While MMORPGs constitute a shifting, ever-evolving market, their history remains surprisingly evergreen. That’s what history is: Facts and stories stamped and preserved for our learning and edification. Also, there’s something about the Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act.
The Game Archaeologist is our effort to investigate and clearly lay out the course of development and operation of MMOs over the last several decades, including titles that never made it to launch. As we like to do this time of year, we present to you now a full index of this column, separated by eras and enriched with the newer offerings written in 2024. Enjoy!
Proto-MMOs from the 1970s and 1980s
MMOs from the 1990s
MMOs from the 2000s
MMOs that never launched
Miscellania
Believe it or not, MMOs did exist prior to World of Warcraft! Every two weeks, The Game Archaeologist looks back at classic online games and their history to learn a thing or two about where the industry came from… and where it might be heading.
