of these games are dependent on
the characters strengths, characteristic, and skills.

Little More About the Avatars

As stated, players have the power to customize their characters according to
their preferences. However, the improvement of there characters are highly
dependent on the course of the game. Enhancing their character's skills,
attributes, equipment, and special abilities are important so as to achieve the
goal of the game.

Improvements and achievements are often given as rewards for accomplishing
their quests and overcoming obstacles. In short, these rewards have to be
earned.

Multiplayer Modes

Among the online role playing games, Diablo was the first to come up with
multiplayer options. Multiplayer modes became popularity during the mid1990s.
Then after, they became massively multiplayer online role playing games
(MMORPGs) because of its popularity.

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