Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (commonly abbreviated MMORPG) is a genre of computer role-playing games in which a large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world. As in all RPGs, players assume the role of a fictional character (often in a fantasy world), and take control over many of that character's actions. MMORPGs are distinguished from single-player or small multi-player CRPGs by the number of players, and by the game's persistent world, usually hosted by the game's publisher, which continues to exist and evolve while the player is away from the game.

In the past it was largely debated if playing video games makes people more aggressive and leads to violence. There has been numerous studies disproving this fact. However, people who play MMORGPGs do experience a detachment from reality. Certain characters in games have commonly known traits (some are more aggressive, some are smarter, etc.) and people tend to take on those traits while playing that character. Additionally, players tend to become more aggressive and act in ways they would not normally because the characters in the game become a mask for the players to hide behind. For instances, in World Of Warcraft, people are only known by their login name. No other information pertaining to who they are is provided.