It started out in 1969 as a simple means of communication between only four major universities, and now is one of the most important parts of the everyday lives of millions. The Internet has evolved significantly since its creation, and one of the latest changes is its impact on gaming.

Ever since the online world was made commercially available there have been attempts to create games that take advantage of the widespread communication and reach it makes possible. However, until recently, the technology was not really there to provide gamers with more than a simple gaming experience.

Where online gaming really made its first splash was with personal computers; it has been a little tougher for video game consoles. Online connectivity was attempted really for the first time in the current generation of gaming consoles, with limited success. However, that is all about to change. In the next generation, online console gaming will most likely explode in popularity, online PC gaming will continue to expand, and we'll even start to see much more in the way of online handheld gaming.

You Don't Need To Be A Rich Technology Geek To Go Online

Sony and Microsoft both tried to get a lot of their PlayStation 2 and Xbox customers to take their consoles online. But of the 100 million units sold collectively between the two systems, only about 10 million of them have actually gone online. In contrast, according to a Nielsen/NetRatings survey last year, there are about 46 million online PC gamers worldwide.

This begs the question of why PC gamers are so much more willing to play online than are console gamers. The answer is simply that it is easier to take a PC online than a console. This current generation of consoles has shown that there are a lot more barriers for online console gaming, such as hefty subscription fees and the complicated installation of software and hardware, and these must be overcome to attract a larger audience.

First, anything that costs extra money is going to stifle the number of potential participants. Xbox Live, the online service for the Xbox system, has a $50 annual fee that deters many gamers. Also, for the original PlayStation 2 model, you had to purchase a network adapter to go online, which is still at its original cost of $40.

Second, and perhaps more important, is the issue of complexity. Even though the gaming industry is at the cutting edge of technology, that does not mean all the individual gamers are. To take your PlayStation 2 online, you need to not only install the adapter but also a direct phone line or Ethernet cable connection. For the Xbox, it takes either a direct cable connection or a wireless connection, which requires an $80 wireless adapter. A lot of people do not know how to set up this kind of equipment, or are simply afraid to alter their console in any way.

For PC owners, it is quite a bit different. Your Internet connection is already set up, and there is no additional cost just to be able to play games on it. You simply pop in your game CD, or go online to an online gaming site, and you are all set. Online console gaming needs to get close to that level of ease and simplicity to have any hope of being successful.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have all learned this, and are working on removing these barriers for their new consoles. Xbox Live for Xbox 360 will have a free basic service, and both the PS3 and Revolution will offer free access to their online service. Also, all three consoles will have wireless adapters built in. Indeed, connecting your next generation console to the Internet may become just another step in setting up your system.