| The introduction of computer games has changed | | | | come of age in that they are no longer played on a |
| that early fact significantly. Computer games have | | | | one to one basis i.e. human player versus computer. |
| added a fresh dimension to the way in which both | | | | Today we have the Massively Multi-Player Online Role |
| children and adults play either individually or | | | | Playing Game (MMORPG) which allows for a large |
| collectively. | | | | number of players to interact on a virtual world. |
| In addition computer games such as World of | | | | The most popular MMORPG computer game on the |
| Warcraft Gold (WOW Gold), Guild Wars, Final | | | | planet is possibly not the one most people |
| Fantasy and Dungeons and Dragons have also | | | | automatically expect - WOW Gold is certainly hugely |
| broadened the perspective of players by introducing | | | | successful with around 8 million players world-wide |
| them to a scenario whereby resources, supplies and | | | | while Everquest a 3D fantasy game attracts around |
| a variety of strengths and weaknesses of available | | | | half a million players. It would be remiss not to |
| manpower and weapons perform to create a | | | | mention the long time favourite Dungeons and |
| strategic environment in which the skill and mastery | | | | Dragons which has attracted more than 20 million |
| of strategic thinking becomes necessary in order to | | | | players world-wide and is recognized in the industry |
| win. | | | | as the game that triggered the mushroom of |
| War has always been one of the most popular | | | | strategy games that now surrounds us. |
| games played by children and no self-respecting male | | | | However the most played game on the planet is |
| adult will likely have grown into adulthood without | | | | none of these. In 1998 a game called Lineage entered |
| possessing a few fond memories of his toys soldiers. | | | | the market and since then has attracted in excess of |
| Computer games have added the dimension that | | | | 30 million players world-wide. Lineage originates from |
| was always missing with toy soldiers by bringing to | | | | South Korea and is a medieval fantasy strategy |
| life the characters that once required human | | | | based game that utilizes elves, knights, wizards and |
| imagination to conjure with. Computer games also | | | | prince/princess characters. As an MMORPG - Lineage |
| provide realistic landscapes, strategic maps and an | | | | has proved very successful and its development into |
| assortment of weaponry that begins with a club and | | | | Lineage II has progressed with new updates and |
| continues into a future that can only be speculated. | | | | expansion packs every six months. Lineage II was |
| Coincidentally that speculation is the result of the | | | | introduced into the United States in 2004 and by |
| imagination of an inventor who themselves probably | | | | December of that year the "Chronicle II: Age of |
| have fond memories of toy soldiers and who simply | | | | Splendour" update/expansion pack arrived. By |
| wanted to go one step further and provided the | | | | September 2006 "Chronicle 5: Oath of Blood" was |
| virtual reality in which to do so. | | | | being marketed. However the next update is being |
| Today strategic or role playing computer games are | | | | marketed under a new banner as "Lineage II - The |
| a dominant feature found inside every computer | | | | Chaotic Throne" and is referred to as Interlude. |
| games store. Importantly computer games have | | | | |