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