New here - what should I explore first?

[FrostFable]

Hey everyone! Just discovered this archive and I am overwhelmed in the best way. I mainly played casual MMOs and cozy games but I want to learn about the history of online gaming.\n\nWhere should a newcomer start? What are the must-know games and stories?

[PixelPioneer]

Welcome! Start with the big three: Ultima Online, EverQuest, and Asheron Call. They each represent a different philosophy of what an MMO could be, and everything since has been building on their foundations.

[ShadowScribe]

Check out the game profiles here on the archive. I have been writing detailed histories for each one. Start with whichever genre interests you most and follow the connections.

[QuestHoarder]

Honestly just browse the archive and click on whatever catches your eye. Half the fun is discovering games you never knew existed. I find new ones every week.

[MistWeaver]

If you like community-focused games, definitely look into City of Heroes. It had the friendliest community in MMO history. The private server scene is still active if you want to try it.