Perhaps, not so long ago, the concept of online gaming seemed far-fetched and unimaginable. By the late 1970s, the gaming world had fallen into a cycle of repetition. No new excitement was being brought to gamers, as most games followed a single, linear storyline. Typically, you would play as the hero, battling enemies and defeating them.
In the 1970s, while we witnessed the first generation of computer games, the internet and networks were also advancing significantly. In 1974, with the release of Maze War, these two technologies intersected. This game was among the first graphical games and a pioneer in the realm of online gaming. At the time, online games were mostly played in universities (the University of Essex being the first). However, in the 1980s, computers became more affordable, and faster modems, capable of speeds up to 300 bits per second, entered the market. This made online gaming accessible to the public.

"The first online game released with modern graphics was Neverwinter Nights, launched in 1991 for the DOS operating system and Commodore 64. It had around 5,000 users at its peak. Following this, games like Baldur's Gate and EverQuest were introduced, though networked gameplay was very expensive at the time, costing $6 per hour. EverQuest, developed by Sony, was a successful game that remained at the top of the U.S. sales charts for five years.
The second generation of online games began with the release of Anarchy Online. Online games entered a new era with the launch of Final Fantasy XI, offering larger worlds, stronger narratives, and more engaging gameplay. These games, available on PC and PS2, attracted millions of players, transitioning from thousands to millions of users. Lineage 2 alone managed to attract 2.5 million players. Additionally, Eve Online became the first space strategy game in the online gaming world.
The third generation of online games began with the legendary World of Warcraft (WoW). This game ignited a global phenomenon that has yet to fade. With an average of 15 million users in its early years, it became the most lar online game and continues to hold that title. Its main competitors were Everquest 2 and Star Wars: Galaxies. Following that, Guild Wars arrived, further contributing to the growth of online gaming. This generation proved that online games could be highly profitable.Despite these advancements, it can be concluded that online games started slowly around the world. However, with the increase in internet speed, wider bandwidth, and the decreasing costs of these services for consumers, online gaming has become the primary form of entertainment for young people in the 21st century. Online games have transcended borders, enabling anyone, anywhere in the world, to make friends and easily play together, sharing their experiences with one another.