| A fair number of internet users spend time playing | | | | exist as well. |
| computer games. There are many kinds of games | | | | Modern Internet Gaming |
| available online. MMPORGs, or massive multiplayer | | | | Today websites are offering more than ever to |
| online role-playing games, are immensely popular, but | | | | enthusiastic gamers. For years the best games were |
| there are other games online that have just as many | | | | reserved for those who took the time to register or |
| fans. Internet gaming is changing, however. And | | | | pay to access a certain website or get access to |
| fortunately for the gamers out there, the change is | | | | downloads. Memberships ranged in price, but many |
| making better games more accessible than ever. | | | | were willing to pay to have access to the best |
| The History of Gaming | | | | graphics and cutting-edge technology. |
| Games as a form of entertainment have existed for | | | | Gaming sites have begun to realize that restricting |
| countless generations. As we have found more leisure | | | | access isn't working as well as they would like. Piracy |
| time, we have enjoyed more games. In the last fifty | | | | and blatant theft have cheapened the value of the |
| years games have developed at record speed. Card | | | | membership or downloadable games. Some individuals |
| and board games are still popular, but have given way | | | | pay to access or download a particular game only to |
| to a huge wave of internet and personal computer | | | | copy it and sell or give it to others. This frustrated the |
| gaming. | | | | game producers immensely. |
| The first computer games were developed in the | | | | So they came up with the best solution they could. If |
| 1960s and 1970s, although the original idea of a video | | | | they can't control the distribution of a paid game, they |
| game was patented in 1948. The games were simple | | | | would simply make it free. Gaming sites are moving |
| in nature and restricted to special kinds of computers. | | | | away from downloadable games and instead focusing |
| Then, as personal computers developed, games such | | | | on game play directly online. Many still encourage or |
| as Spacewar! and King's Quest became popular. | | | | require a registration of some kind, but you are no |
| Computer games advanced with new technology | | | | longer required to purchase and download large files to |
| such as the joystick and other peripherals as well as | | | | experience the ultimate gaming these sites have to |
| advanced 3D graphics. Tomb Raider was one of the | | | | offer. |
| first PC game to use 3D graphics, and the realism of | | | | Advances in technology are accelerating and this |
| games then increased exponentially. | | | | includes games. Graphics and elements using Flash or |
| With the advent of the internet, gaming took another | | | | Shockwave have made computer games almost |
| turn. Games were now available on countless | | | | lifelike. Designers and companies spend hundreds of |
| websites. Some games were free to users to be | | | | dollars and hours to create these games only to be |
| played directly on the site. Many more were available | | | | slapped in the face by theft and copyright infringement. |
| for download after registering or paying a fee. The | | | | The game creators are slapping back at pirates by |
| internet was also the medium needed to expand | | | | hitting them where it hurts. A pirate can't sell a great |
| traditional PC games. MMPORG games exploded | | | | game if it happens to be available free online. And that |
| thanks to the internet, and smaller, but still social, games | | | | is a great perk for the rest of us. |