For the last several decades, online gaming has been gaining speed and popularity in our society. Some rejoice at this, while others are dismayed at just how involved our friends and family are in this extra-curricular activity, and how much it invades our lives every day. There are, as with everything else, pros and cons to gaming. And there are many sides to each theory that both support and debunk the benefits and perils that come along with the price tag of purchasing an MMO for casual gaming.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be taking a look at the history of online gaming, how it has grown into our society to become one of the biggest industries of today's entertainment world, and what impacts it has had on our lives... from in-game romances leading to life-long relationships to claims of gaming causing homicidal rage and suicidal tendencies. Just how much are we benefiting - and risking - by picking up the latest title off the shelf?

"A long, long time ago, in a land far, far away, there were a dwarf and a gnome all alone on a deserted island..."

So just how did online gaming begin? I mean, it had to come from somewhere, didn't it? Was there a Big Bang on the internet and BOOM! Online Gaming was born?

Uhm... not really.