MMORPG

A massively (or massive) multiplayer online role-playing game or MMORPG is a multiplayer computer role-playing game that enables thousands of players to play in an evolving virtual world at the same time over the Internet. MMORPGs are a specific type of massively multiplayer online game (MMOG).

Overview

MMORPGs follow a client-server model. Players, running the client software, are represented in the game world by an avatar — a graphical representation of the character they play. Providers (usually the game's publisher), host the persistent worlds these players inhabit. This interaction between a virtual world, always available for play, and an ever-changing, world-wide stream of players characterizes the Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game.

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Once a player enters the gameworld, they can engage in a variety of activities with other players from all over the world. MMORPG developers are in charge of supervising the virtual world and offering the users a constantly updated set of new activities and enhancements to guarantee the interest of their customers.

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Because most MMORPGs are commercial, players must purchase the client software, pay a monthly fee to access the virtual world, or both. There are free-of-charge online games found on the Internet, although their production quality is generally lower compared to their "pay-to-play" counterparts.

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MMORPGs are immensely popular, with several commercial games reporting over 200,000 subscribers. South Korea boasts the highest subscription numbers, with millions of registered users for a few popular games (see list of MMORPGs).

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