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Doom
Doom was one of the biggest games that launched the online gaming scene to where it is today and it popularised one of the biggest multiplayer modes in 'deathmatch'. Picture Credit: http://www.doomworld.com/pageofdoom/images.html -
Miniclip
Whilst not the first, or the last, of its kind Miniclip became a centre for online flash games. There are many like it but this remains one of the most popular. Funding for this site is mostly throught banner ads. Picture Credit: miniclip.com -
Xbox Live
Xbox Live was launched by Microsoft in 2002 as a way for users to play games on the Xbox console over the internet. Most games that came out after this update featured some form of online multiplayer mode or some form of score tracking, if not both, Funding for this is through subscriptions fees. Picture Credit: xbox.com -
Steam
Steam is a PC digital distrubution, multiplayer and communications platform created by the Valve corporation. It is a hugely successful platform which dominates the digital distrubution scene. Picture Credit: store.steampowered.com -
Xbox Live - Update
Xbox Live had a major update upon the release of the Xbox 360 console in 2005. Picture Credit: xbox.com -
PlayStation Network
In 2006 Sony released a network along side its PS3 which offered similar services as Xbox Live. Picture Credit: au.playstation.com -
Uplay
Uplay is a Ubisoft version of Steam. Unlike Origin (EA) it continued to support Steam releases after launch. Uplay also offers free games. -
Steam comes to the Mac
In May 2010 Steam released a version of itself that will run on Mac OS X. -
PlayStation Plus
In 2010 Sony released a paid subsription version of the PSN which offered more features. The PSN was still available for those who did wish to pay. -
Origin
Origin is an EA only version of Steam. It faces critiscm from users due to account deleting protocols and is widely regarded as inferior to Steam. EA removed their titles from Steam when they launched Origin. Picture Credit: origin.com -
PSN Gets Hacked
In 2011 the PSN got hacked and Sony faced huge outrage as over 77 million users were affected in various ways. The network was temporarily unavailable and sensisteive information was lost. -
Steam comes to Linux
In February 2013 Steam released a version of itself for the Linux operating system.
