The first 3D MMORPG is still available to play for free on Steam today. But it is very different from today’s genre representatives.
What game is it about? Almost 30 years ago in 1996, the developers at Archetype Interactive released the first MMORPG called Meridian 59. The game served as a template for the MMORPGs we know today and laid the foundation for World of Warcraft, which was released 8 years later became.
The game introduced important features such as an existing world and a subscription model. Set in a medieval fantasy universe, Meridian 59 focused on competitive gameplay with intense PVP mechanics, guilds and its own economy.
Players could explore vast areas, complete quests and fight against mythical creatures. Nevertheless, the game is hardly comparable to titles of today. There was a 3D graphic, but it was controlled via a text input window.
You can find out why the loot is so colorful in this video:
Why is the loot always white, green, blue, purple and gold?
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You can still play almost 30 years after release
What is Meridian 59 like today? Even today you can still play the world’s first MMORPG for free on Steam. The game is available to download for free, like many other titles on the platform.
Despite his age slowly approaching 30, Meridian 59 is still active today. Thanks to the switch to an open source project in 2012, the game is being further developed by the community, although the actual developers had to close down in 2000.
The MMORPG passed through many hands after that, receiving major updates such as a new graphics engine as well as visual improvements including dynamic lighting and a modern user interface.
Even if Meridian 59 is probably not one of the most popular MMORPGs, the genre probably owes its existence to this game. If you like playing MMORPGs, then take part in our survey: Which MMORPG did you spend the most time on in 2024?