In this day and age where you would find it near impossible to find a place that hasn't at least heard of a computer, you'd think that people would be a little more enlightened about aspects of computer related entertainment. For example, you still find people that believe computer games are something that lonely, socially inept nerds engage in instead of an actual life. Obviously they don't know about Multiplayer.
Multiplayer is exactly what it sounds like: Multi - player. It refers to the concept where more than one player can interact with the same game environment at the same time. In simple terms, that means its more than one individual can play the game together. The concept isn't new and it's an integral part of most games now, providing theoretically limitless amounts of fun once you're done playing by yourself.
The first game that could be considered a multiplayer game was Spacewar! which came out way back in 1962. The first emergence of a modern multiplayer game was in 1993 when the legendary Doom game released a "netplay" version that allowed 4 players to play simultaneously. The major multiplayer event was however in 1996, when a multiplayer version of Quake was released. This version allowed players to connect to a "server" which tracked the game environments, physics, and the players. Anyone with the same version of Quake could connect and play. Quake multiplayer was revolutionary for its time. This client-server structure is what is still used today. Soon afterwards many more publishers started emphasizing the multiplayer aspect with racing games and role-playing games like Diablo also joining the bandwagon. Game technology improved with each new game and the Internet boom, multiplayer gaming created a world of its own. Suddenly all you needed was a network or internet connection, the proper hardware and your game of choice to go head to head with real people and not just some machine. Players would use chat rooms, messengers, voice communication software, websites and forums to gather, discuss and organize games. Teams started forming and were called Clans. Clan challenges came about soon after, with players bragging about how good they were. If things were too difficult, you could get help and advice or even training. These people could be just next door or on the other side of the world. An entire new subculture was spawned and people from all walks of life joined in.
At present multiplayer gameplay is an integral part of any new game. What usually happens is someone buys a game, completes the single-player aspect of it and then looks around to see who he/ she can play multiplayer with. If you are adept at creating a small computer network, you could just invite a few buddies over with their computers, hook them up together and start playing. Or else there’s always the trusty internet. Usually the game publisher hosts their own multiplayer server to which you can gain access to after paying a monthly/annual subscription fee. Or you could always try and hook up to the almost infinite number of free private servers out there. These are servers that are hosted by private individuals for the sake of a good gaming experience. The major downside is that these aren't as secure as the "official" servers. Here's where your trusty community comes in. Through websites, forums and blogs you can meet others like you. Most of whom will probably be more experienced in the ways of the gaming world, and most of them will happily guide you.
The real social and community aspect of multiplayer can only really be assesses after experiencing an MMORPG; a Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game. These games are purely for online gaming only. In these games you play in a virtual world hosted on outside servers. These are complete virtual environments with nations, borders, races, social structures and economies. Your character truly lives in a virtual world earning money, facing enemies, learning skills and making friends. Yes, making friends, because most of the other characters you see in game will be another player just like you. Teamwork is possible and encouraged and you can see clans, guilds being created among friends.
With millions of users on MMORPGs ("World of Warcraft" hold the current record with over 10 million.) its not hard to think of it as a giant social network. So you can see that the computer game has turned into far more than some form of solitaire. Arguably you could have a more interseting set of friends online since you aren't held back by physical limitations. Games are now a true social experience. That being said, it is best if you did go outside that room once in a while. I'm sure your pals in China would understand. |
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