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. lambe77 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 lambe77 ,
real money can be deposited for game money and vice
versa.