PMOG

PMOG (Passively Multiplayer Online Game) is an online game which players "passively" participate in while browsing web pages. Players earn data points by visiting unique domains, which they can spend on various game items that can be attached to web pages to trigger events when another player next visits that page.

Origins

One of the founding creators of PMOG is Justin Hall, who is often referred to as the "father of blogging". In 2007, as a graduate student in USC's Interactive Media Division program, he developed the game concept as part of his masters thesis. [cite news |first=Mary Jane |last=Irwin |title=A New Type of Game Turns Web Surfing Into All-Out Information Warfare |url=http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/magazine/16-03/pl_games|publisher=Wired Magazine |date=2008-02-25 |accessdate=2008-05-06 ] The game led to the formation of GameLayers, Inc. with PMOG co-creators [http://www.suttree.com Duncan Gough] , and [http://www.artserf.net Merci Victoria Grace] . A very early public version of PMOG was created with support from [http://www.wonderlandblog.com Alice Taylor] , and [http://www.gyford.com Phil Gyford] ,Fact|date=June 2008.

PMOG experience

The premise of PMOG comes from the fact that internet users spend a large portion of their time multitasking, browsing information, or contacting other people online. PMOG aims to classify and allocate an individual’s internet use and then utilize the gathered information in a unique and playful manner. [cite news |first=Justin |last=Hall |title=Games: Passively Multiplayer Online Game |url=http://interactive.usc.edu/projects/games/20070328-passively_.php|publisher=USC Interactive Media |date=2007 |accessdate=2008-04-29 ]

PMOG was originally an in-browser toolbar that compensated users as they browsed the world wide web. The game has since evolved as a heads-up display overlay in the Firefox web browser. [cite news |first=Jason |last=Hall |title=Playing PMOG - Again |url=http://interactive.usc.edu/members/jhall/|publisher=just in teractive|date=2008-02-03 |accessdate=2008-04-29 ] The design of the HUD and its interface allows users to play with one another via the world wide web. In addition, it allows players to create information quests, complete missions created by other users, place "mines" throughout the web to trip up other users, and place and follow portals to other websites.

By engaging through features of the HUD and through increased web browsing, players lose or gain data points. Data points allow users to buy different types of tools which can enhance the previously mentioned features of the HUD. In addition, the more data points accumulated by users will eventually allow them to select a character type. In total, there are six characters: three fall under the category of "chaotic", whose roles are to place numerous mines, vengeance weapons which prevent mine use, called "St. Nicks" and create portals. Meanwhile, the remaining three characters abide by the "torch of order" and concentrate on protecting other users and provide them useful information through missions [cite news |first=Michael |last=Arrington |title=Play A Multiplayer Online Game While Surfing The Web: PMOG |url=http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/02/play-a-multiplayer-online-game-while-surfing-the-web-pmog/|publisher=TechCrunch |date=2008-02-02 |accessdate=2008-04-29 ] . Another aspect to PMOG is that players can collect numerous badges by the missions that are completed, the manner in which they utilize their tools, or the manner in which they browse the web.

References

ee also

* Web Annotation

External links

* [http://www.pmog.com Official site of PMOG]