Online game

An online game is a video game that is either partially or primarily played through the Internet or any other computer network available. Online games are played on many devices, such as PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. They come in many types, including first-person shooters, strategy games, and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG).

In 2019, online games made $16.9 billion in money around the world. Unlike games you buy in a store, online games need special servers to work, so they might not always be playable forever.

Online games can be very simple or have beautiful pictures and big virtual worlds. Some just have small online parts, like a leaderboard, while others need you to play against other people all the time. Many online games create their own groups of friends, and some connect people you already know from real life. Famous Twitch streamers and YouTubers can make a game very popular.

Online gaming has changed how people think about video games. People of all ages and from many countries play these games. Scientists study what happens in online games to learn about real-life behavior. Online games have also created new words and phrases that people use, both in and out of games. Some games even start popular internet memes.

However, online gaming can sometimes have problems, like cyberbullying or concerns about gaming addiction. Still, many believe that because players usually don’t know each other well, playing online might feel similar to playing against a computer program. Online games are also made to be easy for everyone, including people with disabilities, to enjoy.

History

Main article: History of online games

Online games have been around since the 1970s, when computers first started connecting to each other. One of the earliest examples was MUD1, created in 1978. As the Internet became more common in the 1990s, many new online games appeared, like Ultima Online and StarCraft.

In the 2000s, games like World of Warcraft became very popular. New types of games, such as multiplayer online battle arena games like League of Legends, also emerged. More recently, games like Fortnite Battle Royale have attracted millions of players worldwide.

Demographics

For many years, people thought that most online game players were male. However, recent data shows that women make up more than half of the players in some games. In 2019, the average age of a gamer was 33 years old.

A report predicted that by 2017, the worldwide revenue from online games would grow to $35 billion, up from $19 billion in 2011.

Platforms

Console gaming

Main articles: Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Nintendo Switch Online

Xbox Live began in November 2002 for the original Xbox, allowing players to connect online. Before this, players used a feature called system link to connect consoles with an Ethernet cable. Similar online services came later for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable as the PlayStation Network.

Nintendo offered online gaming for the Wii and Nintendo DS through Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. This was replaced by Nintendo Network for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. With the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo introduced Nintendo Switch Online to provide online gaming services.

Browser games

Main article: Browser game

As web browsers improved, people began creating games that could be played right in a web browser using technologies like HTML and JavaScript. These games grew more complex with technologies like Flash and Java, becoming very popular. Many of these games were shared on websites and enjoyed by many players.

Today, browser games use modern technologies like Ajax and WebGL to create more advanced and interactive experiences. Some browser games focus on virtual pets and are especially popular with younger players.

Types of interactions

Main article: Player versus environment
Main article: Player versus player

Online games can have different ways for players to interact. In Player versus environment (PvE), players fight against computer-controlled characters or challenges. This is common in games where players explore worlds and complete quests. In Player versus player (PvP), players compete against each other, testing their skills in direct battles or competitions. Both types of interactions add excitement and variety to online gaming.

Online games

Main article: First-person shooter
Main article: Real-time strategy
Main article: Massively multiplayer online game
Main article: Multiplayer online battle arena
Main article: Battle royale game
Main article: Multi-user dungeon

Online games are video games that you can play over the Internet or other computer networks. They are popular on many devices, like computers, game consoles, and phones. There are many types of online games, including first-person shooters where players battle each other, real-time strategy games where players build and command armies, and massively multiplayer games where thousands of players can join the same world.

Some online games are very popular for competitions called e-sports. For example, games like Counter-Strike, Overwatch, League of Legends, and Fortnite Battle Royale have big tournaments with players from all over the world. These games are fun to watch and play, and they bring people together to enjoy gaming together online.

Online game governance

When players start an online game, they usually need to agree to something called an End-user license agreement (EULA). This is a set of rules between the game makers and the players to stop people from copying or changing the game without permission. If someone breaks these rules, the game might give a warning or even stop the player from playing.

Some online games let players chat with each other, and sometimes people say unkind or hurtful things. Game makers and others are working on ways to keep these chats safe and friendly. There are also special people called Moderators who help make sure everyone plays nicely. Online games also need to have a rating label to let families know if a game is right for their children. These ratings range from "E" for Everyone to "M" for Mature, which means it's for players over 17. Some games might even have an "AO" rating, meaning they are only for adults over 18.

Shutdown of games

The video game industry is very competitive, so many online games stop making enough money. When this happens, the creators might decide to stop running the servers for the game. This means players can no longer play the game, which can be disappointing because they may have spent a lot of time and effort earning items for their characters.

Sometimes, a game that was shut down comes back in a new and improved way. For example, Final Fantasy XIV was not well-liked when it first came out in 2010, but it was relaunched as A Realm Reborn in 2013 and became very popular. Another game, Splitgate: Arena Warfare, changed to a free-to-play model in 2021 and gained many new players. However, not all games succeed even after a relaunch. Evolve and Anthem tried to change their games but ultimately stopped running their servers.

Accessibility for players with disabilities

In the United States, online games with chat features must include options to help players with disabilities. Developers can add tools like screen readers, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text to make games easier for everyone. They also provide clear guides about accessibility settings and offer customer support.

Players with disabilities sometimes create their own ways to enjoy games better. This can include using special hardware or joining online servers that change the game to suit their needs.