Computer Gaming and Computer Gaming and NetworkingNetworking

By Philip KostkaBy Philip Kostka

MMORGPsMMORGPs

Most popular Most popular MMORPG is World of MMORPG is World of Warcraft, with over 1 Warcraft, with over 1 million subscribers million subscribers worldwideworldwide

Play as a character, Play as a character, enhance it as time enhance it as time goes ongoes on

Interact with other Interact with other player’s characters on player’s characters on quests and in guildsquests and in guilds

MMORPG and NetworkingMMORPG and Networking

Multiple servers, called “Realms” requiredMultiple servers, called “Realms” requiredHigh-speed internet connection requiredHigh-speed internet connection requiredAll servers are dedicated gaming serversAll servers are dedicated gaming serversGames are online-onlyGames are online-onlyHigh uptime a must – No network, no High uptime a must – No network, no

gaminggamingSubscription fees often charged to fund Subscription fees often charged to fund

upkeep of networks and systemsupkeep of networks and systems

Strategy GamesStrategy Games

Play as a commander Play as a commander of a number of unitsof a number of units

Establish bases, Establish bases, conquer enemiesconquer enemies

Real-Time: high Real-Time: high realism, fast-pacedrealism, fast-paced

Turn-Based: slower, Turn-Based: slower, more planning, like more planning, like ChessChess

Strategy and NetworkingStrategy and Networking

Real-Time GamesReal-Time Games Can be run on 56kbps Can be run on 56kbps

networksnetworks Non-dedicated serversNon-dedicated servers Easy to setup and Easy to setup and

maintainmaintain

Turn-Based GamesTurn-Based Games Can be run on any Can be run on any

networknetwork Speed is not an issueSpeed is not an issue Non-dedicated serversNon-dedicated servers Can also be played Can also be played

over emailover email Chess, Checkers, etcChess, Checkers, etc

First Person ShootersFirst Person Shooters

First PC FPS was First PC FPS was Wolfenstein 3DWolfenstein 3D

Doom, Quake, and Half-Doom, Quake, and Half-Life are most popular Life are most popular franchisesfranchises

Starsiege: Tribes Starsiege: Tribes introduced network introduced network gaminggaming

Counter-Strike, a mod for Counter-Strike, a mod for Half-Life, brought network Half-Life, brought network gaming to the massesgaming to the masses

FPS and NetworkingFPS and Networking

High network speeds High network speeds requiredrequired Low speeds induce “lag,” Low speeds induce “lag,”

where your character where your character moves sporadically around moves sporadically around the screenthe screen

Dedicated or non-Dedicated or non-dedicated serversdedicated servers

Can be played over the Can be played over the Internet or over a LANInternet or over a LAN

On local networks, On local networks, switches are preferred switches are preferred over hubsover hubs

Server requirements Server requirements include large amounts of include large amounts of memory and processing memory and processing power, but little graphics power, but little graphics abilityability Dedicated Servers are Dedicated Servers are

unable to play in the game unable to play in the game

Network Gaming CentersNetwork Gaming Centers

Hourly fee to play most Hourly fee to play most PC gamesPC games

Play with friendsPlay with friends Don’t need to have Don’t need to have

knowledge of networks knowledge of networks or computersor computers

Quick, easy, Quick, easy, inexpensiveinexpensive

FPS DemoFPS Demo

Quake 3 Arena DemoQuake 3 Arena DemoPopular and free [demo version]Popular and free [demo version]Fast-paced FPSFast-paced FPSBased in the futureBased in the futureHas console commands, much like a Has console commands, much like a

Command PromptCommand PromptEasy to setup networking, can make Easy to setup networking, can make

dedicated or non-dedicated servers easilydedicated or non-dedicated servers easily