What are Internet games?
Ultima Online
SubSpace
Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands
Meridian 59
Illusia: Quest for the Eternals
The Realm
The Internet Gaming Zone
Conclusion

What are Internet games?

Gaming on the Internet is not new. MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons) have been popular for years. They are essentially text-based creations set in a combat-oriented environment where the goal is often to build up your character by fighting monsters. Then there are MOOs (Multi-user Object-Oriented environment) which are typically more socially oriented, allowing players to create their own rooms and objects and interact with each other on a fairly simplistic level.

Now there are a new generation of games developed specifically for play over the Internet. They offer far more than the old style MUDs and MOOs, using advanced graphical interfaces on par with many of today's CD-ROM-based offerings.

While many of them are still in beta, some are open to the public. Here's a sample of what's currently on offer.

Ultima Online

Genre: Fantasy role-playing

From: Origin

URL: http://www.owo.com/uo.html

System requirements: (for pre-alpha version only) 486DX4/100, 12Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 14,400bps modem, PCI SVGA video card, ISP account

After producing great RPGs for the last 10 years, Origin has decided to bring their Ultima universe to the Internet. The first Origin Worlds Online product will be Ultima Online. Origin will eventually bring a Wing Commander-style game to the Net as well.

Ultima Online is a multiplayer RPG designed for real-time adventuring over the Internet. Eventually, thousands of people will be able to access this fantasy world around the clock and interact simultaneously with each other and the gaming world. In the pre-alpha stage, the game closely resembled Ultima VIII in terms of interface, graphical style and viewing perspective. A couple of years ago, Ultima VIII was very hardware demanding when played from the hard drive, so producing a smooth and playable online version is no mean feat.

Apart from the normal RPG elements, the game also allows players to form alliances and governments, join guilds, and make and sell wares.

Origin has yet to decide how they are going to implement charges for playing Ultima Online. My bet is you'll have to become a member of an Origin online gaming service, but whether they'll bill you by the hour or come up with a weekly or monthly flat rate, is anyone's guess. Initially the server for Ultima Online will be located only in the USA, but no doubt Origin will expand to other countries depending on demand.

SubSpace

Genre: Arcade

From: Virgin

URL: http://www.vie.com/sniper

System requirements: 486DX2/66, 8Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 14,400bps modem, SVGA video card (VLB/PCI), ISP account

SubSpace (formerly known as Sniper) is a relatively simplistic action game from Virgin. Gameplay is reminiscent of some of the older arcade space-fighter titles from the mid '80s. SubSpace runs under Windows 95.

Although the graphics are fairly rudimentary, they are very crisp and clear with some nice explosion animations.

The point of SubSpace is to collect bounty, kill other ships and collect flags. Bounty is represented by small spinning green cubes, which, when collected, will usually enhance the capabilities of your ship. There are three levels of guns and bombs along with assorted other features like cloaking, bursts and stealth. Some bounty will speed up your ship, increase your energy levels and charge rates. There are also negative bounties which reduce power, weaponry etc.

All of this would be pretty boring if you were just playing against the computer, but when you throw in about 80 other human controlled ships, the action is fast, furious and eminently addictive. There are a number of Web pages dedicated to the formation of SubSpace teams. Teams are most important in the Warzone, where flags come into play. If your team collects all the flags (about 16), you win a large number of points (I think this is calculated by the number of players on the server squared).

At the moment, SubSpace is still in beta and there are currently about five servers to choose from consisting of Alpha Zones 1 and 2, the War Zone, the League Zone and the Expert Zone.

The game has already gone through a number of incarnations and should be commercially released later this year. Whether Virgin will charge additional online rates for playing SubSpace is not yet clear.

To run SubSpace you will need to have DirectX 2 patch for Windows 95 running. From the SubSpace site you can download the SubSpace game, DirectX 2 files and SubCheck utility (which will advise your if your PC can run and SubSpace and if you need to install the DirectX files).

Once you have SubSpace correctly installed, you can now join in the online fun by hitting the SubSpace site. If you are having technical problems, email the SubSpace team.

Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands

Genre: Fantasy role-playing

From: SSI

URL: http://www.ten.net/DSO/

System requirements: 486DX2/66, double-speed CD-ROM drive with redbook cable enabled, 8Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 9600bps modem, video card (VLB/PCI), ISP account, TEN (an Internet gaming service provider) account

Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands is the latest in the Dark Sun series of games from Strategic Simulations. Based on TSR's Dark Sun world, Dark Sun Online (DSO) allows you to adventure on the world of Athas. However, instead of playing alone against the computer, you'll now be able to explore the barren wastes of this world over the Internet with hundreds of other human-controlled characters.

DSO has been in development for over two years. The engine has been completely overhauled for online gaming, and is now a Windows 95 application. The interface has been streamlined for multi-player gaming, including enhancements to party commands along with easy chat options.

The game is designed to support hundreds and possibly thousands of players at any given time. Obviously this will vary depending on specific server and engine limitations.

DSO very closely resembles both Dark Sun I and II. The view is from the top-down perspective and your character is visible at all times.

Most importantly, you can go on quests with your friends. This cooperative play should form the backbone of the game. Like Ultima Online, DSO will require teamwork to succeed at many of the tougher quests.

At the time of writing DSO is still in beta but anyone over 18 could become a beta tester for free. First you need to download the beta version of DSO and then a base patch from the DSO site -- but be warned, the game itself is a monster 30Mb file!

Once you have the DSO game installed, you then need to apply the base patch. Then run Dark Sun from your Win95 Start menu under TEN to log on. Then you can apply to become a beta tester and supply your credit card details (although the actual beta testing is free). For more information about installing DSO, go to TEN's Lab page.

The final version of DSO will be shipped on CD-ROM. You'll need to own the CD to play the game, which will run over TEN's Internet gaming service. Ultimately you will have to pay to become a member of TEN before you can play DSO, though TEN has said they will give notice before we start charging.

Meridian 59

Genre: Fantasy role-playing

From: 3D0

URL: http://www.3do.com/studio3do/meridian/

System requirements: (for pre-alpha version only) 486DX2/66, 8Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 14,400bps modem, video card, ISP account

Meridian 59 is a first-person perspective RPG and was designed by an affiliate of the 3D0 company. Meridian 59 uses a Windows interface and features 360-degree smooth scrolling movement. While the game may not be as graphically detailed as Illusia, it does offer players a very comprehensive world to interact with.

Some of Meridian 59's other features include: 3D animated creatures and objects, fully animated characters, different choices for your character's appearance, animated gestures and facial expressions, graphical drag-and-drop interface, automapping as you explore the world, separate window for text conversations with other players, graphical inventory and stats areas, five cities and a huge variety of terrain to explore, dozens of monsters, numerous spells in four different classes of magic, quests for cooperative play, an arena for player-to-player duels, and automatic updating as new graphics, monsters and game areas are added.

By the time you read this Meridian 59 will be out of beta and you will have to buy the software and register online.

However, you can download video previews from the Meridian site.

Illusia: Quest for the Eternals

Genre: Fantasy role-playing

From: Living Mask Productions

URL: http://www.illusia.com

System requirements: 486DX2/66 and above, 8Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 14,400bps modem, video card (VLB/PCI), ISP account

Illusia: Quest for the Eternals is another multiplayer RPG played over the Net. Like Meridian 59, Illusia uses the first-person viewing perspective, except the graphics are of a higher quality.

Illusia combines the text-input of the classic MUD-style Net games with a Windows 95 graphical interface. The game also features animation and sound capabilities. There are hundreds of skills and spells, as well as player races ranging from humans to Minotaurs, Vampires and Centaurs.

Illusia supports resolutions of up to 640 by 480 in 16.7 million colours and the Server can support up to 200 players online at any given time.

While players can customise their character in the usual way, instead of using a level based system, characters advance in skill only. Illusia also includes a number of NPCs (non-player characters) who provide quests, information and trade goods.

Illusia can be as complex or simplistic as you like: players can form alliances and lay siege to enemy castles, there is a piety system to manage religious issues, and you can murder other players or just work your way up the social scale to king-like status.

Like DSO, when you kill other players you will probably find yourself on the run from the law.

The final version of Illusia should also include an automap, text filtering and online help.

At the moment Illusia is in the alpha test stage and testing is closed. You can still apply by e-mailing the game's creators and filling out a beta test application.

The Realm

Genre: Adventure

From: Sierra

URL: http://www.realmserver.com

System requirements: 486DX2/66 and above, 8Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 14,400bps modem, video card, ISP account, Sierra On-Line membership

The Realm is a new Internet multiplayer adventure game from Sierra. If you've played any of their Hero's or King's Quest games then you'll know what to expect from The Realm.

With fully animated male and female characters, Realm players may venture through towns, shops, taverns, temples, forests, swamplands, grasslands, mountainous regions, beach areas and dungeons. You can either go it alone or form a group when tackling the many quests that the game has to offer.

Players create a character tailoring the various aspects of race, class and other attributes according to personal taste. Like Meridian 59, Illusia and Ultima Online, the gameworld of The Realm is constantly changing and evolving. At any time, new quests, objects and characters may be added.

While the adventure style of Sierra's 'Quest' games are well suited to Internet play, many older gamers may find the animations and graphics a little too child-like.

Because the game uses detailed and fairly large animated sprites, it can slow down dramatically when a lot of players are congregated together in one place. Still, is well worth a look.

At the time of writing, the game was in open beta testing stage. You can download the beta software from the Realm site.

The Internet Gaming Zone

Genre: Windows games

From: Microsoft
URL: http://igz2.microsoft.com

System requirements: 486DX2/66 and above, 8Mb RAM, mouse, Windows 95, 14,400bps modem, video card, ISP account

Microsoft recently acquired the Internet Gaming Zone (IGZ). IGZ specialises in the more standard Window's fare like Bridge, Hearts, Spades, Chess, Go, Checkers and Reversi.

The only real difference between the standard and online incarnations of these games is that you can now play against other people from all around the world.

The best part about IGZ is that it's free. Just download the software and away you go.

To choose a game at IGZ, just logon to the server and move around the IGZ village (a graphical representation), pick a building corresponding with your favourite game and you're in business.

You can download the Internet Gaming Zone software from the Web.

Conclusion

There's no doubt in my mind that multiplayer gaming over the Net holds the future for PC gaming. Many of you will already have enjoyed numerous modem sessions of Command & Conquer , Warcraft II, Doom, Descent and so on, and will know that there's just no substitute for human intelligence. These games are by far and away best played against human opponents.

Because the Internet is essentially a global network, there are some inherent problems associated with online gaming. The two worst gremlins to plague the beta's mentioned here were lag and latency.

Lag is just as it sounds -- your control of your character, ship etc loses its spontaneity, often with drastic results. It can mean the end of that character you've spent months building up in Ultima Online or Illusia. The issue of lag depends very much on the speed and quality of your connection to the Net, and it is also affected by the load of the server you are playing on.

Latency is closely associated with lag, and basically describes the coordination of the control of your character or ship; between what you do on your computer and what happens on the server.

Both of these problems will no doubt be resolved in time as Internet connections gradually improve.

Internet gaming is all about human-controlled characters or vehicles interacting in a virtual environment. Unfortunately, while the bulk of people just want to have fun, there are also a lot of idiots who use it as an opportunity to be obscene, make stupid racist comments or just to be generally anti-social. My advice is don't take it, complain to the game's service provider.

Finally, there is the issue of money. While these games are free at the moment, they won't be by the time final release comes around. Many of them are extremely addictive and the potential for financial disaster looms for the unwary. Remember: not only will you be charged by your ISP, but also by each of the games' online providers.

Internet gaming is still in its infancy, we won't truly be able to appreciate its potential for some years to come. But when you consider what's already on offer, it has got off to a pretty good start.

By Julian Schoffel