Second Life

MMORPs are clearly here to stay. Each generation is more impressive (and has managed to suck in more people) than the last. The most popular one out there right now would have to be WoW (World of Warcraft), but that is far from the only one and possibly far from the most impressive one.

You see, WoW plays within a number of specifically defined rules and controls. The game Second Life doesn't do that. It was developed with the aim of allowing the participants to help it evolve, the code written in such a way that with clever work it could be expanded upon.

It's going so far that some people actually have full time jobs in this game, even though they are not affiliated with the creating company. Their incomes aren't huge yet, but large enough to live on. (granted, that is actually the case in many MMORPs, but in Second Life this is actually legal). Oh yes, and one last thing, Second Life is actually free at the most basic level.

Oh and I can't help but put up a link to the South Park Episode about WoW.