When video games first debuted, they were essentially solitary activities. A typical video gaming session involved one player, using a console, or a computer, and an interactive video interface. As the video game industry developed better technology, two player games became more common. Most often, these would involve two players taking turns. Later, simultaneous two player games, and multiple player games were developed.
In the past decade, however, these initial baby steps into a more socialized concept of gaming have become giant strides. By the 1990s, online gaming using PCs and Macs exploded. Users could interact with hundreds, or even thousands, of other players over an internet connection. These games utilized real-time interaction during game play, and embedded chat functions. The popularity of this more interpersonal gaming concept was not lost on console manufacturers, and many consoles like XBox began to install connectivity functions into their machines. Game developers were happy to supply consumers with console-based games that allowed for interpersonal, social play.
Today, regardless of platform, online gaming has become the rule rather than the exception. Every genre, from first person shooter to role playing fantasy, has embraced this phenomenon. And online games have extended into other social online functions as well, with popular sites like Facebook and MySpace offering gaming applications to users.