OMG it’s an MMOG!

Social and Economic Evolution of Online Gaming

Puzzle Pirates

cUrrent MMOGs

Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG or MMO) are computer games which are capable of supporting hundreds to thousands of players simultaneously.  Certain MMOG’s require a monthly fee for online pay, others require only the purchase of the game, while others are freeware (NavyField).  

The styles and types of MMOG differ greatly.  They range from battling other players, to working cooperatively with others, and to a varying combination between those.   

 

Types of MMOGs:

 

MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game)

This is the most famous and popular type of MMOG.  This includes such famous games as Everquest, World of Warcraft, and The Sims.

 

MMOFPS (Massively Multiplayer Online First Person Shooter)

This includes games as World War II Online, PlanetSide, and Neocron. These are often on an incredible scale, with  battles persisting twenty fours hours a day, seven days a week. 

 

MMORTS (Massively Multiplayer Online Real-Time Strategy)

These are often games which are military based such as Starcraft, Dreamlords, and Mankind.

 

MMODG (Massively Multiplayer Online Dance Game)

The roots of the Online Dance game can be traced back to Dance, Dance Revolution.  Today, only three of these games exist: Dance! Online, O2 Jam, and Audition Online.

 

MMOMG (Massively Multiplayer Online Manager Game)

Relatively speaking, this MMOG requires much less time than the other genres.  The player needs to only to “play” the game by changing existing orders, pay for employees, and other criteria that generate revenue for his company.  The game continues playing, even when the player is not present. 

 

MMORG (Massively Multiplayer Online Racing Game)

Games included here are: RaceLands, KongKong Online, Test Drive Unlimited, and Kart Rider.  Also, Auto Assault and Darkwind: War on Wheels could be included in this category, although they tend to primarily focus on battle rather than racing. 

 

MMOTG (Massively Multiplayer Online Tycoon Game)

Games: Starpeace and Industry Player.

 

MMOSG (Massively Multiplayer Online Social Game)

Games: Habbo Hotel, Furcadia, Barbie Girls, Nicktropolis, and Club Penguin.  These games tend to focus primarily on the social interaction between the computer and other people. 

 

MMOSG (Massively Multiplayer Online Sports Game)

 Games: Shot Online or Ultimate Baseball Online. 

 

MMOSG (Massively Multiplayer Online Strategy Game)

These games are more move based rather than real time strategy, which requires quick mouse clicking.  This type of strategy requires careful planning and some patience. 

 

MMOVSG (Massively Multiplayer Online Virtual Sex game)

Online sex games have even made their way onto the market.  These are more of a subcategory of other games.  There is no game in existence yet which functions primarily for virtual sexual intercourse.  Games classified as MMOVSG tend to be games that have aspects which promote, but are not entirely based upon, virtual sexual intercourse.  Games: Sociolotron(MMORPG), Red Light Center (MMOSG).

 

MMCAP (Massively Multiplayer Collaborative Art Projects)

These genre is typically browser based. This type of MMOG creates a strong focus of collaboration and cooperation between online participants.  Games: TheBroth and DeviantArt.

 

MMORWSG (Massively Multiplayer Online Real World Simulation Game)

This type of MMOG is catered specifically to those areas which are of interest to the online player.  They often include areas which are too dangerous, expensive, or time consuming to actually participate in.  The most popular example might be a real world flight simulator, which includes real human air traffic controllers who direct the air traffic.

 

Note: Because of a lack of academic definitions, these definitions are taken from the general public’s definitions, which can be found here.  This section is strongly based upon this article.

Everquest in game screenshot.

World War II Online

The incredibly popular Starcraft.

Test Drive Unlimited

Club Penguin

Online sex based games are becoming increasingly popular.

MMOGs are available for collectively creating artistic drawings.