NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Massively multiplayer online game

A massively multiplayer online game (also called MMOG or simply MMO) is a video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on general purpose computers. Most of the newer game consoles, including the Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS and Wii can access the Internet and thus can have MMO genre games. The abbreviation MMO can stand for any of several things: Marine Mammal Observer Massively multiplayer online (gaming) Means, Motive and Opportunity Methane Monooxygenase Minimum Municipal Obligation (municipal pension funds) Mixed metal oxide electrodes Makina MÃ¼hendisleri OdasÄ± (Turkish Chamber of Mechanical Engineers) Maximum Mach Operating Speed - Aviation Environment Category: ... Computer and video games redirects here. ... A type of video game in which the game automatically loads adjacent rooms while you explore the one you are in. ... It has been suggested that Xbox 360 Elite be merged into this article or section. ... The PlayStation Portable (officially abbreviated PSP)[5] is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. ... The PlayStation 3 , trademarked PLAYSTATIONÂ®3,[3] commonly abbreviated PS3) is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment; successor to the PlayStation 2. ... The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or more commonly DS) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. ... The Wii (pronounced as the pronoun we, IPA: ) is the fifth home video game console released by Nintendo. ...

MMOGs can enable players to cooperate and compete with each other on a grand scale, and sometimes to interact meaningfully with people around the world. They include a variety of gameplay types, representing many video game genres. Many MMOGs require players to invest large amounts of their time into the game. Most MMOGs require a monthly subscription fee, but some can be played for free. Further information: Game classification Video games are categorized into genres based on their gameplay interaction. ...

History

The most popular type of MMO, and the sub-genre that pioneered the category, is the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), which descended from university mainframe computer MUD and adventure games such as Rogue, Dungeon on the PDP-10, and Devious MUD, which later turns into the but successful game RuneScape. These games pre-date the commercial gaming industry and the Internet, but still featured persistent worlds and other elements of MMOGs still used today. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with MMORPG. (Discuss) MMORPGs, as we define them today, have existed since the early 1990s. ... An image from World of Warcraft, one of the largest commercial MMORPGs as of 2004, based on active subscriptions. ... For other uses, see Mainframe. ... This article is about a type of online computer game. ... Rogue is a dungeon crawling computer game dating from 1980. ... Dungeon was perhaps the first computer role-playing game, and ran on Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-10 mainframe computers. ... The PDP-10 was a computer manufactured by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) from the late 1960s on; the name stands for Programmed Data Processor model 10. It was the machine that made time-sharing common; it looms large in hacker folklore because of its adoption in the 1970s by many... RuneScape is a Java-based MMORPG operated by Jagex Ltd. ...

The first graphical MMOG, and a major milestone in the creation of the genre, was the multi-player flight combat simulation game Air Warrior by Kesmai on the GEnie online service, which first appeared in 1987. Air Warrior was the worlds first multiplayer on-line air-combat simulator (at least for civilians). ... Kesmai is a pioneering game developer and online game publisher, founded in 1981 by Kelton Flinn and John Taylor. ... For other uses, see Genie (disambiguation). ... This article is about the year 1987. ...

Commercial MMORPGs gained early acceptance in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The genre was pioneered by the GemStone series on GEnie, also created by Kesmai, and Neverwinter Nights, the first such game to include graphics, which debuted on AOL in 1991. The 1980s was the decade spanning from 1980 to 1989, also called The Eighties. The decade saw social, economic and general upheaval as wealth, production and western culture migrated to new industrializing economies. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... For other uses, see Gemstone (disambiguation). ... This article is about the AOL MMORPG. For the 2002 computer role-playing game, see Neverwinter Nights. ... For other uses, see AOL (disambiguation). ...

As computer game developers applied MMO ideas to other computer and video game genres, new acronyms started to develop, such as MMORTS. MMOG emerged as a generic term to cover this growing class of games. These games became so popular that a magazine, called Massive Online Gaming, released an issue in October 2002 hoping to cover MMOG topics exclusively, but it never released its second issue. A video game developer is a software developer (a business or an individual) that creates video or computer games. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Categories: Stub | Computer and video game genres | Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy games ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...

The debuts of The Realm Online, Meridian 59 (the first 3D MMOG), Ultima Online, Underlight and EverQuest in the late 1990s popularized the MMORPG genre. The growth in technology meant that where Neverwinter Nights in 1991 had been limited to 50 simultaneous players (a number that grew to 500 by 1995), by the year 2000 a multitude of MMORPGs were each serving thousands of simultaneous players and in December 2007 EVE Online achieved a new record with 41,690. Retrieved on 2008-01-08. concurrent accounts logged on to the same server. The Realm Online, originally known as simply The Realm, was among the first MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) for public release (the public Beta was out 5 months before Meridian 59s commercial release). ... Meridian 59 is an online computer role-playing game first published by the now defunct 3DO Company and now run by Near Death Studios. ... Ultima Online (UO) is a popular graphical massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), released on September 25, 1997, by Origin Systems. ... Underlight (UL) is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that was released in 1998. ... EverQuest, often called EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that was released on March 16, 1999. ... Year 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Despite the genre's focus on multiplayer gaming, AI-controlled characters are still common. NPCs and mobs who give out quests or serve as opponents are typical mostly in MMORPGs. AI-controlled characters are not as common in action-based MMOGs. Game AI refers to techniques used in computer and video games to produce the illusion of intelligence in the behavior of non-player characters (NPCs). ... An NPC from the video game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

The popularity of MMOGs was mostly restricted to the computer game market until the sixth-generation consoles, with the launch of Phantasy Star Online on Dreamcast and the emergence and growth of online service Xbox Live. There have been a number of console MMOGs, including EverQuest Online Adventures (PlayStation 2), and the multiconsole Final Fantasy XI. On PCs, the MMOG market has always been dominated by successful fantasy MMORPGs. The sixth-generation era (sometimes referred to as the 128-bit era; see Number of bits below) refers to the computer and video games, video game consoles, and video game handhelds available at the turn of the 21st century. ... Phantasy Star Online (PSO) is an online Action RPG title, originally released for Dreamcast in 2000. ... The Dreamcast , code-named White Belt, Black Belt, Dural, Dricas, Vortex, Katana, Shark, and Guppy during development) is Segas last video game console and the successor to the Sega Saturn. ... Xbox Live is a subscription-based online gaming service for Microsofts Xbox and Xbox 360 video game consoles. ... EverQuest Online Adventures (EQOA) is a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for the PlayStation 2. ... PS2 redirects here. ... Final Fantasy XI ), also known as Final Fantasy XI: Online, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed and published by Square (now Square Enix) as a part of the Final Fantasy video game series. ... For other uses, see Fantasy (disambiguation). ...

MMOGs have only recently begun to break into the mobile phone market, beginning with CipSoft's TibiaME, which is the first MMORPG to arrive on a mobile device and Biting Bit's MicroMonster which features online and bluetooth multiplayer gaming. SmartCell Technology is in development of Shadow of Legend, which will allow gamers to continue their game on their mobile device when away from their PC. CipSoft, or CIP, is a video game developer based in Regensburg, Germany most notable for the online roleplaying game Tibia. ... Tibia Micro Edition, often called TibiaME or sometimes Tibia: Land of Heroes, is the first MMORPG game for mobile phones â€“ based on online role-playing game Tibia. ... SmartCell Technology Logo SmartCell Technology, LLC is a mobile applications developer with its headquarters in Irvine, California, United States, and a development center in Shanghai, China. ... Shadow of Legend is the worlds first MMORPG that realizes the simultaneous gameplay and interaction for both PC and mobile device users in the same world. ...

Science fiction has also been a popular theme, featuring games such as Anarchy Online, Eve Online, Star Wars Galaxies and The Matrix Online. Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ... Anarchy Online (AO) [1] is a science fiction MMORPG released in June 2001 by Funcom set on the world of Rubi-Ka and its extra-dimensional twin, the Shadowlands. ... EVE Online is a persistent world multiplayer online game set in space. ... For other uses, see Star Wars Galaxy. ... The Matrix Online (MxO) is a massively multiplayer online game developed by Monolith Productions. ...

MMOGs emerged from the hard-core gamer community to the mainstream strongly in December 2003 with an analysis in the Financial Times measuring the value of the virtual property in the then-largest MMOG, Everquest, to result in a per-capita GDP of 2,266 dollars which would have placed the virtual world of Everquest as the 77th wealthiest nation, on par with Croatia, Ecuador, Tunisia or Vietnam.

World of Warcraft is currently the dominant MMOG in the world with more than 60% of the player base ^[1], and with 10-11 million monthly subscribers worldwide,^[2] is the most popular Western title among MMOGs. World of Warcraft (commonly abbreviated as WoW) is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is the fourth game in the Warcraft series, excluding expansion packs and the cancelled Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans. ...

Virtual economies

Within a majority of the MMOs created, there is virtual currency where the player can earn and accumulate money. The uses for such virtual currency are numerous and vary from game to game. The virtual economies created within MMOs often blur the lines between real and virtual worlds. The result is often seen as an unwanted interaction between the real and virtual economies by the players and the provider of the virtual world. This practice (economy interaction) is mostly seen in this genre of games. The two seem to come hand in hand with even the earliest MMOGs such as Ultima Online having this kind of trade, real money for virtual things. A virtual economy (or sometimes synthetic economy) is an emergent economy existing in a virtual persistent world, usually in the context of an Internet game. ... A virtual economy (or sometimes synthetic economy) is an emergent economy existing in a virtual persistent world, usually in the context of an Internet game. ... Ultima Online (UO) is a popular graphical massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), released on September 25, 1997, by Origin Systems. ...

The importance of having a working virtual economy within an MMOG is increasing as they develop. A sign of this is CCP Games hiring the first real-life economist for its MMOG EVE Online to assist and analyze the virtual economy and production within this game. Photo of CCP at work CCP (Crowd Control Productions) is known for the MMORPG game EVE_Online. ... EVE Online is a persistent world multiplayer online game set in space. ...

The results of this interaction between the virtual economy, and our real economy, which is really the interaction between the company that created the game and the third-party companies that want to share in the profits and success of the game. This battle between companies is defended on both sides. The company originating the game and the intellectual property argue that this is in violation of the terms and agreements of the game as well as copyright violation since they own the rights to how the online currency is distributed and through what channels^{[citation needed]}. The case that the third-party companies and their customers defend, is that they are selling and exchanging the time and effort put into the acquisition of the currency, not the digital information itself. They also express that the nature of many MMOs is that they require time commitments not available to everyone. As a result, without external acquisition of virtual currency, some players are severely limited to being able to experience certain aspects of the game.

The practice of acquiring large volumes of virtual currency for the purpose of selling to other individuals for tangible and real currency is called gold farming. Many players who have poured in all of their personal effort resent that there is this exchange between real and virtual economies since it devalues their own efforts. As a result, the term 'gold farmer' now has a very negative connotation within the games and their communities. This slander has unfortunately also extended itself to racial profiling (since Asians are commonly the farmers^{[citation needed]}) and to in-game and forum insulting. A gold farmer is a person who acquires gold (or other in-game currency) in a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) for the sole purpose of selling it to other players via an out-of-game venue, such as E-Bay. ...

The reaction from many of the game companies varies. In games that are substantially less popular and have a small player base, the enforcement of the elimination of 'gold farming' appears less often. Companies in this situation most likely are concerned with their personal sales and subscription revenue over the development of their virtual economy, as they most likely have a higher priority to the games viability via adequate funding. Games with an enormous player base, and consequently much higher sales and subscription income, can take more drastic actions more often and in much larger volumes. Blizzard Entertainment and their wildly successful World of Warcraft are not afraid to publicly announce that tens of thousands of accounts have been banned due to violations regarding currency selling^{[citation needed]}. This account banning could also serve as an economic gain for these large games, since it is highly likely that, due to demand, these 'gold farming' accounts will be recreated with freshly bought copies of the game. Blizzard Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, is an American computer game developer and publisher headquartered in Irvine, California. ... World of Warcraft (commonly abbreviated as WoW) is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is the fourth game in the Warcraft series, excluding expansion packs and the cancelled Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans. ...

Comparing MMOGs to other games

There are a number of factors shared by most MMOGs that make them different from other types of games. MMOGs create a persistent universe where the game continues playing regardless of whether or not anyone else is. Since these games strongly or exclusively emphasize multiplayer gameplay, few of them have any significant single-player aspects or client-side artificial intelligence. As a result, players cannot "finish" MMOGs in the typical sense of single-player games. Game AI refers to techniques used in computer and video games to produce the illusion of intelligence in the behavior of non-player characters (NPCs). ...

Most MMOGs also share other characteristics that make them different from other multiplayer online games. MMOGs host a large number of players in a single game world, and all of those players can interact with each other at any given time. Popular MMOGs might have thousands of players online at any given time, usually on a company owned server. Non-MMOGs, such as Battlefield 1942 or Half-Life usually have less than 50 players online (per server) and are usually played on private servers. Also, MMOGs usually do not have any significant mods since the game must work on company servers. There is some debate if a high head-count is the requirement to be an MMOG. Some say that it is the size of the game world and its capability to support a large number of players that should matter. For example, despite technology and content constraints, most MMOGs can fit up to a few thousand players on a single game server at a time. Battlefield 1942 is a 3D World War II first-person shooter (FPS) computer game developed by Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts for Microsoft Windows (2002) and Apple Macintosh (2004). ... Half-Life For a quantity subject to exponential decay, the half-life is the time required for the quantity to fall to half of its initial value. ... For other uses, see Mod. ...

To support all those players, MMOGs need large-scale game worlds, and servers to connect players to those worlds. Sometimes a game features a universe which is copied onto different servers, separating players, and this is called a "sharded" universe. Other games will feature a single universe which is divided among servers, and requires players to switch. Still others will only use one part of the universe at any time. For example, Tribes (which is not an MMO) comes with a number of large maps, which are played in rotation (one at a time). In contrast, the similar title PlanetSide uses the second model, and allows all map-like areas of the game to be reached via flying, driving, or teleporting. A game server is a server used by game clients. ... For the biological concept, see tribe (biology). ... PlanetSide is a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter computer game published by Sony Online Entertainment and released on May 19, 2003. ... In computer and video games, the overworld generally refers to an out-door or world map section of the game, as opposed to a dungeon or level. In a typical RPGs, the player can usually save their game whenever they like, and will usually have a different appearance (to reflect...

MMORPGs usually have sharded universes, as they provide the most flexible solution to the server load problem, but not always. For example, the space sim Eve Online uses only one large cluster server peaking at over 41,000 simultaneous players. A massive(ly) multiplayer online role-playing game or MMORPG is a multiplayer computer role-playing game that enables thousands of players to play in an evolving virtual world at the same time over the Internet. ... EVE Online is a persistent world multiplayer online game set in space. ...

There are also a few more common differences between MMOGs and other online games. Most MMOGs charge the player a monthly or bimonthly fee to have access to the game's servers, and therefore to online play. Also, the game state in an MMOG rarely ever resets. This means that a level gained by a player today will still be there tomorrow when the player logs back on. MMOGs often feature ingame support for clans and guilds. The members of a clan or a guild may participate in activities with one another, or show some symbols of membership to the clan or guild.

However, the boundaries between multiplayer online games and MMOGs are not always as clear or obvious. Neverwinter Nights (2002) and Diablo II are usually called online role-playing games, (RPGs) but are also sometimes incorrectly called MMORPGs (a type of MMOG). This article is about the 2002 computer role-playing game. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... Diablo II, sequel to the game Diablo, is a dark fantasy-themed action role-playing game in a hack and slash or Dungeon Roaming style. ...

Technical aspect

It is challenging to develop the engines that are needed to run a successful MMO with millions of players. Engines include Graphical, Physical and Network engines. Most developers have done their own, but attempts have been made to create middleware, software that would help game developers concentrate on their games more than technical aspects. An example of such an engine is the one from BigWorld, which recently signed a contract with Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment ^[3] to deliver the engine for their production of Stargate Worlds ^[4].

One of the bigger problems with the engines has been to handle the vast amount of players playing the games. Since a typical server can handle around 10-12000 players, 4-5000 active simultaneously, dividing the game into shards (servers) has up till now been the solution. This approach has also helped with the latency issues (delays, hacking etc.) that many players experience due to limitations of the internet.

Types

MMO Role-playing game

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games, known as MMORPGs, are the most famous type of MMOG. See list of MMORPGs for a list of notable MMORPGs. Some MMORPGs are designed as a multiplayer browser game in order to reduce infrastructure costs and utilise a thin client that most users will already have installed. The acronym BBMMORPGs has sometimes been used to describe these as browser-based. Players interacting in Ultima Online, a classic MMORPG. Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a genre of online computer role-playing games (CRPGs) in which a large number of players interact with one another in a virtual world. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This is a list of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs). ... A multiplayer browser game is a massively multiplayer online game played through an internet browser as the thin client platform. ... A HP T5700 thin client, with flash memory A Neoware m100 thin client. ...

MMO First-person shooter

Several MMO first-person shooters have been made. These games provide large-scale, sometimes team-based combat. The addition of persistence in the game world means that these games add elements typically found in RPGs, such as experience points. The first MMOFPS, 10SIX (now known as Project Visitor) released in 2000. World War II Online, released in 2001, is often quoted with the same honour, because it more closely fits the traditional FPS mold with more features, and was more widely published. Another popular MMOFPS game is Sony Online Entertainment's PlanetSide. For building one's own MMOFPS, there are also now free MMOG game engines. Massively multiplayer online first-person shooter (MMOFPS) is a category of computer games that combines first-person shooter gameplay with a large number of simultaneous players over the Internet. ... This article is about video games. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Categories: Stub | Massively multiplayer online games ... (Redirected from 10SIX) Project Visitor has been recognized as the first massively multiplayer online game with both first-person shooter and real-time strategy elements. ... Project Visitor has been recognized as the first massively multiplayer online game with both first-person shooter and real-time strategy elements. ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... World War II Online: Battleground Europe, commonly referred to as WWIIOL:BE, WW2OL or BE is a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter computer game (MMOFPS) set in 1940-43 World War II Europe. ... PlanetSide is a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter computer game published by Sony Online Entertainment and released on May 19, 2003. ...

Screenshot from Shattered Galaxy This is a screenshot of a copyrighted website, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. ... Screenshot from Shattered Galaxy This is a screenshot of a copyrighted website, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. ... Shattered Galaxy is a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy that was released in 2001 by Nexon Inc. ... Categories: Stub | Computer and video game genres | Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy games ...

MMO Real-time strategy

Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy games, also known as MMORTS, are games that combine real-time strategy (RTS) with a persistent world. Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy (MMORTS) is a genre of online computer game that combines real-time strategy (RTS) with a large number of simultaneous players over the Internet. ... -1... Categories: Stub | Computer and video game genres | Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy games ... -1... A type of video game in which the game automatically loads adjacent rooms while you explore the one you are in. ...

MMO Rhythm game

Massively Multiplayer Online Rhythm Games (MMORGs), sometimes called Massively Multiplayer Online Dance Games (MMODGs) are MMOGs that are also Music video games. This idea was influenced by Dance Dance Revolution. Open source music video game StepMania A music video game, also commonly known as a music game or rhythm game, is a video game where the gameplay is oriented almost entirely around the players ability to follow a musical beat and stay with the rhythm of the games... This article is about the Dance Dance Revolution series. ...

MMO Manager game

MMOMGs, or massively multiplayer online manager games, are considered easy to play and don't take much time. The player logs in few times per week, sets orders for the in-game team and find how to defeat human opponents and their strategies. The most popular MMOMG is Hattrick. For other uses, see Hat Trick (disambiguation). ...

MMO Racing

MMOR means Massively multiplayer online racing. Currently there are only a small number racing based MMOs, including Kart Rider, Upshift StrikeRacer, Test Drive Unlimited, Project Torque and Drift City. The Trackmania series comes close to being an MMOR. Although Darkwind: War on Wheels is more combat based than racing, it is also considered an MMOR. Kart Rider is a videogame on personal computers that is popular in South Korea. ... UpShift StrikeRacer is a free to play massively multiplayer online game, developed by Gala-Net and published by GPotato. ... Test Drive Unlimited is an arcade-style racing game that features over 125 licensed sports cars and motorcycles and a terrain modeled after the Hawaiian island of Oahu that features some 1000 miles of roads and highways. ... Drift City, also known as Skid Rush in Korea, is a Korean-developed game published in America 1 August 2007 by NHN. This game combines the features of an RPG with the features of a racing game. ... TrackMania is a successful series of arcade racing games for Windows, which include stunting with cars, track-building, elements from puzzle games, as well as elements testing the players dexterity. ...

MMO Tycoon game

Massively multiplayer online tycoon game. Online versions of tycoons games. Mainly, MMOTG's are browser based though there are two client based games, Starpeace and Industry Player. StarPeace is a MMORTS (Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy) PC game, in which players help build up the development of a massive world along with thousands of other players. ...

MMO Social game

Massively Multiplayer Online Social Games focus on socialization instead of objective-based gameplay. There is a great deal of overlap in terminology with "Online Communities" and "Virtual Worlds". This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

One example that has garnered widespread media attention is Linden Labs' Second Life, emphasizing socializing, world-building and an in-world virtual economy that depends on the sale and purchase of user-created content. It is technically an MMOSG by definition, though its stated goal was to realize the concept of the Metaverse from Neal Stephenson's novel Snow Crash^{[citation needed]}. Instead of being based around combat, one could say that it was based around the creation of virtual objects, including models and scripts. In practice, it has more in common with Club Caribe than Everquest. It was the first game of its kind to achieve widespread success (including attention from mainstream media); however, it was not the first (as Club Caribe was released in 1988). Competitors in this relatively new subgenre (non-combat-based MMORPG) include There, Dotsoul and Furcadia. The PlayStation HOME coming soon is also another MMOSG of sorts. Second Life (abbreviated as SL) is an Internet-based virtual world launched in 2003, developed by Linden Research, Inc (commonly referred to as Linden Lab), which came to international attention via mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007. ... The term metaverse comes from Neal Stephensonâ€™s 1992 novel Snow Crash, and is now widely used to describe the vision behind current work on fully immersive 3D virtual spaces. ... Neal Town Stephenson (born October 31, 1959) is an American writer, known primarily for his science fiction works in the postcyberpunk genre with a penchant for explorations of society, mathematics, currency, and the history of science. ... Snow Crash is Neal Stephensons third science fiction novel, published in 1992. ... Club Caribe was one of the first graphical online worlds. ... EverQuest, often called EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that was released on March 16, 1999. ... There is a 3-D online virtual world created by Will Harvey and Jeffrey Ventrella. ... DotSoul is an immersive 3D Virtual Reality MMORPG open to those who observe its Code. ... Furcadia is an MMOSG (Massively Multiplayer Online Social Game), set in a fantasy world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. ...

MMO Virtual sex game

A Massively Multiplayer Online Virtual Sex Game (MMOVSG) is a MMOG, that supports simulation of virtual sexual intercourse between Player characters. All of these games belong categorical to one of the specific MMOG subtypes like MMORPG (MMO role-playing game) or MMOSG (MMO social game), the umbrella term MMOVSG summarizes games across MMOG subtypes that support sexuality. Some of these games even give primacy to some aspect of sex or sexuality. A massive multiplayer online game (MMOG) is a type of computer game that enables hundreds or thousands of players to simultaneously interact in a game world they are connected to via the Internet. ... It has been suggested that Duration of sexual intercourse be merged into this article or section. ... This article or section should include material from Playable character A player character or playable character (PC for short) is a fictional character in a game, usually a role-playing game (RPG), that is controlled by one of the players. ... A massive multiplayer online game (MMOG) is a type of computer game that enables hundreds or thousands of players to simultaneously interact in a game world they are connected to via the Internet. ...

Player characters interact with one another in a virtual world having cybersex in an enhanced way of doing. Sexual interactions vary from simple chat functionalities to realistic 3D sex environments supporting sex toys and Voice over IP. Red Light Center (RLC) is a privately owned Massively Multi-User Reality (sm) site that was made available to the public early in 2006 by Utherverse, Inc. ... This article or section should include material from Playable character A player character or playable character (PC for short) is a fictional character in a game, usually a role-playing game (RPG), that is controlled by one of the players. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Webcam Cybersex, computer sex, internet sex or net sex is a virtual sex encounter in which two or more persons connected remotely via a computer network send one another sexually explicit messages describing a sexual experience. ... An overview of how VoIP works A typical analog telephone adapter for connecting an ordinary phone to a VoIP network Ciscos implementation of VoIP - IP Phone Voice over Internet Protocol, also called VoIP (pronounced voyp), IP Telephony, Internet telephony, Broadband telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband is the...

Other acronym variants are Massively Multiplayer Online Erotic Game (MMOEG) and partially Adult Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (AMMORPG).

Real-world simulations

Some MMOGs have been designed to accurately simulate certain aspects of the real world. They tend to be very specific to industries or activities of very large risk and huge potential loss, such as rocket science, airplanes, battle tanks, submarines etc. Gradually as simulation technology is getting more mainstream, so too various simulators arrive into more mundane industries.

The initial goal of World War II Online was to create a map (north western Europe) that had real world physics (gravity, air/water resistance, etc), and ability for players to have some strategic abilities to its basic FPS/RPG role. While the current version is not quite a true simulated world (lacking a minor details like weather), it is very complex and contains the largest persistent world of any game. World War II Online: Battleground Europe, commonly referred to as WWIIOL:BE, WW2OL or BE is a massively multiplayer online first-person shooter computer game (MMOFPS) set in 1940-43 World War II Europe. ...

The MMOG genre of air traffic simulation is one example, with networks such as VATSIM and IVAO striving to provide rigorously authentic flight-simulation environments to players in both pilot and air traffic controller roles. In this category of MMOGs, the objective is to create duplicates of the real world for people who cannot or do not wish to undertake those experiences in real life. For example, flight simulation via an MMOG requires far less expenditure of time and money, is completely risk-free, and is far less restrictive (fewer regulations to adhere to, no medical exams to pass, and so on). The Virtual Air Traffic Flight Simulation Network (VATSIM) is a world-wide network for virtual air traffic simulation. ... IVAO, or the International Virtual Aviation Organisation, is an on-line Internet non-profit organisation dedicated to providing flight simulator enthusiasts from around the globe with access to servers that allow them to fly online, using real weather and air traffic control IVAO creates an on-line virtual world of... A flight simulator is a system that tries to replicate, or simulate, the experience of flying an airplane as closely and realistically as possible. ...

Another specialist area is mobile telecoms operator (carrier) business where billion-dollar investments in networks are needed but marketshares are won and lost on issues from segmentation to handset subsidies. A specialist simulation was developed by Nokia called Equilibrium/Arbitrage to have over a two day period five teams of top management of one operator/carrier play a "wargame" against each other, under extremely realistic conditions, with one operator an incumbent fixed and mobile network operator, another a new entrant mobile operator, a third a fixed-line/internet operator etc. Each team is measured by outperforming their rivals by market expectations of that type of player. Thus each player has drastically different goals, but within the simulation, any one team can win. Also to ensure maximum intensity, only one team can win. Telecoms senior executives who have taken the Equilibrium/Arbitrage simulation say it is the most intense, and most useful training they have ever experienced. It is typical of business use of simulators, in very senior management training/retraining.

Others

A large number of games categorize under MMOBBG (BBG meaning Bulletin Board Game; very similar to MMOBBRPGs), having the entire game primarily made up of text and descriptions, although images are often used to enhance the game.

Most other MMOGs are apparently simulation games, such as Motor City Online, The Sims Online (though this is often called an MMORPG), and Jumpgate. Motor City Online was a racing game/MMOG released by EA Games. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

In April 2004, the United States Army announced that it is developing a massively multiplayer training simulation called AWE (asymmetric warfare environment) that was expected to begin operation among soldiers by June. The purpose of AWE is to train soldiers for urban warfare and there are no plans for a public commercial release. Forterra Systems Inc. is developing it for the Army based on the There engine. [1] Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Army is the largest, and by some standards oldest, established branch of the armed forces of the United States and is one of seven uniformed services. ... Asymmetric warfare originally referred to war between two or more actors or groups whose relative power differs significantly. ... Urban warfare is a modern warfare conducted in urban areas such as towns and cities. ... Creators of There. ... A game engine is the core software component of a computer video game or other interactive application with real-time graphics. ...

Alternate reality games (ARGs) can be massively multiplayer, allowing thousands of players worldwide to co-operate in puzzle trails and mystery solving. ARGs take place in a unique mixture of online and real-world play that usually does not involve a persistent world, and are not necessarily multiplayer, making them different from MMOGs. Alternate Reality, see Alternate Reality (computer game). ... A type of video game in which the game automatically loads adjacent rooms while you explore the one you are in. ...

Considered by some to be an MMORPG, Castle Infinity was the first MMOG developed for children. Its gameplay, however, is somewhere between puzzle and adventure, making it more like a massively multiplayer platformer than an MMORPG. A screenshot of the Central Fountain Castle Infinity is a freeware game developed by Castle Infinity, Inc. ... Minesweeper, a popular computer puzzle game found on many machines. ... This article is about the computer and video game genre. ... A simple platform sequence from the game Wonder Boy Platform game, or platformer, is a video game genre characterized by jumping to and from suspended platforms or over obstacles. ...

"Quick fix" MMOGs, such as Racing Frogs are MMOGs that can be played with only a small amount of time every day. Racing Frogs logo Racing Frogs is a Quick Fix Massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) developed and run by Wacky Web Fun Ltd. ...

MMOPGs, or Massively Multiplayer Puzzle Games, are games based entirely on puzzle elements. It is usually set in a world where the players can access the puzzles around the world. Most games that are MMOPGs are hybrids with other genres.

There are also Massively Multiplayer Collectible Card Games: Magic: The Gathering Online, Astral Masters and Astral Tournament. Other MMOCCGs might exist (Neopets has some CCG elements) but are not as well known. Magic: The Gathering Online is the Online version of Magic The Gathering. ... For the company of Neopets, see Neopets, Inc. ...

Some recent attempts to build peer-to-peer (P2P) MMOGs have been made. Outback Online may be the first commercial one [2], however, so far most of the efforts have been academic studies [3]. A P2P MMOG may potentially be more scalable and cheaper to build, but notable issues with P2P MMOGs include security and consistency control, which can be difficult to address given that clients are easily hacked. A peer-to-peer (or P2P) computer network is a network that relies on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants in the network rather than concentrating it in a relatively few servers. ...

Much like Adult movies and Adult video games, Massively multiplayer online virtual sex games or MMOVSG's represents MMOG's exclusively targeting adults for sexual content. Pornographic movies appeared shortly after the creation of the movie technology that made them possible. ... It has been suggested that Eroge be merged into this article or section. ... A Massively Multiplayer Online Virtual Sex Game (MMOVSG) is a MMOG, that supports simulation of virtual sexual intercourse between Player characters. ...

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