Biggest step forward for gaming in the 21st century

[IcaroRibeiro]

Doctor_MG said:

IcaroRibeiro said:

In 1999 average connection speed was 56 kbps and only 150 million people in world had access to internet and half of them were in USA

For all intends and purposes there was games with online capabilities but "online play" as a synonymous for MMOs did not existed 

Ultima Online came out in 1997. Neverwinter Nights came out in 1991. Everquest came out in 1999. There were definitely MMO's. Even Counterstrike released in 1999. Not an MMO, but still something that is synonymous with online play. Starcraft came out in, what, 1998? That game was HUGE for online gaming, and is STILL active to this day.  

I just don't see why many are suggesting that this is a 21st century thing. It really isn't. It's like suggesting that 3D gaming is a 21st century thing, because 3D games are much more popular now than back then too, and they didn't exist quite to the extent they do now. 

Those games were, but virtue of infrastructure, unplayable for the majority of population. I personally don't feel we can call them MMO when they lack the meaning of the fist letter (Massive). They were online playing at best 

I'm aware first generation MMOs exist, but they were in no sense relevant. In the same way motion controls and VR technology already existed way back, and even 3D existed in the 80s. But when talking about industry availability and historical context are equally important. 2nd generation MMOs are the ones that ultimately changed how games are designed and people's relationship with gaming, and 2nd generation MMOs is a 2000s thing