A History of Online Game Development
The history of online game development is a relatively short one, given the recent explosion in the popularity of gaming over the past few decades. However, in those short years, the industry has seen some massive changes.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the major milestones in online game development and how they’ve shaped the games we play today.
Online Game Development Industry
Online Game Development is the process of creating internet games. Games that are played online can be either video games or browser-based games.
The industry of online game development has seen some massive changes over the past few decades. Some of the most significant changes have been:
- the introduction of 3D graphics,
- the rise of multiplayer gaming,
- the popularity of mobile gaming.
Early years – The introduction of 3D graphics
One of the earliest examples of online gaming came in the form of text-based multi-user dungeons (MUDs). These role-playing games allowed players to interact with each other in real-time. Early MUDs were developed in the 1970s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that they began to gain popularity.
3D graphics were first introduced in the arcades with games like Dragon’s Lair (1983) and Space Ace (1984). These games used laser discs to store the animations for the game. The introduction of 3D graphics changed the way that games were played and created. Developers could now create more realistic environments and characters.
The first commercial MUD was called the Island of Kesmai and was launched in 1984. It was followed by several others, such as Legends of Future Past and Dungeons and Dragons: Shadow Sorcerers. These early games laid the foundation for modern MMOs, such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV.
1990-2000 – The rise of multiplayer gaming
The 1990s saw the rise of first-person shooters (FPS), which quickly became some of the most popular genres among gamers. Early FPS games such as Doom and Quake were single-player focused, but it wasn’t long before developers began experimenting with multiplayer gaming. One of the earliest examples was Duke Nukem 3D, which featured rudimentary multiplayer support via modem or local area network connection.
The 1990s saw the birth of online gaming as we now know it. Although there had been previous attempts at creating games that could be played over a network, it wasn’t until the release of Doom in 1993 that the concept took off. Doom was a big hit, not just with gamers but with developers as well. emancipated from the need to create games specifically for one platform or another, they were free to experiment with new ideas and gameplay mechanics.
The 1990s also saw the rise of MMORPGs, or massively multiplayer online role-playing games. These were (and still are) hugely popular, with some titles maintaining active player bases of millions of people worldwide. The most notable examples from this era are Ultima Online and EverQuest.
It wasn’t until 1998 that a true multiplayer FPS game would be released: Half-Life Deathmatch. This game took Duke Nukem 3D’s multiplayer concept and expanded upon it, bringing multiplayer FPS gaming to the masses. From there, online gaming would only continue to grow in popularity, with new genres and gameplay mechanics being introduced all the time.
The rise of multiplayer gaming began with early text-based MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons). These were followed by popular games like Doom (1993) and Quake (1996), which allowed players to compete against each other in real time. The popularity of multiplayer gaming led to the development of online gaming services like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.
The 2000s – Present Day – The popularity of mobile gaming
In the early 2000s, online gaming continued to grow in popularity. This was helped in no small part by the explosion of broadband internet access in households around the world. No longer were players limited to playing text-based MUDs; they could now play graphically-intensive games with others in real-time. Popular titles from this era include World of Warcraft, Star Wars Galaxies, and Second Life.
Recent years have seen the rise of mobile gaming and social gaming.
The popularity of mobile gaming has exploded in recent years with the introduction of smartphones and tablets. Mobile gaming is estimated to generate $137.9 billion in revenue by 2021, while social gaming generates $24.3 billion annually. The most popular mobile games include Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, and Pokémon Go, while popular social games include Words With Friends and Farmville.
Conclusion
Online gaming has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1990s. What started as a niche hobby has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry with something to offer everyone. Whether you’re looking for an immersive RPG experience or a quick puzzle game to play on your lunch break, there’s an online game out there for you.