With the advent of the Internet, online games have been played over computer networks. Over the year, the online gaming has expanded and provided a large influence to the overall expansion computer networks from the popular growth of Internet access itself and the local networks to the Internet.

These online games can vary from games that are text based to complex graphical and virtual games which are simultaneously populated by many players all over the world. Nowadays online gaming has become a social activity because of the online communities incorporated into the recent online games.

The rising popularity of flash and java and internet revolution made video streaming, audio streaming, and a whole new set of user interactivity possible. When Microsoft began including flash players as a pre-installed component of "internet explorer", the Internet shift from a data/information source to also offer on-demand entertainment.

Flash Players

When flash players were included into the internet explorers, it gave way for web sites to offer games to the web surfers. World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XI and Lineage II are among the most popular online games to date.

These games charge monthly fees to their subscribers so that they may be able to access the services and avail the services they need. However, games such as Guild Wars, do not charge monthly fees to their subscribers.

Massive Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG's)

With the advent of broadband internet access, massive multiplayer online games were made possible especially in developing countries. Using the internet, MMOGs became very popular to children, teens, and young adults because the internet allows thousands of players to play and participate in the same game at the same time.

Massive multiplayer online role-playing game (World of Warcraft), Massive multiplayer online real-time strategy (Mankind), and Massive multiplayer online first-person shooter (Dark Fall) are one of the most popular styles of MMOG's.

Pros and Cons of Online Games

Because of the growing access to broadband internet, gamers can play there favorite online role playing games from the comfort of their own home while interacting with the other gamers even without meeting them yet.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of playing online games at home:

Pros

Online games provide privacy. Online gaming can be played at home rather than go to internet caf