|
Meridian 59 - Definition and Overview |
|
|
|
 Meridian 59's new rendering engine.
Meridian 59 is an online computer role-playing game first published by 3DO Studios and now run by Near Death Studios. As a "massively multiplayer", 3D graphical RPG with a flat-rate monthly fee from 1996, it is often credited as the first MMORPG.
Brothers Andrew and Christopher Kirmse initially designed and created the game in their parents' basement in 1994. They founded Archetype Interactive to further develop M59 and were bought by 3DO in June 1996 as the game was transitioning from alpha to its beta test. More than 25,000 players joined the game's beta that lasted until its commercial launch on September 27. The game received various updates throughout its life, each adding new monsters, spells, and areas.
3DO shutdown the game on August 31, 2000 and it was re-released by Near Death Studios in 2002. A new rendering engine was added to the game in October 2004, offering an alternative to its Doom-like graphics. This expansion also included features like dynamic lighting, rebindable keys, mouselook, and other visual improvements.
Expansions
External links
|
|
|
