Neverwinter Nights was released in 1991 and required players to pay hourly fees to play the text-based online game over slow modems. Ultima Online, released in 1997, was a massive hit that featured 3D graphics, communication between players, housing, and earning in-game money. World of Warcraft, released in 2004, was also instantly popular for its large 3D fantasy world with highly customizable avatars, detailed environments, and competitive gameplay aimed at leveling up through combat with other players and wildlife.

1. WORLD OF WARCRAFTULTIMA ONLINENEVERWINTER NIGHTS
Modems and MMO RPGs
1991 1997 2004
NW=NeverWinter Nights
UO=Ultima Online
WoW= World of Warcraft
Hosts
0
25
50
75
100
NW UO WoW
Modem
Speed1MB
0
500000000
1000000000
NW UO WoW
617,000 19,540,000
0
1750000
3500000
5250000
7000000
NW UO WoW
115,000 250,000
Peak Users
Neverwinter Knights was released in 1991 and
players had to pay $6 an hour to play the online
mode. 2D based with pixelated graphics in
order to enable it to appear 3D, players could
walk through doors and buy food, armour and
weapons. However, these actions were all text
based as too were fighting sequences. The era’s
slow modem speeds and lack of hosts poses big
difference from today’s gaming spectrum.
In 1997, Ultima Online was released and
was instantly a massive hit, with 3D
graphics, the ability to communicate with
other players, build your own house and
earn virtual, in game money. Players
were gifted with character customisation.
Collecting resources such as rock and
wood could earn money. Over time,
playerʼs stats could increase.
World
of
Warcra*
came
out
in
2004
and
was
instantly
a
massive
hit.
A
fantasy
3D
world,
much
larger
than
Ul@ma
Online’s,
with
highly
customisable
3D
avatars,
the
game
has
so
much
detail,
with
seDlements,
forests,
mountains
and
an
encyclopedia
of
wildlife.
Players
can
kill
this
wildlife
as
well
as
fellow
online
players,
to
gain
XP
and
increase
their
ranking,
enhancing
the
compe@@ve
edge.
It
features
high
defini@on
polygon
graphics
prevent
pixila@on.