The past and future of MMOs

Hello out there,

MMOs are Massively Multiplayer Online games.

I’ve been playing them since I was around fifteen (1994). I started out playing MUDs which were MMOs but instead of graphics, they used words.

In a MUD you used your imagination rather than seeing a visual representation. MUDs being my first experience in the MMO scene has skewed my idea of what a good MMO can be. Most MUDs require you to type in ‘attack’ and then the name of the creature or player you want to attack. This functionality is pretty much the same thing that is happening in today’s MMORPGs. Just instead of typing it in you tap a button. It’s pretty neat because I feel I was able to see the back end of how games work.

I’ve played a lot of the great MMOs out there from shooters to the top tier MMORPGs. MMOs are a personal favorite style of gaming for me. The feeling that there are other people out there playing while I’m playing is fantastic.

The ability to help another person from your computer chair or a couch is amazing.

I don’t think kids from this generation really appreciate what is happening. They take it for granted because it’s something that has always existed for them.

In my early years, the only video game interaction I got was in arcades standing next to a stranger that happened to like the Ninja Turtles four-player game as much as I did.

I know I’m showing my age in today’s post but I think that’s okay. I’m happy to have lived through video gaming history.

Right now there’s a few MMOs out there that utilize Virtual Reality. VR is the obvious next step in gaming. We have these amazing headsets but VR still has a way to go before it’s accessible for everyone.

A few years back I started a VR story abo—

There it is. This is just a big advertisement for a story you’re writing.

No, not really Brain. It’s just an example. Anyways don’t interrupt me.

A few years back I started a VR story about a woman and her husband where their consciousness is redirected into a game world.

Like, Sword Art Online?

Yes, like Sword Art Online.

So, you’re ripping off Sword Art Onl—

No, the ‘Living in a video game’ genre is pretty big and by no means was SAO the first to invent it.

I’m of the opinion that the next big step into gaming is a redirected consciousness style system. In fact, there are some people out there that think that real life is a big simulated game world. There’s some pretty compelling evidence in their arguments too.

When this sort of technology comes out and I suspect that it will eventually. We could be anyone or be anything. Imagine learning how to walk for the first time as an ant. Learning how to fly like a bird or swim like a fish or even swap genders.

Tech like this will enable the human race to share recorded experiences. Imagine being able to feel the feelings someone is having during an exciting moment. It’s like twitch for your life.

Imagine being able to feel someone’s suffering. It could change things overnight for equality and poverty.

Anyways I know I’m veering off subject a bit but the things to come are amazing and I can’t wait to see them come to pass.

I hope you liked this little dive into my thoughts on MMOs and where they are headed.

I hope you have a great day!
Katherine