International Detective Dragons From Outer Space

Part 1 of 2 - Massive Multi-player Online Role Playing Games. No way to fit the topic into a single show, so next week will be Part 2. How do I begin talking about something that is, essentially an entire world inside this one with real people running around in it. How much of an MMO is "only a game"? If they're supposed to be for role playing, why is it so difficult to find role playing when you enter them? Oddly enough . . . the slightest glance at the most successful online game out there ( World of Warcraft ) displays the very same paradox discussed in the last show. MMORPG's show one of the pinnacles of earthbound human achievement in Art, Music and Technology - with an astounding heap of bloody violence thrown in. Is it an online game or is it theater or is it both?