Today, it’s easy to take for granted that WiFi or a single Ethernet cable can easily connect us to the internet at large. Back in the ‘70s, however, the concept of a consumer computer allowing interaction between people hundreds of miles away was far more novel. And among the tech that stood as a stepping stone, the PLATO System — an instruction system utilized on a phone-line connected series of computer terminals — not only took part in fostering the information age, but it has animportant place in gaming history.
RELATED:The Best Video Games Set In The ’70s
While the PLATO System is no longer supported by modern computers and old mainframe systems are difficult to obtain, many of these games live on through emulation. Notably,cyber1serves as a way to enjoy these classic games that stood as the predecessor to modern MMOs like thenewly releasedLost Ark.
10Spasim
Originallyintended for academic settings, the PLATO system made the distribution of college coursework easy before the advent of GoogleDrive, Dropbox, and the like. But due to its graphical interface and user-friendly scripting language, many were able to use the system to create games.
Spasim, aspace simulation game, was one of the early games to take off. Up to 32 players could join up and take part in large scale battles in a manner similar to modern 4X strategy games. Because it was developed on a learning platform, players also navigated in Cartesian coordinates and managed resources in the far stretches of the galaxy.
9Orbit War
In the same year, 1974, another space battle game gained popularity on the PLATO system. What’s notable aboutOrbit Warwas that it was a remake of 1969’sSpace War!Originally designed for the PDP-1 (and later forthe Atari 2600) — another mainframe computer system that’s made its mark on gaming history — it allowed two players to face off in space dog fights.
Similar toSpasim, some versions ofOrbit Waralso used real star charts and Newtonian physics to heighten its educational potential. Unfortunately, many games on the PLATO System were lost in history due to university administrators deleting what was deemed as a distraction. If only the admins then knew howgames can often be educational.
8dnd
With massive RPG releases coming out weekly, such as FromSoftware’s acclaimedElden Ring, it’s easy to forget the genre’s humble beginnings. Many know the tabletop gameDungeons and Dragonseither as the setting of video games likeBaldur’s Gateor as a social experience to play with friends or online. But back in the 1970s,Dungeons and Dragonspopularized the concept of a group of players taking on the role of adventurers and delving through dungeons to take on fearsome enemies for loot.
RELATED:Dungeons & Dragons: Tips To Create Great Homebrew Campaigns
One of the first attempts to translate this concept on computer systems was Gary Wisenhunt and Ray Wood’s aptly nameddnd. Otherearly role-playing gameswere removed from the system, but Wisenhunt and Woods used their position as students to advocate fordnd— allowing others to soon follow suit.
7pedit5
Whiledndpaved the way for role-playing games,pedit5is often named as the one that inspired them. BeforeUltimaand later CRPGssuch asDiablocame onto the scene, this Plato System RPG allowed up to 30 players to take on a single dungeon. Utilizing spells and skills familiar to those who know classicDungeons and Dragonsrulesets, players would fight until they amassed 20,000 experience points, at which point they would win the game.
Following its success and release, others followed suit, likeOrthanc,which added moredungeons and monsters. Hardcore fans have continued to add to it in the modern day. Years after its release, updates such as an auto-map, more chat functionality, and additional monsters have been added to the game.
6Panther
Tank simulators may not have gained popularity in the same way RPGs have, but 1975’sPantherstill managed to make its mark on the genre. Withfirst-person graphicsprojected in a wireframe style with a top-down mini map, this game influenced Atari’sBattlezoneand other vehicular combat games such as the popularWorld of Tanksseries.
RELATED:Top Tank Missions In Video Games
Despite the limited hardware, Panther boasted arandomly generated mapand team chat mechanics. Players had to team up with strategic tactics to win as resources were limited and one single shot was all it took to be defeated.
5Moria
The stage was set with dungeon crawlers and first-person games prior, andMoriautilized both to create an RPG where players see the world around them through the aid of wire-frame graphics. Not only that butMoriaintroduced survival mechanicssuch as characters requiring food and water along with dying of old age.
Fans of theLord of the Ringswill instantly recognize a familiar name. While developer Kevet Duncombe wasn’t familiar with Tolkien’s work prior to creating the game, Dirk Pellett — who worked on updates fordnd— suggested the name to him. It wouldn’t be the first time Middle Earth has been used as a source of inspiration.
4Avatar
Taking elements from those before it,Avatarpushed the RPG genre on the PLATO System even further. Not to be mistaken forthe animated seriesor theJames Cameron film, 1979’sAvatarsupported up to 60 players with a global messaging system and a sprawling world. Utilizing features from previous dungeon crawlers on this list as well as the hack-and-slash gameOubliette, it was another leap for the MUD genre — a precursor to MMOs.
RELATED:Fantasy-Themed MMOs To Try if You Enjoy Final Fantasy 14
Featuringmore group playthan its predecessors, this PLATO System RPG allowed players to join guilds that handed out quests to overcome grueling challenges. Just because it was possibleto clear dungeons solo didn’t mean it was advised. With limited spell slots — and specialized schools to choose from — players needed a whole party of decked-out adventurers to take on the world’s toughest foes.
3Bugs ‘N Drugs
Unfortunately, not all games survived the ‘70s to make it to an era where emulationarchives forgotten gems. One of many isBugs ‘N Drugs, a game unique among a list of vehicular combat sims and dungeon crawlers. Set in a modern-day hospital instead of a cavernous dungeon, this RPG did something unique among its contemporaries.
Instead of typical rats and goblins, Bugs ‘N Drugs had players battling germs and bacteria. Wielding the correct antibiotics was the only way to take down foes as characters traversed a top-down maze. Perhaps one day a copy of this relic will be found or an aspiring game developer will make something inspired by it.
2Futurewar
Other genres thrived on the PLATO System too. With all this talk of first-person games, it’s no wonder that anearly first-person shootermade its way onto the system too. Set in a sci-fi world,Futurewarhad players traversing a maze with only their trusty gun to take on each level’s monsters.
Those immediately reminded ofDOOMaren’t too far off the mark either. Delving deeper down elevators inFuturewar’slevels will eventually lead players to Hell itself for a head-to-head fight with the devil. WhetherDOOMtook direct inspiration fromFuturewaris unknown, but it certainly was a stepping stone for‘90s FPS classics.
1Empire
Dungeons and DragonsandLord of the Ringsfans learned of their favorite IPs influence in previous entries, butStar Trekfans haven’t been left out. 1972’sEmpirenot only was an early adapter that brought the sci-fi universe to the gaming sphere, but also led advancements in the4X strategy genre.
RELATED:Star Trek Games Worth Discovering (& Best Left Unexplored)
It’s easy now to take for granted the ability to face off against hundreds of players building ships, gathering resources, and securing land. But Empire took the previous concept of multiplayer games, which was typically a one-on-one challenge, and scaled it up to a massive hub. With all of this in mind, it’s interesting to see how games will evolve in the future.
