| Introduction: Over the last few years we have | | | | Online Gaming: Broadband speeds have risen to a |
| seen internet technology improving at a dramatic | | | | level where not only have you got online socialising |
| pace, from the introduction of broadband to the | | | | communities but also intense online gaming. MMOG |
| success of wireless connections. People now have | | | | (Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming) is a |
| the ability to discover new worlds from the | | | | computer game which is capable of supporting |
| comfort of their own living room. As broadband | | | | hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. |
| speeds have got faster, we have seen the | | | | MMOGs can enable players to cooperate and |
| introduction of 3D virtual worlds. All that is needed | | | | compete with each other on a grand scale, and |
| is; a computer, broadband and your imagination will | | | | sometimes to interact meaningfully with people |
| take care of the rest. | | | | around the world. |
| Virtual Reality: Virtual worlds allow the broadband | | | | Good or Bad? Even though the ability is there to |
| user to recreate a virtual replica of them. Once | | | | socialise in the virtual world, this may cause |
| created, the user can go out for a stroll, spend | | | | concern to parents. Countries like South and North |
| their virtual money on items like clothing and meet | | | | Korea have had broadband for almost 15 years; |
| new people; some virtual worlds even allow the | | | | therefore broadband speeds are of greater |
| ability to fly, making a visit to a new country as | | | | quality than the UK. This may sound great, but |
| easy as a stroll in the park. | | | | this has opened the opportunity of online gaming |
| Virtual Marketing: The growth in popularity has | | | | become so popular that it is looked at as a |
| risen at such a level that virtual marketing has | | | | profession. Top gamers may spend up to 15 |
| been formed. Last year (2006), a company called | | | | hours a day in their room practicing for their next |
| Millions of Us was founded, this is an agency | | | | tournament. These gamers may get paid |
| specialising in virtual world marketing and | | | | hundreds of thousands a year and wear |
| communication campaigns. The agencies clients | | | | sponsored clothes that you may find on a formula |
| include the likes of Warner Bros, Intel, and | | | | one driver. |
| Microsoft. | | | | |