by Russell M. Stewart

Computer and online gaming are extremely popular now - so much so that they have become huge multimillion dollar businesses. There are different games for different audiences - for children and for adults - and new games are being designed every day. The two main kinds of games are Role Playing Games, or RPG - they can be played by a single player or a number of players, depending on the features of each game - and Massive Multi-Player Games, which are played by many players.

Participating in a role playing game means you assume the role of some fictitious character, often available in a specific collaborative storyline. While there are rules to follow, the player is given the freedom to choose from different actions, according to which the game will take shape and the results will occur. Improvisation is allowed within the rules and because of this, role playing games make for a great pastime.

The best part about RPG is that it is a lot of fun - more than competing with somebody, like other games, such as arcades and puzzles, in these role playing games, there are mostly times when you have to interact and form impromptu teams.

A role playing game can be played against your own computer or actual players in a network. They are played in sequence, somewhat like how television shows have episodes, role playing games also have sessions for play. Completing each session can take weeks or months, depending on the game and how you play it.

These role playing games always have specific characters and a developing plot, usually spanning over all the related sessions. New characters can be introduced as you go to higher levels in the game and the play intensity will grow too. Some RPG are based on creative imagination, such as Dungeons & Dragons, while others are sophisticated simulations of real-world happenings, such as Call of Duty.

You can choose what character you would like to be, but each character has certain predefined abilities and general characteristics. For example, with X-Men, the different characters will be very similar to the ones in the comic, with the same special abilities.

Compared to RPG games, Massive Multi-Player Games (MMP) need hundreds and thousands of players to achieve the game objectives. Complex and highly challenging, these MMP games are definitely not for individuals or two players.

The main differences between RPG and MMP are that MMP requires you to be online, pay a monthly subscription and be connected to hundreds and thousands of players at the same time. A popular MMP is EverQuest, a 3D fantasy-themed game set in an alternative universe. Another common name for MMP is Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPG).

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One Response to “RPG & MMP - Today’s Computer Gaming Champions”
  1. Great article 9/10! Bookmarked :)

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