The Invention of the MMO
This article explores the historical significance of the Commodore 64, a low-cost home computer that revolutionized gaming in the 1980s. It highlights how the machine's affordability and unique hardware design helped transition video games from arcades to the home.
Why it matters
It provides historical context for the evolution of modern gaming and the democratization of computing technology.
Virginia Postrel and Works in Progress Sep 09, 2026 36 2 Share Behind the first massively multiplayer virtual world was a home computer that was comically underpowered by today’s standards. Introduced in November 1982, the Commodore 64 was named for its then-generous 64 kilobytes of memory. In its twelve years on the market, it became the best-selling desktop computer in history. A conservative estimate puts its sales at 12.5 million machines worldwide.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in