From WoW to Fortnite: How Online Gaming Evolved Into a $200B Industry

Gaming’s Wild Ride

In its early days, online gaming was a niche hobby for a few enthusiasts seeking a different experience. They wanted to recreate the competitiveness of playing with their friends in their living rooms without needing all players to be in the same room. Fast forward to today, and online gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry and a major source of entertainment for millions worldwide. But when did online gaming start, and how has the industry evolved? Let’s delve into its history.

When Did Online Gaming First Start?

To find the beginnings of online gaming we need to go back to the 1990s, when game consoles and personal computers had spread through many households. It was around this time that LAN parties started springing up. Kids would show up in a house, plug their PCs in on a local network, and play games like Starcraft or Quake. LAN parties brought a whole new level of gaming; friends could play against each other, seeing how they compared against human opponents instead of computers. The one major downside: Participants needed to be in the same place, at the same time.

Luckily, the ’90s saw the rise of the internet, and by the turn of the Millennium, connection speeds had become fast enough for players to recreate a LAN party in the online realm. The game development companies noticed this trend, and in 2004, WoW (World of Warcraft) was born. WoW is the first online game — although there were a handful of predecessors, it is WoW’s unique blend of popularity (over 10 million active subscribers) and open-endedness that would build the blueprint for contemporary online gaming.

When Did Online Gaming Become Popular?

Throughout the 2000s, more online games were released, primarily for PCs. This somewhat limited the market, as a good internet connection was necessary to fully enjoy these games. However, in 2007, the introduction of smartphones, app stores, and 4G networks revolutionized gaming. Mobile gaming became accessible to a broader audience, no longer just for hardcore gamers. People from all walks of life, including executives, nurses, and bankers, could be seen playing on their phones during their commutes. This marked a significant tipping point for the industry, as almost everyone had a smartphone, making online gaming more accessible.

Since then, various types of online games have been developed, including shooters like PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, and Fortnite, as well as children’s games like Roblox and Minecraft. These games have further increased the popularity of online gaming, taking it to new heights.

The Impact of Online Gaming on the World

Online gaming has had a profound impact on the world. It has become the largest entertainment industry, surpassing the film and music industries, with profits exceeding $200 billion. The industry supports millions of direct and indirect jobs globally. In the USA alone, it is estimated that there are 1.8 million jobs related to gaming, according to the American Gaming Association, making it a significant driver of the global economy.

Culturally, online gaming has transformed how we interact, creating new forms of social interaction and breaking down borders by bringing together people from different cultures, countries, and walks of life. It has even transformed sports, with the rise of eSports creating a new breed of athletes, fans, and tournaments with global reach.

Can You Make Money With Online Gaming?

Nowadays, there are several ways to make money with online gaming. If you enjoy playing and have some skill, you can become a content creator and stream your gaming sessions. This can earn you money through donations, ads, and brand collaborations. To succeed, you need to dedicate time to building and growing a community of fans, creating fresh and engaging content, and promoting it through social media.

Another option is to become a professional player. This path is more challenging, as it requires exceptional talent and dedication, similar to traditional sports. You need to cultivate your skills to reach the top and attract the attention of professional teams.

Some people also make money by selling rare or exclusive in-game items. To do this, you need to play the game and have enough skill to acquire these items, which are highly sought after by other players willing to pay real money for them.

A Look at the Future of Online Gaming

The evolution of gaming is promising as technology continues to advance and the industry grows. In 2016, Pokémon Go demonstrated the potential of augmented reality to integrate online games with the real world. This is just the beginning, with more developments on the horizon.

Virtual reality platforms are also being explored and commercialized, offering exciting possibilities for the future of gaming. As these technologies evolve, we can expect even greater innovations and experiences in the world of online gaming.