The Evolution of Online Multiplayer Games

Online multiplayer games are becoming more and more popular in recent years. It doesn’t matter what age group you belong to – players from all ages join these virtual worlds to have fun.

There are many popular games you can choose to join. Some of the more popular games include World of Warcraft, Starcraft, 2029 online, Everquest, and the more recent Evony.

Traditionally, players are required to buy the original CD. Each CD comes with an official activation key. In order to log on to the game servers to start playing, players have to enter the activation key to register an account. Without the official key, a player cannot log on to the game servers.

However, games have started to evolve with the growth of the Internet. Just a few short years ago, a CD is still required because there is no way for a player to download the resource intensive media files with limited bandwidth. As download speed has grown tremendously within a few short years, that need no longer exists. Players can now download huge installation files within minutes and install the games on their computers. They may then launch the game and start connecting to the game servers immediately.

Game developers have also discovered that they can now bypass the traditional distribution channels. In other words, they do not need brick and mortar stores to help them release a game. Everything can be done online.

Evony is a classic example. A player does not have to purchase anything from a retail store. The game acquires new players by advertising online through various advertising channels such as pay per click advertising. The game is free to join, and anyone can create an account and start playing within minutes.

The game continues to be free perpetually. Players are not required to make any purchase to continue playing the game. There is no trial period. So without any games to sell, how does the Company make money?

Evony makes money by selling virtual items to game players. If you are in a hurry to level up so that you can become more competitive in the game, you have to start making purchases. The moment your competitors become stronger, you have very little choice but to spend some money to strengthen your own economy. Otherwise, you’re just a sitting duck waiting to be demolished. You can choose to purchase special items such as weapons. You can also trade with other players and purchase entire accounts!

To a game player, whether it’s an account or a character, it takes time to level up. Level up may take weeks or months and hours and hours of game play. Some players are just too impatient to start from scratch. So they purchase characters or accounts from other players so that they can skip levels and proceed to the more challenging levels.

The better multiplayer gamers are often setup in such a way that the game play encourages players to form alliances. It is not uncommon to see a popular game having hundreds of private guilds. Some are so exclusive that they are by invitation only. Members of the guild help one another to overcome challenges in the game. The entire experience for such games are more fun, interactive, challenging, and enjoyable.