Developer: Near Death Studios

Meridian 59 (1995)

by Ji-yeong
written by Ji-yeong 5 minutes read

Summary

Meridian 59: The Game That Pioneered the MMORPG Genre

Released in 1995, Meridian 59 was the first graphical massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). It was a groundbreaking title that laid the foundation for the massively popular MMORPGs of today, such as World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, and Elder Scrolls Online.

Meridian 59 was set in a medieval fantasy world called Elanthia. Players could create characters from a variety of races and classes, and then explore the world, fight monsters, complete quests, and interact with other players. The game featured a rich and detailed world, with a complex storyline and a variety of environments to explore.

One of the most innovative features of Meridian 59 was its player-driven economy. Players could create and sell items, and even form guilds to pool their resources and work together towards common goals. This player-driven economy helped to create a sense of community and cooperation among players.

Meridian 59 was also one of the first MMORPGs to feature a player-versus-player (PvP) combat system. Players could choose to engage in PvP combat in designated areas of the game world, and could even form teams to battle against each other in organized player-versus-player events.

Meridian 59 was a critical and commercial success, and it is widely considered to be one of the most important and influential MMORPGs ever released. It paved the way for the massively popular MMORPGs of today, and its legacy continues to inspire game developers and players alike.

Gameplay

Meridian 59 featured a variety of gameplay elements that were common to MMORPGs of the time, including:

  • Character creation: Players could create characters from a variety of races and classes, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
  • Exploration: Players could explore a vast and detailed world, with a variety of environments to discover, from forests and mountains to dungeons and castles.
  • Combat: Players could fight monsters and other players using a variety of weapons and spells.
  • Quests: Players could complete quests to earn experience and rewards.
  • Player interaction: Players could interact with each other in a variety of ways, including chatting, trading, and forming guilds.

Legacy

Meridian 59 is widely considered to be one of the most important and influential MMORPGs ever released. It pioneered many of the features that are now standard in MMORPGs, including a persistent world, player-driven economy, and player-versus-player combat. Meridian 59 also helped to popularize the MMORPG genre, and it is credited with inspiring many of the most popular MMORPGs of today.

The legacy of Meridian 59 continues to this day. The game’s developers, Archetype Interactive, continue to operate the game, and a dedicated community of players keeps the game alive. Meridian 59 is also a popular subject of study for game designers and researchers, who are interested in understanding the history and evolution of the MMORPG genre.

Conclusion

Meridian 59 was a groundbreaking MMORPG that paved the way for the massively popular MMORPGs of today. It was a critical and commercial success, and it is widely considered to be one of the most important and influential MMORPGs ever released. Meridian 59’s legacy continues to this day, and its impact on the MMORPG genre can still be seen in the games that are played today.

Review Score

8/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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