Virtual Reality Online Games

As the world gets hooked up, many are getting "hooked" on games. Of course, there are games. And then there are games.

The latest craze seems to be MMORPG games. These are Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, sometimes referred to as virtual reality online games. Some have sprung up only to sizzle out when they don't get enough business/players.

Copyright 2007, Linden Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SecondLife is the one I've heard most about lately. This role playing game by Linden Labs provides a world you can build on and in, and even make a little money with your virtual property. The money is Linden dollars which are convertible to and from common currency.

I know a guy that sells clothing in his SecondLife store. Virtual people need virtual clothes after all. He admits to playing in SecondLife for several hours per week, more when he can.

Other MMORPG games include Weblo - "Build your empire, have fun, make money". (Their line.) Then there is Simcountry where some "worlds" are at war, or not. Old world games include EverQuest and Lotro. Lotro is "Lord of the Rings Online". I'm sure there are more of these games around, or will be soon.

MMORPG games are often called fantasy games. You play in fake worlds or lands from the past, present, or future. They may be on other planets or in alternate universes. Since they are virtual, the situations are limitless, the players can be anything from people to animals to robot-like avatars and the worlds grow, and change, according to the players whims.

My son-in-law was once a real Internet junkie. He used to play EverQuest for so many hours that my daughter took issue with his "habit". Sure it was interesting and fun at first. She played it too for awhile. Then they had kids and she put her foot down. He still enjoys a poker tournament occasionally, but had to give up most of his Internet play time to be a good father and get some sleep.

I admit that I haven't played any of these MMORPG games and I don't want to. I can't imagine investing the time to play a never-ending game. I like games with time limits, high scores, and winners. But if you want to get into an MMORPG, you can escape into virtual reality and become a successful entrepreneur there, or just enjoy the ride.