Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG)

←Back • ↑Topics • ↑Categories

Massively multiplayer online game (MMOG or MMO) is a form of multiplayer video game which contains hundreds to thousands or even hundreds of thousand players on the same server. MMOs usually take place in an open world although there are many games that differ. Gamer can get access to these game by purchasing or installing the game on most network-capable platforms such as video game consoles, personal computer (PC), or even smartphones and many other devices. MMOs enable the ability to cooperate or compete with other players all over the world on a large scale. They includes a variety of online-only gameplay types, representing many video game genres, which overshadows the single player mode that many of the video games were originally designed around.

History

Virtual Worlds

A virtual world is an animated three-dimensional world created with computer graphics imagining (CGI) and other rendering software . Users of a virtual world interact with each other through a representation of themselves called "avatars". The avatars are controlled by users input of mouse movement or keystrokes, where they can interact with objects within the virtual world. A virtual had all the features: multi-user, different points of view, 3D graphics, bots, chat, IM, shooting and scoring. Additionally, a virtual worlds also provides sounds effect, chat, and even instant messaging in the environment, which allow it to be used for interaction and entertainment. Interaction-based virtual worlds are used for socializing, education or training purposes. Users would explore the world with the main ideas like debates, having seminars, or simply connect with other users. Entertainment-based virtual worlds represent the majority of virtual worlds to date and are used for gaming purposes. Gaming worlds allow users to explore, cooperate, or even compete with other users. They are often influenced by fantasy or fiction like storylines, where each player can be the protagonist and acquire achievements while conquering the game.

Evolution

Although the most popular type of MMOG is the MMORPG, the first ever multiplayer online video game were Mazewar, coined in 1973. Mazewar is a first-person multiplayer shooting game, in which players at different computer could visually interact in the virtual world and compete with each other. Players wanders around the maze and try to shoot the other player first. The ability to move around in first-person view was an innovation that set it apart from the more well known shooter games at the time. Since online games started with playing on a computer, old school MMOs are generally characterized by mostly mouse and keyboard gameplay, where players click on icons to cast spells, swing their swords, or use their abilities, and communicate with others by typing on their keyboards. As the world evolves, newer MMOs enable more direct control, allowing the players to have a better gaming experience as their avatars can move more smoothly with more realistic movements. The reason for this is because of the birth of video game consoles, newer MMOs aims to allow players to be more flexible with their access to the game, giving more direct control give players the ability to play the game on either a computer or a console.

Genres

With MMOG having hundreds or thousands of simultaneous players connected via the internet, designers and game developers do their best to create games that anyone can have access to. Unlike the old time where all of the online games were predominantly played on a computer, all the new gaming consoles like PS4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Dsi and Wii also provides internet connectivity . The ability to play games become even easier with hand held mobile devices like the iPhone, Nokia, Samsung, etc. MMOGs also attract many players because they can meaningfully interact with thousands of people across the world. As Massively Multiplayer Online Games continue to grows and most games cannot be described as a single types, MMOGs were able to be classified as 15 different categories:

Role Playing

This is the most common type of MMOG, known as MMORPG