Multiplayer Online Games

The online age has introduced the concept of multiplayer games in which players don't have to be in the same room with one another. The most popular of these are Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs), in which players work together and against each other toward goals. The feeling of community and kindred interests are what draw players to multi-player online gaming. So strong is the pull of these games, players pay not only the price of the software but a monthly subscription fee to support the infrastructure. MMORPG sessions are said to last for hours. Voice and text communication make some of these games mature enterprises, not fit for children. Although the Xbox 360 is making some headway into the MMORPG realm, nearly all examples of the genre takes place on computers.

World of Warcraft : Players descend upon the mystical land of Azeroth. You take the battlefield, join guilds, venture out on quests and collect precious gold. This is the No. 1 MMORPG on the market.	Star Wars Galaxies : Every fan of the Star Wars franchise has imagined himself in the saga, but this game allows you to actually live the path of the Jedi. Command starcrafts and fight for the Empire or the Rebels.	The Matrix Online : Jack into the faux world created by machines to deceive captive humans. Meet up with characters from the motion picture trilogy, try to free minds and set your people free, all while doing some spectacular kung fu.	Dungeons & Dragons Online : Scores of self-professed geeks grew up playing D&D with a pen and pencil, and now a computer network does all the dirty work for you. Assume the identity of mystical creatures and go questing in dungeons.

Eve Online : Here's one for fans of science fiction and aircraft battle. Set in outer space, you try to work your way up the food chain by serving missions, collecting riches from mines and playing politics. The game is an excellent training regimen for the business world. Many call Eve the second best MMORG after World of Warcraft.	Final Fantasy XI : The series of grand role-playing epics makes an impressive move to the MMORPG arena. Interact with a world of magical, well-armored characters who specialize in various trades. Everyone wants a piece of the same pie -- to earn power, wealth and reputation -- but only the most shrewd consistently succeed.	City of Villains : Combined with its sister game, City of Heroes,  City of Villains provides the experience of daily life in a realm in which everyone has superpowers. The villains, of course, use theirs for evil, while the heroes try to top one another with righteousness. With either game you're in for a spandex-wearing good time.	EverQuest 2 : Before World of Warcraft took over the crown, EverQuest owned the online realm of sword and sorcery. The tricked-out sequel has much to offer for hardcore gamers who stuck by the franchise.

External Links

• GameSpot -- One of the top gaming resources on the net.
• IGN -- Covers video games as well as the rest of the entertainment world.
• Game Informer -- An excellent video game magazine's home page.
• Top MMORPGs -- Mini-reviews of the top MMORPGs out there.