Online computer games are video games that are played in a network, such as the internet or an internal office network. Its popularity started out from small local networks and extended online. As more and more people gained access to the World Wide Web, online games have likewise been a fast-growing segment for internet-based industries such as software developers and gaming console manufacturers.
There are a large number of games available online, ranging from the simple, text based games to role playing games imbedded with complex graphics and virtual environments that many players can access at the same time. Most online games now have organized online communities where its players can interact with other players; thus, making online games a social activity.
The online games popular during the 80s include Scrabble Clones, Chess and other board games. There were also online games that had fantasy settings that were played on a BBS using a modem. However, the high fees charged for online access diverted the set-up of some of these games from being played online into play-by-email games.
During the 90s, the internet brought about many changes in the...