Online game

An online game is a video game that you play over the Internet or another computer network. You can play online games on PCs, consoles, and mobile devices. There are many kinds of online games, such as first-person shooters, strategy games, and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG).

Online games need special servers to work, so they might not always be available.

Online games can be simple or have beautiful pictures and large virtual worlds. Some games have small online parts, like a leaderboard, while others need you to play against other people all the time. Many online games help people make new friends, and sometimes connect people who already know each other. Famous Twitch streamers and YouTubers can make a game very popular.

Online games are played by people of all ages and from many countries. They have also created new words and phrases that people use.

However, online gaming can sometimes have problems, like cyberbullying or concerns about spending too much time gaming. Still, many think that because players often don’t know each other, playing online can feel like playing against a computer program. Online games are made to be easy and fun for everyone, including people with disabilities.

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 a long time, many people thought most online game players were male. But now we know 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 started in 2002 for the original Xbox, letting players 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 changed to Nintendo Network for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. With the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo made Nintendo Switch Online to give online gaming services.

Browser games

Main article: Browser game

As web browsers got better, people made games that could be played right in a web browser using HTML and JavaScript. These games became more complex with technologies like Flash and Java, and many players enjoyed them.

Today, browser games use modern tools like Ajax and WebGL to make richer and more fun experiences. Some browser games are about virtual pets and are very popular with younger players.

Types of interactions

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

Online games have different ways for players to interact. In Player versus environment (PvE), players face challenges set by the computer. This is often seen in games where players explore new worlds and finish tasks. In Player versus player (PvP), players compete against each other in fun battles or games. Both ways make online gaming more exciting and interesting.

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 you can play on the Internet or other computer networks. People play them on computers, game consoles, and phones. There are many kinds of online games. Some games let players battle each other, while others let players build teams or join a big world with many other players.

Some online games are popular for competitions called e-sports. Games like Counter-Strike, Overwatch, League of Legends, and Fortnite Battle Royale have big tournaments with players from around the world. These games are fun to watch and play, and they help people 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. It stops people from copying or changing the game without permission. If someone breaks these rules, the game might give a warning or stop the player from playing.

Some online games let players chat with each other. Game makers and others are working to keep these chats safe and friendly. There are special people called Moderators who help make sure everyone plays nicely. Online games also need a rating label to help 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. Many online games stop making enough money, so the creators might decide to stop running the servers. This means players can no longer play the game. This can be sad because players 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 must have options to help players with disabilities. Developers can add tools like screen readers, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text. This makes games easier for everyone. They also give clear guides about these settings and offer help.

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