July 8th 2024.
It's hard to believe that a 27-year-old online role-playing game is still receiving significant updates in 2024. In an era where games are often shut down after just a few months, Tibia has managed to stand the test of time. Developed by Cipsoft in 1997, Tibia is a massively multiplayer online game that has captured the hearts of players for decades.
Despite its long history, Tibia may not be a name that many people are familiar with. However, it is part of a growing list of MMOs that continue to thrive long after more popular titles have been abandoned by their publishers. In fact, just this month, Cipsoft released a summer update for Tibia, adding new areas, monsters, and equipment for players to explore.
One exciting addition to the game is the Soulpit, a wave-based survival arena where players can earn special rewards for making it to the end. But it's not just new content that Cipsoft is focusing on. They have also implemented quality of life updates, such as the ability to quickly loot nearby corpses and improvements to the in-game market interface. These are the types of updates you would expect to see in a game that has only been out for a few months, not 27 years.
According to MMO Populations, Tibia has an estimated 8,350 players per day this month. While this number may seem small compared to the estimated 288,745 players currently playing World of Warcraft, it's still a healthy amount for a game that has been around for almost three decades. In fact, Tibia has even outlasted newer games, like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which only had a peak of 627 players this week.
Tibia is not the first MMO to make its mark in the gaming world. The GemStone series, released in 1988, is often considered one of the earliest examples of an MMO. However, it wasn't until 1991's Neverwinter Nights that the genre really took off with the introduction of graphics. And while many MMOs have come and gone since then, Tibia has remained a constant, even outlasting popular titles like Ultima Online and Meridian 59.
Speaking of Meridian 59, it is currently the oldest MMO still receiving updates today. Originally released in 1996, the game was made available as open-source software in 2012, with the original developers still overseeing its development. And it's not just a few minor updates here and there – Meridian 59 received its last patch in June 2024 and is now available for free on Steam.
But Meridian 59 isn't the only MMO that has stood the test of time. Ultima Online, released in 1997, is still being updated with new servers and rulesets. In fact, a new version of the game, Ultima Online: New Legacy, is scheduled to be released in September of this year. It's clear that these older MMOs have a dedicated fan base that continues to support and play them, even after all these years.
Of course, these games wouldn't be where they are today without the influence of the modern MMOs that popularized the genre, such as EverQuest, World of Warcraft, and EVE Online. But it's fascinating to see how these early games, like Tibia, have managed to not only survive but thrive in an ever-evolving industry.
So, while many games come and go, it seems that Tibia will outlast us all. And who knows, maybe it will still be receiving updates in another 27 years. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and leave a comment below to stay up-to-date with all the latest gaming news. And for an easy way to submit letters and features, check out our Submit Stuff page.
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