Online multiplayer games are continuing to grow in popularity. The massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre drives this trend with millions of gamers active in these virtual worlds, typified by titles such as World of Warcraft and Star Wars: The Old Republic. In fact, this gaming genre has become a billion-dollar industry because of the monthly subscription fees paid by those taking part in these enthralling experiences.
Game developers hoping to tap into this billion-dollar market must understand that building these virtual universes requires excellent storytelling, compelling graphics, and a technical back end capable of seamlessly handling millions of users. Considering the connected nature of this specialized niche within the overall gaming community, expect any news about downtime or streaming hiccups to go viral instantaneously!
Mobile gaming a growing trend in the MMORPG community
While MMORPGs saw their genesis on the desktop platform, in recent years, mobile-compatible versions of these games have hit the market. In fact, a MMORPG for children, School of Dragons, was recently released on the Android platform after first garnering popularity on Facebook and iOS. In addition to great performance, gamers are now expecting to be able to enjoy online multiplayer games while on the go.
This places the onus on game developers to ensure that the servers delivering their games have fast streaming capability in addition to the ability to scale horizontally to allow millions of concurrent players, no matter their location. In most cases, partnering with a industry-leading content delivery network (CDN) is the best way to ensure gamers enjoy compelling content while developers build a robust bottom line.
The advantages of a CDN for a MMORPG
The best CDNs offer a range of services and capabilities perfectly suited for online gaming. Game content is downloaded faster, while limitless scalability ensures that anyone joining the world is accommodated for once the game becomes a viral hit. Access to the Internet’s leading peering points means that mobile gamers are able to enjoy the action from pretty much anywhere in the world. A service-level agreement promising 100 percent availability keeps these games running on a 24/7 basis.
Game companies looking to enter this growing market need to explore a partnership with a CDN. Combining compelling game content with a top-rank technology stack is a great way to create a MMORPG hit.
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