Xbox's Gaming Online

Recently, I had a conversation with a co-worker who had recently purchased an Xbox. For those unfamiliar with the gaming world, this new product from Microsoft, among other features, also has an Ethernet port. This means that it has the ability to connect online and interact with other players around the world.

I must profess, I have not owned a gaming system since the original Nintendo came out. Even then, I had only purchased the machine second-hand and played it all of a handful of times. For me, being able to just play video games seemed pointless. From a very early age, I had already been working with computers and loved the sense of accomplishment I gained from not only playing but also writing programs on my system. Nintendo, and many of the gaming systems, couldn't do that for me.

Xbox coming online is following a trend over the last few years for graphic, multi-player, online games. It started with Ultima Online. It has been followed by several successful games, the most popular being Asheron Call, Everquest, and Dark Age of Camelot. Players from around the world could log into the same server and interact. They would be presented graphical representations of their characters and be able to "talk" and play with one another.

For some, it was a dream come true. Many folks who played in text-based, online games loved the idea that now they could do it with fancy graphics. Others, who were involved in such role-playing games as Dungeons & Dragons, found the online interaction irresistible.

However, not all were convinced. The "die-hard" gamers felt the graphics clouded the true art of the game and made it too easy for just the common person to come on and play. Some others felt this and any type of role-playing/gaming were evil and lead to fruitless lives. (My mother, being one of these types of people, thought it was rotting away my life.)

Thus far, the ability to connect to these online graphic, games have required the person both having a computer and Internet connection. Since the graphics have been fairly intensive, most of those that play have had higher speed connections and new computers.

With the introduction of the Xbox (and I'm sure soon to follow the Play Station version of connecting online) the equipment barrier has been alleviated. One can purchase a game box for half or less of the cost of a new computer. Thus, the source of my conversation with my co-worker who believes such online interaction will soon take over the world of gaming and become a normal way for everyone to play games.

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic