The transition from the experimental 90s video game era to the polished and HD-ready 2000s marked a significant evolution in gaming. Console developers moved beyond simple collect-a-thons and platformers, delving into more mature and realistic gaming experiences. Meanwhile, PC gaming, which had seen substantial growth in the previous decade, witnessed a shift away from many titles, focusing on a few mouse and keyboard classics.
The 2000s marked a period where video games gained more cultural recognition. It was a time before AAA publishers heavily invested in gaming projects and before indie games became mainstream. Despite facing controversies, games in the 2000s encouraged social play, showcased artful designs, and appealed to a wider audience.
The Rise of Massively Multiplayer Online Games
World of Warcraft and its Contenders
- MMOs gained popularity in the previous decade, but it was World of Warcraft that propelled the genre into the mainstream.
- Despite competition, Blizzard's World of Warcraft remained unrivaled in its success.
While console gaming gained momentum in the 2000s, one genre stood out on PCs: massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), with World of Warcraft leading the pack. While local multiplayer thrived with games like Halo, WoW attracted hundreds of thousands of players, immersing them in the world of Azeroth. Despite attempts from other games like Guild Wars and Warhammer Online, none could dethrone WoW.
The Era of Instrumental Rhythm Games
Plastic Guitars, Drum Kits, and Music Enthusiasts
- Guitar Hero popularized instrumental rhythm games in the West, introducing plastic guitar controllers and social gameplay.
- Nintendo joined the trend with Donkey Konga, incorporating bongo drum controllers into gameplay.
Rhythm games existed before the 2000s but gained new momentum with Guitar Hero, allowing players to experience the thrill of being a rockstar with guitar-shaped controllers. Games like Frequency and Dance Dance Revolution laid the foundation for this trend. Donkey Konga by Nintendo added a unique twist with bongo controllers. While the popularity of rhythm games waned by the end of the decade, recent years have seen a resurgence without the need for plastic instruments.
The Emergence of MOBAs from RTS
From Modded Maps to Global Esports
- Warcraft 3 mods birthed the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) genre, focusing on individual units and strategic gameplay.
- Games like League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth expanded on the DotA concept, captivating millions of players.
Despite the rise of consoles, PC gaming thrived in the 2000s, especially in real-time strategy (RTS) games. The genre evolved with the introduction of MOBAs, stemming from mods in Warcraft 3's