Growing up with MMOs

Growing up with MMOs By Yuliya Geikhman Yuliya Geikhman has a degree in teaching, but would rather teach others about the wonders of MMOs. She (yes, she is really a female gamer and not a guy pretending) has a life and a husband, but spends much of it glued to Atlantica Online (and other ftp MMOs).

Many people play MMOs in stages: they'll play one until they get tired of it, then move on to another. Luckily, there are many different kinds of MMOs out there, from the simplest to the most intricate and complex. Because of this, many people go through a series of MMOs as they grow up.

There are so many MMOs that there's no right way of growing up with them. Here, though, is a sample timeline, in case you need some inspiration, or are yearning to get in touch with your inner child (or noob).

Age 12 and less: Poptropica

Up until you're about 12 years old, you're still excited to learn. You don't mind playing a game that's "educational" and that you can learn from. This also means you can tell your parents that you're learning! And they might let you stay on the computer a little longer. At this age you might also not have the knowledge - or permission - to download a game.

For anyone like this, Poptropica is perfect. It's browser based, educational, and easy to play - just click. It is an MMO but player interaction is limited. The game is geared towards this younger crowd specifically - in face, 6 through 15 are the only ages you can choose when signing up. You are also given a name, to keep the game kid-friendly and curse-free.

Age 12 - 14: Maplestory

Of course, eventually kids grow out of this “innocent” phase and enter an age where exactly the opposite is true: cursing becomes fun; learning... not so much.

So for many tweens, Maplestory is the next step on their MMO journey. The graphics appeal to kids, as does the mindless grinding and complete disregard for any story. All these kids want to do is click. Nope, you won't find any “learning” here.

What you will find, however, is socializing. If Maplestory is a good indicator of what kids at this age are like, then around this time kids develop a desire to make lots of friends, yell at each other, and invent creative ways to trick censors.

Age 15 - 16: Rappelz, Perfect World, 9Dragons... etc etc

At this point, kids - or "young adults" - lose interest in “noobs” and childish graphics, and turn their attention to MMOs with cooler graphics, like Rappelz, Perfect World, 9Dragons... and any other typical fantasy ftp MMO. They may go through a number of these MMOs. Now good graphics and - gasp! - story become the crucial aspects of a game. Now, too, these young adults begin to socialize in more ways than just complaining and arguing. MMOs are appealing because they allow players of this age group to meet people with similar interests, form bonds, and escape from their real lives.