A Guide to Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs)

MMORPGs, or Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games, have recently become very popular. There are many different types to choose from. Hopefully this guide will help you to choose one.

First thing you need to have is a broadband connection. MMORPGs do not run very well on a slow, dial-up connection. I also recommend at lease a 256MB graphics card and about 1GB of RAM.

Next you need to know that most MMORPGs charge a monthly fee. This ranges from about $10 to $15 per month, although many companies offer bulk monthly rates as well. You will need to determine if it is in your budget. A few do not require a monthly fee however they will release expansion packs which usually cost about $40-$50 per pack. These are typically released every three months. There are arguments on both sides on which is more cost effective. You'll have to decide what works for you.

Now that you have the equipment and the funding, you have to choose a game.

There are science fiction type games. For example, EVE Online is set in a fictional universe. You can fly and build space ships. You can fight aliens and other players. There are fantasy type games as well. For example, World of Warcraft or Everquest. You can learn magic, brandish swords, and defeat demons. Then there are the movie and book based games like Star War Galaxies and Lord of the Rings Online. Finally there are simulator versions like Second Life or Sims Online.

Once you have chosen a game you become a Noob or Newb, a new player in a game. It is not a bad thing, although some players are judgmental towards new players. Ask questions of those already in the game. They are usually very helpful. They were new once, too, and are happy to pass on and show off their knowledge. Also, pay attention in the chat n the game. You may learn something and not need to ask later when it comes up in game play.

I also suggest you join a group as soon as you learn how to do so. They are referred to as guilds, kinships, corporations, etc. They have different names, but they are all the same concept. They are groups of people who play together regularly and help each other out in times of need. It isn't mandatory that you stay with the same group through the life of your game. It is normal for people to flow from one group to another. So feel free to try several before you settle in.

You will need to learn the local customs. Just like every country has its own language, etiquette and traditions, so do MMORPGs. Some of the basic language is simply abbreviations of sentences just like in text messaging. "Where are you?" becomes "wru". "On my way" becomes "omw". However each game has its own unique language. For example, in EVE Online money is referred to as ISK where in Lord of the Rings Online they use the more traditional money like silver (s) and gold (g). You will have to learn your particular game's language as you play.

The most important thing to remember about MMORPGs is that they are very dynamic. People, places, and things change everyday. It can be that the game developers decide to change something or other players flood the market with a special item. So don't expect the world you log out of to be the same world you log into a week later.

Me? I just could not pick one. I play three.