Playing against a computer is repetitive, but anticipating the gameplay of intelligent human opponents enriches the experience. But the added social dimension of online games isn't just limited to shooting down each other's incarnations on the screen. Game sites add value to the mere playing of games by offering message boards, chat, e-mail boxes, rankings and organised tournaments.
Players make friends and form an online community, brilliant players become celebrities.
For instance, in a game called Quake, players form clans and challenge other clans they meet online. Online playing will have an impact on game design. Not all game plots translate well to online playing. New games will be developed with online playing in mind, both regarding concepts and technology constraints. One important design concept is the sending of very small messages which create much action for the end user.