Computer Gaming and Networking By Philip Kostka

MMORGPs Most popular MMORPG is World of Warcraft, with over 1 million subscribers worldwide Most popular MMORPG is World of Warcraft, with over 1 million subscribers worldwide Play as a character, enhance it as time goes on Play as a character, enhance it as time goes on Interact with other player’s characters on quests and in guilds Interact with other player’s characters on quests and in guilds

MMORPG and Networking Multiple servers, called “Realms” required Multiple servers, called “Realms” required High-speed internet connection required High-speed internet connection required All servers are dedicated gaming servers All servers are dedicated gaming servers Games are online-only Games are online-only High uptime a must – No network, no gaming High uptime a must – No network, no gaming Subscription fees often charged to fund upkeep of networks and systems Subscription fees often charged to fund upkeep of networks and systems

Strategy Games Play as a commander of a number of units Play as a commander of a number of units Establish bases, conquer enemies Establish bases, conquer enemies Real-Time: high realism, fast-paced Real-Time: high realism, fast-paced Turn-Based: slower, more planning, like Chess Turn-Based: slower, more planning, like Chess

Strategy and Networking Real-Time Games Real-Time Games Can be run on 56kbps networks Can be run on 56kbps networks Non-dedicated servers Non-dedicated servers Easy to setup and maintain Easy to setup and maintain Turn-Based Games Turn-Based Games Can be run on any network Speed is not an issue Non-dedicated servers Can also be played over Chess, Checkers, etc

First Person Shooters First PC FPS was Wolfenstein 3D First PC FPS was Wolfenstein 3D Doom, Quake, and Half- Life are most popular franchises Doom, Quake, and Half- Life are most popular franchises Starsiege: Tribes introduced network gaming Starsiege: Tribes introduced network gaming Counter-Strike, a mod for Half-Life, brought network gaming to the masses Counter-Strike, a mod for Half-Life, brought network gaming to the masses

FPS and Networking High network speeds required High network speeds required Low speeds induce “lag,” where your character moves sporadically around the screen Low speeds induce “lag,” where your character moves sporadically around the screen Dedicated or non- dedicated servers Dedicated or non- dedicated servers Can be played over the Internet or over a LAN Can be played over the Internet or over a LAN On local networks, switches are preferred over hubs On local networks, switches are preferred over hubs Server requirements include large amounts of memory and processing power, but little graphics ability Server requirements include large amounts of memory and processing power, but little graphics ability Dedicated Servers are unable to play in the game

Network Gaming Centers Hourly fee to play most PC games Hourly fee to play most PC games Play with friends Play with friends Don’t need to have knowledge of networks or computers Don’t need to have knowledge of networks or computers Quick, easy, inexpensive Quick, easy, inexpensive

FPS Demo Quake 3 Arena Demo Quake 3 Arena Demo Popular and free [demo version] Popular and free [demo version] Fast-paced FPS Fast-paced FPS Based in the future Based in the future Has console commands, much like a Command Prompt Has console commands, much like a Command Prompt Easy to setup networking, can make dedicated or non-dedicated servers easily Easy to setup networking, can make dedicated or non-dedicated servers easily