World of Warcraft is a large, multi-player, online fantasy role playing game. Essentially, millions of users connect to the game through the internet, exploring environments, battling enemies and forming alliances through an on-screen avatar. However, how is such a game possible? How can millions of gamers connect and interact and journey through hundreds of towns and continents, all on a computer? The technology is advanced, the concept is not: World of Warcraft servers bring this world to life. World of Warcraft servers are of two types: the first is the physical device or hardware used to host the game world, and the second is a realm. Realms are, in a sense, the hearts and soul of World of Warcraft; the game could not exist without them.
The Realm of Imagination
Realms are, essentially, World of Warcraft servers; players connect to a local client, which allows them access to the world. Realms, or virtual servers, exist so that the physical servers are not overwhelmed by too many players trying to connect, and so each player can connect quickly and securely. Basically, there is a server for every country, every region, and even many cities and towns. Each server hosts its own copy of the gaming world, so every player experiences the same world, characters and quests. However, the existence of multiple realms means that a single player will not interact with every other player connected to the game, only those players connected to his or her World of Warcraft servers.
Aside from the technological necessity for World of Warcraft servers, realms are invaluable within the game as well. Each realm takes on a prescribed set of characteristics, whether assigned by the game developers, or realized over time by players. Realms become localized communities where players befriend other players, form packs and guilds, speak a universal language, and manipulate their version of the World of Warcraft world into something unique.
Game developers themselves have established certain World of Warcraft servers with various playing styles in mind. For the most part, there are four general types of realms: player versus environment, player versus player, role playing player versus environment and role playing player versus player. A player versus environment realm is a normal realm; with their avatars, players interact with certain scripted artificial intelligence characters. They develop their own characters, fulfill challenges and collect gold, weapons and armor. In a player versus player realm, however, players are allowed to fight each other. No character is safe, and players are able to collect quick experience points by disposing of other players in the realm.
When role playing, a player will literally take on the role of his or her character; in the fantasy world, he or she will speak, act and make decisions as if he or she were her character. Role playing World of Warcraft servers have strict expectations of the players who play in those realms: they have to role play. When talking or emoting, they have to be in character, and they cannot slip out of character and use internet jargon or discuss the events of their days. Role playing realms, while available in both player versus environment and player versus player modes, are serious gaming realms, and players who do not take the rules seriously can be banned from these particular World of Warcraft servers.
The Realm of Imagination
Realms are, essentially, World of Warcraft servers; players connect to a local client, which allows them access to the world. Realms, or virtual servers, exist so that the physical servers are not overwhelmed by too many players trying to connect, and so each player can connect quickly and securely. Basically, there is a server for every country, every region, and even many cities and towns. Each server hosts its own copy of the gaming world, so every player experiences the same world, characters and quests. However, the existence of multiple realms means that a single player will not interact with every other player connected to the game, only those players connected to his or her World of Warcraft servers.
Aside from the technological necessity for World of Warcraft servers, realms are invaluable within the game as well. Each realm takes on a prescribed set of characteristics, whether assigned by the game developers, or realized over time by players. Realms become localized communities where players befriend other players, form packs and guilds, speak a universal language, and manipulate their version of the World of Warcraft world into something unique.
Game developers themselves have established certain World of Warcraft servers with various playing styles in mind. For the most part, there are four general types of realms: player versus environment, player versus player, role playing player versus environment and role playing player versus player. A player versus environment realm is a normal realm; with their avatars, players interact with certain scripted artificial intelligence characters. They develop their own characters, fulfill challenges and collect gold, weapons and armor. In a player versus player realm, however, players are allowed to fight each other. No character is safe, and players are able to collect quick experience points by disposing of other players in the realm.
When role playing, a player will literally take on the role of his or her character; in the fantasy world, he or she will speak, act and make decisions as if he or she were her character. Role playing World of Warcraft servers have strict expectations of the players who play in those realms: they have to role play. When talking or emoting, they have to be in character, and they cannot slip out of character and use internet jargon or discuss the events of their days. Role playing realms, while available in both player versus environment and player versus player modes, are serious gaming realms, and players who do not take the rules seriously can be banned from these particular World of Warcraft servers.
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