Hey there, gaming aficionados! If you’re someone who appreciates a bit of a history lesson, buckle up because we’ve got a big one for you today. It’s about a game that’s been around for two whopping decades, a real titan in the mobile MMORPG realm. Yes, we’re talking about the one and only TibiaME!
Twenty years ago today, our mates over at CipSoft released this gem and frankly, we’ve been hooked ever since. Not only is TibiaME the oldest mobile MMORPG that’s still being actively developed, but it’s also managed to accumulate a staggering 10 million users since 2003. We reckon that’s not half bad for a game that kicked off in the era of monochrome Java mobile phone displays and when mobile internet was more of a luxury than a given!
Let’s take a trip down memory lane, shall we? TibiaME officially went live on May 12, 2003, in partnership with T-Mobile, primarily for feature phones running the Symbian operating system. As smartphones evolved, so did the game, proving to be a resilient survivor in the rapidly changing mobile gaming landscape.
According to Ulrich Schlott, one of CipSoft’s founders and managing directors, they were gambling on the future of the market, even before smartphones and apps were part of everyday chatter. And boy, did that gamble pay off! It’s no surprise, really. After all, these are the same folks who brought us Tibia in 1997, one of the first MMORPGs for the PC. Talk about being ahead of the curve!
The 20th anniversary celebrations of TibiaME have come bearing gifts. The game now boasts a fresh user interface and a fully revamped starting area. And for the gaming nostalgics among us, there’s a special treat. You can now visit one of the islands in its classic look, complete with daily challenges and unique rewards.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Fancy a duel with the game creators themselves? You’re in luck, as they’re making guest appearances as bosses in TibiaME, with their Java mobile phones long since swapped out for nifty smartphones.
So, there you have it, folks! A good old walk down memory lane with a game that has not only shaped but also survived the evolution of the mobile gaming industry. If you haven’t already dived into the world of TibiaME, now’s the perfect time to do so.
Now it’s over to you. We want to hear your thoughts on this game! Have you been part of the TibiaME community since its inception? Or are you a newcomer just getting your feet wet? Share your favourite TibiaME moments or challenges in the comments below, or hop over to our Gaming.Buzz Community Discord and join the conversation.