Definition of MMORPG

I just had an argument with a guy about the definition of MMORPG.

I said Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game.
He said Multi-Media Online Roleplaying Game.

I pointed out that Googling "MMORPG definition" brought up only results in my favor. I also pointed out that when "multi media roleplaying game" is googled, all of the relevant results STILL say Massively Multiplayer.

He said something about Dark Eden and Battlefield 2 being Multi-Media RPGs, followed by "Read RS forums." Then he blocked me.

Read RS forums? Screw that, I'm lazy. But this is bugging me now, and I must know for sure:

Am I the douchebag, or is he the douchebag?

Thank-you.


Edit--> Side note, some Google results say Massively Multi-User, but that's the same as Multiplayer.
Edit #2--> MMORPG can, of course, also stand for Mostly Men Online Roleplaying Girls :P

It's "Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game."

"Multi-media" makes no sense, as it implies that the -game- is involved in several types of -media- (like television). If you think about it, it's completely absurd.

You were right. He is wrong. Tell him to read THESE forums and tell him to read MY post. HE! IS! WRONG!

He's a douche.

You're right, he's wrong.

So I checked the Runescape forums...

http://forum.runescape.com/lang/en/a...4,396,48595329

The end?

Many Men Online Role Playing Girls.

Another interesting fact most people can't seem to comprehend:

CORPG is a sub-genre of MMORPG, not a separate one all together! Another misconception is that people think instances automatically make a game a CORPG, that's false too. The three main criteria for a CORPG are: no subscription fees, players are offered unlimited playing time on the game servers, and their accounts never expire.

Most of that had nothing to do with your question and I now return you to the discussion already in progress.

HA! The ultimate ownage. If I ever see that guy again, I'll send him that link!

Eww .

Definition of an MMORPG = not Guild Wars

Dont even bring it up here

What are you talking about? CORPG is an acronym made up by ANet to classify Guild Wars. All three "criteria" you mention apply to Guild Wars, but have nothing to do with what a CORPG is.

Uh.. Please say your being sarcastic :P

I consider guildwars a roleplaying game. It's also online. It's massive and it's multiplayer.
A ton of people started playing mmorpg's when WoW came out. They use that, as the classic webster definition of the word. Truth is, is that acronym was being used way before WoW came out. So while WoW is a mmorpg, you shouldn't picture that game when considering the definition.
It would be like picturing a 747 when defining the word airplane, and then saying if it's not a 747, or a jet, it's not an airplane.

I've been playing online role playing games for years... Muds anyone? I still play a mud, that I've been playing for almost 13 years now. (don't believe me, point zmud to: mud.everwar.net 4242) Heck, I sold my first roleplaying char in 96 or 97 for $100, way before ebay was created.
Anyways, I think some people just try to be purists which is admirable, but wrong.


~r

The problem is that there is no single authority to make a binding definition. Thus, we have a system where we try to find common elements in a wide spectrum of games.

The core idea of a "Massive" multiplayer online role playing game is that it goes beyond mere multiplayer, which allows several players to play together and attempts to allow ALL of the players to play together.

No game is able to fully implement this - even the most MMORPGish MMORPGs have to divide their population onto separate servers. This so far inevitable splitting of the player population is one reason why it's so hard to apply the definition.

If one were thus to apply a broader meaning of the definition, one could fit in Guild wars. Although the gameplay is instanced, players are able to meet other players from anywhere, trade with them and engage in PvP and PvE with them.

However, some games go a step further and establish a non-instanced single game world. This takes interraction a step further and is often taken as the main element of distinction between a "Massive" and "non-massive" online role playing game. By this strict interpretation of the description, Guild wars is not an MMORPG due to its instanced gameplay.

In the end, this is merely a matter of definitions.


However, the distinction between the two gameplay styles (instanced and non-instanced) frequently becomes a hot point in discussing games. Mostly, the core idea is that if a game doesn't feature a unified game world, it is not allowed to use the "MMORPG" title. Often the argument takes place in connection with the issue of the online monthly fee.