{"id":3289,"date":"2025-02-28T12:31:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T12:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lorgar.com\/blog\/?p=3289"},"modified":"2025-03-17T08:34:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T08:34:24","slug":"the-history-of-online-games-the-first-multiplayer-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lorgar.com\/blog\/the-history-of-online-games-the-first-multiplayer-game\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Online Games"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Term Multiplayer Games<\/b><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

The First Multiplayer Games<\/b><\/h2>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n