Old MMORPGs are still very popular today. For example, Lineage is still a success in Korea and WoW is one of the most popular games in the West. But which MMORPG is actually the oldest that is still playable today?
Which is the oldest MMORPG? Back in March 2019, we reported on old MMORPGs that can still be played today on Mein-MMO.
Among these are classics such as Runescape, EverQuest, or Dark Age of Camelot. The mentioned titles are all around 20 years old and still active and popular today.
But one MMORPG beats the three mentioned games, at least in terms of release date: Meridian 59. It was released on September 27, 1996, and is now more than 23 years old.
You can find more old MMOs in our time travel article that describes the history of games from 1976 to 2017.
First 3D MMORPG, still playable on Steam
What is Meridian 59? Meridian 59 was one of the first MMORPGs with 3D graphics. According to the developers, it created the first game world where players could see and interact with each other.
In Meridian 59, there are no direct classes, but selected attributes and skills determine the character’s playstyle. The focus is on exploring the world, which is significantly smaller than today’s MMORPGs.
Meridian 59 features open PvP. Players can attack each other at any time. A defeated character leaves behind all equipment and a part of their XP, which can then be picked up by the opponent.
Where does Meridian 59 stand today? Today, the MMORPG is still very similar to the original version from 1996. However, there have also been developments since the game’s code was released as open source in 2012. This led to the formation of other communities around the game in addition to the “official servers” 101 and 102.
At Meridian59.de, volunteers work on server 112 and even manage it in completely German language. There is a classic version and a more modern 3D client available. The latest update was released in August 2019, not too long ago.
Meridian 59 on Steam? Since 2018, you can also play the MMORPG on Steam. However, only the classic version is available there. The game is free to play, but without a shop or pay-to-win features. It is funded through donations from the community.
The reviews for Meridian 59 are positive. As of November 29 at 15:00, the game has 129 reviews, of which 87% are positive. The following are praised:
- The nostalgia factor.
- The open PvP with full loot, which is supposed to provide an adrenaline kick.
- The active admins who ensure regular events.
The negative comments criticize Meridian 59 mainly for its age, controls, and connection issues. The number of active players is also said to be not large.
A moving development history
How did Meridian 59 come about? Some MIT students and acquaintances began working on Meridian 59 in the fall of 1994. They focused on a graphical environment where players would truly meet.
Most role-playing games before relied on text-based content or were not intended for interaction with other players. This is exactly what the developers of Meridian 59 wanted to change. Fortunately, the new operating system Windows 95 made the representation easier for them.
How did the release of the game go? Before Meridian 59 was released, the developers joined the publisher “3DO”. However, things did not go well financially in the months afterward.
The developers would have preferred to release the game as free-to-play and later monetize it with a subscription model. However, the publisher needed the money and released it as a full-price title and somewhat hastily. Sales then fell short of expectations.
In 2000, the official servers went offline due to the impending bankruptcy of the publisher, but the company “Near Death Studios” took over the game and continued development until 2010. After that, the game went back into the hands of the original developers, and in 2012 the code was made available for free and publicly.
You can read the entire development history on the website of Meridian 59.
Have you already had experience with the MMORPG Meridian 59? Or do you have your own favorite games that are still from the twentieth century? Let us know!
