Why Mmos Are So Popular?

What is it about MMORPGs that have captivated so many of us for so many years?. If you aren't sure what MMORPG stands for it is Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game. There are many genres and to list just a few they cover Fantasy, Shooter, Racing, Post-apocalyptic and the list goes on.

There is my first reason why MMOs are so popular, the diversity of content and subject matter. The lore the games are based on usually is nothing short of epic in its volume of content. The creativity of the writers, story tellers and researchers, in my opinion, rival the development of any best selling novel.

Complexity, MMOs are richly complex, the complexity can range from politics, diplomacy, various crafting disciplines, gathering skills. You can gain favor and notoriety with various factions, for the positive and negative to earn the ability to improve gear, weapons or to just get some really cool items.

MMOs allow for a variety of players. One person could be a casual player that just fits it into their daily activities, the hardcore raider that doesn't miss an event or dungeon and the diehard PvPer, (player versus player). A PvPer is focused on pitting their ability against another real player somewhere in the world.

MMOs give anyone the ability to be someone or something they aren't. An MMO allows anyone to reinvent themselves and to play a style or act a style not like what they are in real life. The anonymity of the MMO is a double edged sword though, it can allow people to develop confidence or it can let them spiral into an obnoxious nuisance or bully. Sometimes they are affectionately referred to as "trolls". So whether you are a helper or a hinderer there is a place for you in game chat.

Just like a movie can transport you from reality an MMO can do the same thing. Especially if you are a role-player. A role-player is someone who not only plays the game but takes on the persona and characteristics of their in game character and act as they think that character would act.

An MMO allows someone to detach from reality, which in moderation can be a healthy thing but from time to time you hear stories of people taking this detachment too far and bringing the game back with them into reality.

In all honesty I think the biggest reason MMOs are so popular is because to a large degree they give the player complete control over something. It allows them to vent, whether they are frustrated or angry, maybe the game can lift their spirits if they are sad or depressed.

The point I am trying to make is MMOs are so popular because they can appeal to the masses in a variety of ways and multiple ways at any given moment. Maybe I had a bad day at work, or the dog won't listen to me and I got cut off on the freeway. How simple would it be to vent on the game, take back some of the control I "think" I've lost and carry on with my day.