Video games have been around for decades; from the popular pinball and pacman units sporadically sprinkled throughout bars and makeshift video game arcades to the inception of console gaming with Atari and Nintendo. For many, playing video games is a hobby and a way to unwind, providing hours of entertainment on a regular basis. Over the years, gaming has drastically evolved, and become a multi-billion dollar industry that stretches across the world. As gaming has continued to evolve, so has the the ever widening range of audiences in which it appeals to. There are games of all kinds that appeal to a wide range of people; from childrens learning platforms, to intense role-playing adventures for die-hard fans. Currently, multi-player online gaming is among one of the most popular forms of gaming, but how did it come to be such a sensation?
In the early 1990′s, gaming was quickly rising in popularity with the widespread appreciation for the Nintendo Entertainment System. This system introduced a vast array of popular titles that still exist today in one form or another. From role-playing games to popular side-scrolling strategic titles, the Nintendo set the stage of things to come.
As technology began getting more efficient and in tune with the gaming industry, new systems were introduced that put an emphasis on improved graphics. The 16-bit Genesis and Super Nintendo were among the most popular, and held their own through a good portion of the 1990s. As the increase in graphical intelligence began to become more prevalent, players were looking for additional ways to push the limits. Right around the time the demand began for multi-player network gaming, the computer was becoming more of a player in the video game industry, and the internet blew open the door for the potential in this new genre. As more people began connecting to the internet, developers began releasing multi-player first person shooters such as Quake, eventually moving into massive multi-player role-playing games. Currently, MMO RPGs are among one of the most widely played games in existence with games like World of Warcraft.

