Meet Dave Spohn, Uber Gamer

Virtual Life is Here to Stay.

Question 6: What kind of investment and preparation advice would you recommend to a beginning MMO gamer? Hardware, ISP connection, scheduling time?

Gamer Dave Spohn: A few MMOGs are now available on consoles, but a gaming PC still gives you the widest choice of online games to choose from. A broadband Internet connection has also become pretty much essential. My article, Online RPGs 101, will give you more details on what you'll need to get involved if you're new to MMORPGs. I also have an article for Basic Info on Getting started with Internet Games in general.



Question 7: One more question, Dave. Is MMO gaming just a fad, or is it here to stay? Can you give us your prediction on how MMO gaming will look like in the next 3 years?

Gamer Dave Spohn: Online gaming is not only here to stay, it's going to grow considerably over the next 3 years. Successful MMOGs tend to have a long lifespan - some people don't realize EverQuest is over 8 years old now and they continue to put out expansions for it. It's safe to assume that there will still be millions of WoW players 3 years from now, and we're bound to see more cross-platform titles like Final Fantasy XI, which will bring consoles into the scene in a big way. Gamers are going to have more choices to make than ever, as more settings, game genres, and online communities are adapted into 3D virtual worlds. Watch for Google to get in on the action. These are good times for people who like online games, and there is yet more amazing hardware and software just around the corner.

More Information on Getting into MMO Gaming from Dave Spohn:

• Getting Started with Online Gaming
• "What is Roleplaying? What is 'MMOG'?"
• "What is 'World of Warcraft'?"
• How to Speak Gaming: a Glossary of the Gamer Jargon You Will Need to Learn