2004 RuneScape fit a multiplayer RPG into 56k dial-up
In 2004 I played too much RuneScape on a 56k modem that died the moment Mum picked up the phone. A 3D world, up to a couple of thousand players on a server, dozens on screen at once - in the browser, on 5 kilobytes per second. It worked. Let's follow a single step and see how.
Summary
RuneScape’s 2004 version managed to deliver an engaging multiplayer experience even on a slow 56k modem, allowing players to interact in a 3D world despite limited bandwidth. The article breaks down the technical steps that made this possible, offering insights into early online gaming.
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