22-7-2009 Game News : MMORPG 101: What is an MMORPG community?

This Article is Originally from Examiner.com If You Want to Know More Details about it, please check out the link below: http://www.examiner.com/x-15961-Charleston-MMORPG-Examiner~y2009m7d20-MMORPGs-101--What-is-an-MMORPG-community

This is part of a special series examining basic MMORPG concepts.

Community is one of the principal reasons people usually give when asked why they prefer MMORPGs to single-player games. The ability to play alongside other real people, either aiding them or fighting with them, is at the very heart of the second "M" in MMORPG.

Several different types of groups are formed by players of MMORPGs. The most basic type is called a "pick up group." This is a group that is formed usually for no more than a single play session, and often out of need. If a player is in over his head with a quest or an enemy, they may reach out to other players for help. Pick up groups (sometimes abbreviated PUGs) can be good or bad, depending on the skills of the players or in how well the abilities of the various team members mesh.

Static teams are groups that meet at usually fixed times during the week to group up and play together. These aren't quite guilds (covered next), but they are a tighter-knit group than a PUG. Often a static team will be formed with a theme in mind, either for roleplay purposes or so that powers and abilities will work well together.

Guilds are formal groups of usually like-minded players. Guild structure varies from MMORPG to MMORPG, and many times within the same MMORPG. Guilds sometimes share money or items, and having first priority in questing groups is usually a big part of being in a guild.

People met in an MMORPG can go on to become good friends, just as if they met in "real life." Many times, a guild from one MMORPG will migrate to newer ones as they become available, meaning that in-game relationships can go on for several years, across several games.

...

By mmosite