


In almost all MMORPGs, a primary goal is the development of the player’s character. The elements are developed using scenes and similar tasks that involve monsters, quests, and loot. Even thematic materials from the legends, myths, fairy tales, comic books, and other genres are used by some MMORPGs. Hybrid themes are used by some that either substitute or combine elements of fantasy with those of crime fiction, sword and sorcery, steampunk or science fiction. The games are usually set in a universe similar to that of classic RPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons. Traditional fantasy themes are what most of the well-liked MMORPGs are based on. As of March 2011, over 11 million people are subscribed to the extremely popular MMORPG World of Warcraft.

In 2006, consumer spending in the West on subscription MMORPGs rose to more than $1.4 billion. Revenues around the world for these virtual games surpassed the half-billion dollar mark in 2005. The data about the game is stored on a server or servers which are normally hosted by its publisher.Īcross the globe, MMOs are being played by millions of avid fans. The game still evolves and continues to exist even when the player is away from the game and not online. Just like in all other types of role-playing games, character roles, usually from a world of fantasy, are assumed by players who take control over many of the character’s actions.Īside from the number of players, MMORPGs can be distinguished from small multi-player RPGs and those played by single players by the persistent world of the game. MMORPG is an acronym for “massively multiplayer online role-playing games,” a genre in computer gaming where the interaction among a huge number of players within the game’s virtual world happens.
