Today, multiplayer games are among the most popular in the video game industry. However, the genre has undergone significant transformation and, thanks to technological advancements and dedicated enthusiasts, has evolved into its current form. That is why we decided to explore the online gaming history.
The Term Multiplayer Games
Let’s first understand what multiplayer games are. Simply put, they are games that allow two or more players to play together simultaneously. These can include shooters, various strategies (both turn-based and real-time), MOBA games, and much more.
Of course, the first multiplayer game were limited in the number of players and required a single device. Only with the advancement of technology and the Internet did multiplayer gaming transition to the online space.
The First Multiplayer Games
If you are wondering when did multiplayer gaming start, their origins can be traced back to the late 1950s with the creation of Tennis for Two. Later, thanks to the DEC PDP-1 computer, a space battle game for two players called Spacewar! was developed.
A major breakthrough in multiplayer gaming occurred in the 1970s. During this period, games such as the flight simulator Airfight, the strategy game Empire, the shooters Spasim and Maze War, and the first MMORPG Multi-User Dungeon were released. All of these games were developed on the platform PLATO computer system.
Let’s take a closer look at some of these projects. Maze War was a pioneering first-person shooter developed by NASA employees. This game laid the foundation for future FPS games.
Multi-User Dungeon (MUD1) was created by Roy Trubshaw and Richard Bartle. They can be considered the founders of the MMORPG genre, as this text-based game inspired many future developers. It is also recognized as the first commercial multiplayer game.
Another noteworthy developer is Danielle Bunten Berry, formerly known as Dan Bunten, who began her career in the gaming industry with Wheeler Dealers (1978). She later became the game designer of the iconic strategy M.U.L.E. (1983), one of the first releases by Electronic Arts.
In the 1980s, the rise of gaming consoles encouraged video game companies to create more cooperative games. This led to the release of Super Mario Bros. and Golden Axe. Other popular titles included Gauntlet (1985) and Quartet (1986), which allowed four players to play simultaneously.
The Development of Online Multiplayer Games
With technological advancements and the growth of the Internet in the 1990s, multiplayer gaming saw even greater development. This period saw the birth of franchises that remain popular today. Players also gained the ability to play on online servers rather than just local networks and engage in discussions on gaming forums.
In 1993, id Software released their 90s hit Doom. This shooter was groundbreaking for its time, allowing four players to connect via LAN. A few years later, the company released Quake (1996), which became a flagship title in the development of esports shooters. The QuakeWorld expansion allowed up to 32 players to compete on a single online map while minimizing lag issues.
Doom popularized many gaming terms still used today:
- frag — eliminating an opponent;
- gib (from giblets) — tearing an enemy to pieces;
- camp — ambushing or “camping”;
- spawn — the player’s respawn location;
- lag — delay due to slow connection;
- cheat — using codes or unfair methods;
- rage quit — leaving the game due to frustration.
Speaking of shooters, it is essential to mention the Half-Life mod Counter-Strike, which later became a standalone game under Valve. The Counter-Strike franchise remains popular today, with esports tournaments now centered around CS2.
The 1990s also saw Blizzard Entertainment revolutionize real-time strategy games with Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and StarCraft. These projects became key to the genre, with Warcraft serving as the foundation for World of Warcraft and the MMORPG boom.
The Ultima series also contributed significantly to the development of MMORPGs, particularly Ultima Online, released by Origin Systems in 1997. Before UO appeared, many people did not know what is multiplayer gaming. The game allowed players to be part of a vast fantasy world where they could create characters, develop them, and engage in battles or exploration alongside other online players.
Games such as Counter-Strike, Quake, StarCraft, and others have made an important contribution to the development of LAN games for PC multiplayer. Developers saw that gamers were interested in this direction and began to launch more and more similar projects.
Moving closer to the present, it is impossible to ignore PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG). This game played a crucial role in defining the battle royale genre and remains a record-holder for player count on Steam.
PUBG introduced a revolutionary experience where 100 players could compete for survival on a massive map. The gameplay involved searching for loot such as weapons, armor, medical supplies, and other equipment.
Following PUBG’s success, game developers began producing more battle royale projects. While PUBG set the standard for the genre, other companies introduced unique mechanics to differentiate their games. Epic Games’ Fortnite introduced building mechanics and collaborations with famous brands and personalities. Respawn’s Apex Legends gave characters unique abilities to enhance gameplay diversity. Call of Duty: Warzone added a revival system allowing players to re-enter the match, a feature absent in other battle royale games.
The Current State of Multiplayer Games
In recent years, multiplayer games have seen a decline in popularity. Many new projects struggle to retain their player base, quickly losing relevance, while some fail to attract audiences altogether. A prime example is Concord, which launched on August 23, 2024, but was shut down by September 6. The game failed to meet expectations, reportedly selling only about 25,000 copies. In its final days, the number of concurrent players on Steam barely exceeded 700, despite nearly eight years of development.
When players think of multiplayer games, they often consider titles like CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, Fortnite, Warzone, Minecraft, and Apex Legends. These games remain genre leaders. Recent successful releases include Helldivers 2 and Marvel Rivals. However, for games to stay popular, developers must actively support them and release new content regularly.
The decline in multiplayer game popularity is largely due to market oversaturation, particularly in the shooter and battle royale genres. With so many similar games available, developers struggle to offer something truly innovative.
Another significant issue is aggressive monetization. Microtransactions, loot boxes, and paid battle passes often disrupt game balance by allowing paying players to progress faster. This “pay-to-win” model alienates many gamers and negatively impacts player retention. Additionally, players frequently express dissatisfaction when forced to launch games through extra third-party clients. Also, due to the large number of online games, players are starting to look for interesting single-player projects.
Although multiplayer games are facing challenges, the genre is not dying. Projects that successfully adapt to new realities and offer fresh, innovative gameplay still have a chance to succeed.
