There are now an incredible number of MMORPGs with an open world. But which one was there first? We at MeinMMO take you back to the year 1996 and look at Meridian 59.
Meridian 59 was the first MMORPG with 3D graphics and is one of the first MMOs ever. It is therefore considered a pioneer of subsequent MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft.
Does the game still exist? In fact, this veteran of an MMORPG is still playable today. In 2018 it even received a Steam version and is available there for free download.
To this day, Meridian 59 has a loyal following that still plans and runs events.
Despite ancient graphics, there are invested players
The game throws you into a modern-day fantasy setting with sword and sorcery, in which you have to fight monsters.
What content does Meridian 59 offer?
In the video you can see 5 other old MMORPGs that are still being played:
5 Old MMORPGs That Are Still Actively Played
The story of a MMORPG classic
The alpha version of Meridian 59 started in December 1995. The original developer was Archetype Interactive.
The game was released in the US in 1996 and in Germany in 1997. It was the first MMORPG that was entirely available in German.
After being published by 3DO Company, Meridian 59 only lasted until 2000, when the offering was discontinued due to the operator’s bankruptcy. In 2002, MDO Entertainment took over the MMORPG. In 2004, the old 3D graphics were updated.
In 2012, the source code of Meridian 59 was released as free software (open source) with some exceptions.
What do you think of Meridian 59? Can you remember it and maybe played it earlier in your youth? Or were you not even born in 1996? How important do you think it is to look back from modern MMORPGs to old classics like Meridian 59? Write it to us in the comments here on MeinMMO!
Are you interested in the new expansion of WoW? Here you can find information about the release of Wrath of the Lich King.