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Exploring Online Worlds
We like to say say "we're only human" but for millions of people the option exists to be an elf, orc, wookie or something completely new. These are people who take part in various virtual worlds, massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). The main thing that makes these games different from a game that you might play on your computer or Playstation / X-Box / Nintendo etc is the presence of thousands of other players with whom you interact. This lends the 'games' a greater degree of 'reality' and unpredictability - just like in real life and can lead to team-work and strategy. In addition the games have real community elements with forums and sometimes even 'events' where people get together in real-life.
Most MMOGs are subscription based although many have a free membership, often for a set trial period, which has limited abilities but to really get involved you will have to pay. The market for MMOGs in the West is now worth more than $1,000,000,0001. These worlds run 24-7 with people logging in from all over the world and have in-game helpers (sometimes called Game-Masters) that you can go to for help if you get stuck or if you feel someone is acting inappropriately.
Getting started generally means installing some software on your home PC (or other gaming platform), reading the guides and generating an avatar (character) to play with. Most games have getting started section which might even guide you through your first interactions with the game. Its also worth looking for the keyboard guide. Some worlds have a beginners area that you can use.
You will need:
- A broadband connection - the faster the better and a reasonably modern computer with a good graphics card. Check on the game's web site for detailed technical requirements.
- Time - like setting up in a new country it takes time to become acclimatised to your new 'world'.
- Money - most of these worlds require subscription and/or have some type of in-game currency which can be purchased.
Here are some MMOGs to try:
- World of Warcraft
- Fantasy themed MMORPG. Available in seven languages. Eight million subscribers worldwide including three million in the West, in which it has more than a 50% share of the market. Your avatar completes quests, battles enemies and learns new skills.
- RuneScape
- Medieval/Fantasy themed MMORPG. Nearly one million subscribers, although a free version of the game is available, supported by in-game advertising. As with World of Warcraft the goal is to build skills and abilities while completing quests.
- Final Fantasy Online
- Medieval/Fantasy theme. More than 500,000 people have subscribed, supports simultaneous multiplayer gaming across different platforms, meaning players using PC, PS2 and Xbox 360 can all play together online in the same game. Supports English, French and German.
- Star Wars Galaxies
- Science fiction theme: based on the Star Wars universe. Uses Flash and is based on Sony's station.com which also has other MMORPGs such as Matrix and EverQuest.
- Second Life
- Interact with people in an ever-expanding real-life based world, Second Life is not so much a game as an environment. What makes Second Life quite different is that 'players' can create objects from the 3-D cubes that make up everything in the virtual world, from the clothes that your avatar wears to entire islands, and they own the intellectual rights to that object. This has allowed Second Life to develop an economy that rivals that of some real-world countries as the linden dollar can be converted to real-world money. As a result a high degree of real-world cross-over exists in Second Life: companies and organisations have set up outposts in Second Life, using it for everything from a concert venue to a training environment. There's also teen second life for those under 18. Find out more about Second Life by reading one of the related blogs such as New World Notes or the Second Opinion, Second life's newsletter.
- Club Penguin
- One for the kids (designed for 8-14 year olds) - play with the other penguin-kids in this virtual arctic world. Opt for free membership to try it out but you need to pay a monthly fee to get your own igloo - some of this money goes to children's charities.
1. Virtual worlds are 'worth $1bn' BBC News Tuesday, 20 March 2007
