Last week, a delightful thread on Bluesky highlighting the early incarnations of now-massive websites sparked a wave of nostalgia. The post, shared by Annie Rauwerda (@annierau.bsky.social), showcased how sites like doordash.com, hulu.com, and even x.com once served vastly different, often personal, purposes. This got us wondering: what did popular video game websites look like in their primaeval forms?
"openai.com" was once the personal homepage of a guy named glenn (2001), and "tiktok.com" was the quaint shared homepage of a couple as their relationship progressed from dating to married with a baby (2000). THREAD!!!
Annie Rauwerda (@annierau.bsky.social)
Using the Internet Archive, we embarked on a journey through time to uncover the retro faces of iconic gaming websites. Here are some of the most fascinating finds:
Major Publishers' Retro Charm
Starting with the big players, EA's 1997 website is a treasure trove of retro design, complete with flipping squares around the "Welcome to EA Online" banner. Nearby, Jane's Combat Simulations and Bullfrog's site, with its quaint browser width instructions, offer a glimpse into the era's simplicity.
Ubisoft's late 90s site is a standout, boasting an enthusiastic announcement for "THE POD GAME SERVICE" and promising E3 appearances. Meanwhile, Blizzard's 1996 website, though basic, highlights the longevity of Battle.net, with job listings that seem almost quaint by today's standards.
Evolution of Gaming Media and Unexpected Past Lives
Gaming media websites often lacked extensive archives from the 90s, but Polygon's early form (if correctly identified) and EpicGames.com's 1996 version, touting the "Games Sampler 2 for Windows 95," provided insight. However, the real surprises lay in websites with deceptively simple names.
Discord.com, now synonymous with gaming communities, was once a haven for a MUD enthusiast's interests, including poetry, musicals, and fantasy literature. Similarly, Elgato.com, before its streaming gear evolution, surprisingly housed a cigar shop around 1996.
Kotaku, a pillar of gaming news today, had humble beginnings, with its earliest archived version from October 2004 showcasing a vastly different aesthetic.
What This Means for Players and the Industry
This retro dive isn't just about nostalgia; it highlights the industry's exponential growth and the shift from personal, quirky spaces to the corporate, content-rich platforms we know today. For players, it's a reminder of how accessibility and community features have evolved, significantly impacting the gaming experience.
The transformation of these websites also underscores the adaptability required in the tech and gaming sectors. As the internet and gaming technologies continue to advance, reflecting on these roots reminds us of the importance of innovation and user-centric design.
Key Takeaways
- EA's 1997 website featured interactive, flipping squares as part of its design.
- Ubisoft's early site promoted "THE POD GAME SERVICE" with evident enthusiasm.
- Discord.com originally belonged to a fan of MUDs, poetry, and fantasy literature.
- Elgato.com was once a cigar shop before transitioning to streaming accessories.
As we move forward in an era of sleek, sophisticated gaming websites, taking a step back to appreciate these humble beginnings not only indulges our nostalgia but also provides a valuable perspective on the industry's remarkable evolution.
