The first 3D MMORPG is still available to play for free on Steam today. But it’s quite different from the genre representatives we have today.
Which game is it? Nearly 30 years ago, in 1996, the developers from Archetype Interactive released the first MMORPG named 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.
The game introduced important features such as a persistent world and a subscription model. Meridian 59 is set in a medieval fantasy universe and focused on competitive gameplay with intense PVP mechanics, guilds, and its own economy.
Players could explore vast areas, complete quests, and battle mythical creatures. Nevertheless, the game is hardly comparable to titles of today. Although it had 3D graphics, it was controlled through a text input window.
Why the loot is so colorful is explained in this video:
Almost 30 years after release, you can still play
What is the status of Meridian 59 today? Even today, you can still play the first MMORPG in the world for free on Steam. The game is available for free download there, like many other titles on the platform.
Despite its age, which is slowly approaching 30, Meridian 59 is still active today. Thanks to its transition to an open-source project in 2012, the game is being further developed by the community, even though the original developers had to close in 2000.
The MMORPG has since passed through many hands and received major updates such as a new graphics engine and visual improvements, including dynamic lighting and a modern user interface.
Even if Meridian 59 may not be among the most popular MMORPGs, the genre probably owes its current existence to this game. If you enjoy playing MMORPGs, feel free to participate in our survey: In which MMORPG did you spend the most time in 2024?
