Have you played tons of MMOs hoping to find something different among the linearity? Do MMO storylines feel like nothing but recycled tales?

How many years have you played video games? Yes, include the years that you spent on your console and your handheld. Done with your nostalgia now? Then relive your moments of victory after killing the most badass boss you've had the misfortune to meet since. Admit it, aside from Mario's epic toilet plunger, the weapons we have for mass destruction or world peace in games today are just pretty generic.

The idea of  Massively Multiplayer Online games has gone beyond the confines of desktops and laptops. With companies releasing new state-of-the-art mobile phones and handheld devices that support today's gaming requirements, it would seem that we're looking at the future of MMO gaming as we know it. Hoping for more information regarding the matter, we took the opportunity to research more about the roots of mobile MMO gaming. we found a lot of interesting things while browsing for answers... interested?

After seeing big titles like Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO), Star Trek Online (STO), and Lord of The Rings Online (LOTRO) drop their fees, I couldn't help but feel the sudden change of pace regarding MMO subscriptions. Is it just me, or are MMOs going free-to-play? Though premium games like World of Warcraft and WarHammer have tons of subscribers, it still doesn't change the fact that 14 bucks a month after buying the client and expansions isn't that cheap of a deal. While some people see free-to-play gaming as a way for dying MMOs to "survive", others see it an ingenious method for good MMOs to increase their popularity. Let's face it! Nothing beats seeing the big "FREE TO PLAY" sign next to a game's title.

One thing you just got to love about Facebook is that it's not just a social networking site. Yes, compared to its predecessors, the site has indeed taken SOCIAL NETWORKING to a whole new level. Now people can upload videos, converse with a wide variety of people online, upload and tag photos, and... play MMOs? Come again?! Yep! That's right! It would seem that social networking and massively multiplayer online gaming make a pretty good combination; in fact, getting people to play through Facebook messages seems to be more effective than through word of mouth. So what makes MMOs function so well in Facebook anyway? Let's dive in and see, shall we?

Mounts, love them or hate them you'd never really see a MMORPG without them. They've become the new status quo for MMORPGs. Players get the idea on how high a level or how much time, money or both they have spent on your game simply through the mounts they possess. The fun thing about mounts is that, even if their primary function is the same, the types of mounts you encounter vary depending on the genre or the type of game you're playing. There are different kinds of mounts in each game, allowing players to pick the one that works for them.

When was the last time you felt like you were living in the world of the MMO you played? Or the last time you felt like you were one with your virtual character? Chances are, you probably haven't felt that feeling in a long time. For me, I haven't felt immersed in an MMO since I was a kid. Maybe it was because my sense of childhood wonder helped fill the gap of being connected to the game world, but whatever the case, many MMOs just don't seem to have that spark. Many MMOs today lack immersion and while some of the issues are a bit more apparent than others, here are some of the reasons that have the most impact:

As you may know MMO games have been around and hooking players for more than a decade. If I were to compare this addiction factor to other genres, I'd say the other gaming categories are way behind. The MMO industry has been rapidly evolving (andgrowing) since the MUD1 interface (one of the first MMOs) made its debut in 1978, and now, the population of MMO gamers knows no bounds. So what makes this genre addictive to begin with? Is it the epic mount that epically flies you around the epic valley of epic snow? Or is it the fact that you're living in a moving and breathing virtual world? Many have invested their cash on single player games, saying the ultimate gaming experience can be found in a small box that gives you pinches of online content along with online versus mode.

It's amazing how MMOs managed to broaden their scope by experimenting with different genres. We have Shooter MMOs, RTS themed ones, Fighter-based games, I'm sure you get the idea. The thing here is, MMOs may have all these genres locked in their multiplayer goodness, but let's not forget that it's merely a pinch of what their original genres are made of.

Whatever console you pledge your allegiance to, there's no questioning that the new motion control gadgetry developed by Microsoft and Sony is pretty impressive. PlayStation Move tracks player movement with pinpoint accuracy, Xbox Kinect is a striking display of camera trickery and motion sensing technology. The hype machine has been put into overdrive as gamers prepare for a new wave of motion controlled games and gadgets spurred on by immense publicity and awe-inspiring tech demos. With the popularity of the Nintendo Wii seemingly floundering, it remains to be seen whether or not Sony's wands and Microsoft's cameras can rejuvenate the motion sensing scene and convince hardcore gamers that it isn't all casual platforming and family-oriented sports games.

Historically, the term "Gamer" referred to those who play hardcore stuff like Dungeons & Dragons (the pen and paper one), White Wolf RPGS, and those who commit themselves to various forms of geekery. If you check the early cartoons and TV shows, gamers always seem to look like perpetual virgins who dress up in giant suspenders and get beaten up most of the time (mostly by football jocks and the guy wearing the black skull shirt). I guess today's era pretty much labels that stereotypical outlook null and void, seeing as games have now become a part of our culture. Is it now safe to say that you're a gamer? Well, enclosed is a list of random pros and cons of being one. Check it out.