Basic MMORPG concepts

Massively multiplayer online roleplaying games, or MMORPG for short, are big business nowadays. World of Warcraft boats a huge player base, but even smaller games like City of Heroes and Star Trek Online don't do too badly for themselves. If you're not familiar with some basic MMORPG concepts or maybe just need a refresher course, head over to my Examiner.com column and check out my new series of articles on these concepts.

Internet security & MMORPGs

Learn why internet security can be such a big problem when it comes to players of MMORPGs. Hacking an MMORPG game account may not seem worth it to you, but there are some fringe benefits that come with the theft.

Business models & MMORPGs

There's more than one way to pay for game development. Most games use the traditional monthly payment system, but this is changing as more and more games go "free-to-play." However, there's a catch with many "free-to-play" games.

Genre & MMORPGs

MMORPGs used to be set entirely in the fantasy genre. This is changing, as science fiction, super heroes, and even sports genres come into play.

Money & MMORPGs

Money systems exist in nearly every MMORPG. Learn about the problems that can come about because of money and loot.

Community & MMORPGs

Learn about what makes MMORPGs stand out from single-player games: the sense of community that having dozens or hundreds or thousands of other people around brings.

Leveling & MMORPGs

Character advancement is handled by gaining experience points (XP) in most MMORPGs. Learn how XP is gained, as well as the various "death penalties" imposed in some games for losing/dying.