Diamondcuts02's Blog

5 Experiences that Redefined Online Gaming in 2010 [Mashable Awards]

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As part of the upcoming Mashable Awards, we’re taking a closer look at each of the nomination categories. This is “Best Online Game,” click HERE for our previous coverage. Be sure to nominate your favorites and join us for the Gala in Las Vegas! Gaming has shifted in the past decade from an introverted, anti-social experience to the connected, social space that is modern online gaming. Its rapid evolution, however, has made it a difficult thing to define. Online gaming is made up of different “types” of games and gamers, each with their overlapping benefits. If some of your fondest memories were made playing Duke Nukem 3D on the Total Entertainment Network, then you’ll likely appreciate the competitive nature of online gaming. If your college roommates watched you devolve into some sort of Gollum-like creature after playing Ultima Online for 72 hours straight, then you’re probably the hardcore type who wants to lose yourself in an online world (much like the siren’s call of World of Warcraft). If you’ve been joyfully tending your acreage in FarmVille, then you’re likely part of a new breed of casual gamers who just want a small but meaningful social diversion. Regardless of how you classify yourself, you should take pride in saying, “I’m a gamer.” So here are some of the coolest things in online gaming that have made us proud to be gamers this year:

See more at mashable.com