Online gaming as we know it today started with the invention of the internet. Online gaming is basically any game played over any form of computer network. It started with the invention of computers and the network was originally hard wired terminals, it then became modems and then the internet.
With the growth of both computer networks and the internet online gaming has increased and now online games can include very complex images and graphics (just take a look at all of the latest online slots games coming out). Players can even enter very realistic virtual worlds which provide adventure and escapism.
Online gaming boomed with the invention of broadband internet which enabled people to play multi player games. Multi-player games are where several thousands of online gaming players can play the same game at the same time. Through this sort of game players can interact with each other and complete missions together. This has increased the social aspect of online gaming. Today, many games also have associated online gaming communities which have also increased the social aspect of online gaming.
However, there are also a large number of single player online games and these have also experienced huge growth. New technologies and the increasing availability and relative cheapness of broadband internet have drawn more and more people towards online gaming.
The most popular online games normally require players to pay a monthly subscription fee whilst others let people play for free with the option of paying to unlock extra content. Other online gaming sites earn their money through advertising revenue and cross promotions.
Online gaming is now a huge and very lucrative industry with millions of online gaming players all over the world. There are now a vast array of different online games to appeal to all audiences and tastes and with technology developing so quickly, the graphics and speed are just getting better and better.