By now almost everyone will be familiar with the concept of online gaming, Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (or MMORPGs) and virtual worlds. If you haven't played one then it's almost certain that you know someone who does, possibly a teenager, but more and more likely another lawyer, or an accountant or banker. Indeed there are "clans" existing on certain games who all work for the same investment bank or Docklands based law firm (for example).
The demographics of online gaming worlds are infinitely flexible, in July 2007 Blizzard Entertainment claimed that it had over 9 million subscribers to its online fantasy game "World of Warcraft" and Second Life claims a resident population in excess of 10 million, albeit with only a tiny percentage seemingly online at any time. It is, however undeniable that virtual worlds of every type engage a huge number of people who devote large amounts of time, energy and money to these pursuits. Small wonder, therefore, that lawyers
