New release: Legends of Kesmai (1997 - Win) - https://www.myabandonware.com/game/legends-of-kesmai-zrj #abandonware
February 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
New release: Legends of Kesmai (1997 - Win) - https://www.myabandonware.com/game/legends-of-kesmai-zrj #abandonware
Does Islands of Kesmai count?
January 10, 2026 at 1:08 AM
Does Islands of Kesmai count?
For reference, there's an entire fansite for Kesmai and this is the best image they have: landsofkes.com/archive/iok/...
May 24, 2025 at 6:24 AM
For reference, there's an entire fansite for Kesmai and this is the best image they have: landsofkes.com/archive/iok/...
More friends. More fiends. More allies. More adversaries. The Island of Kesmai is waiting for you.
Source: VideoGames and Computer Entertainment 13 (February 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogames #retrogaming
Source: VideoGames and Computer Entertainment 13 (February 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogames #retrogaming
August 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM
More friends. More fiends. More allies. More adversaries. The Island of Kesmai is waiting for you.
Source: VideoGames and Computer Entertainment 13 (February 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogames #retrogaming
Source: VideoGames and Computer Entertainment 13 (February 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogames #retrogaming
The Island of Kesmai, a text-based MUD (and an inspiration for MMORPGs) arrived in 1985 enjoying a long life via modem-friendly services like National Videotex
This 1992 ad also talks up Galaxy II, a sci-fi title, both for a monthly membership fee of $5.95 with hourly connect charges of up to $9!
This 1992 ad also talks up Galaxy II, a sci-fi title, both for a monthly membership fee of $5.95 with hourly connect charges of up to $9!
September 4, 2026 at 5:15 PM
The Island of Kesmai, a text-based MUD (and an inspiration for MMORPGs) arrived in 1985 enjoying a long life via modem-friendly services like National Videotex
This 1992 ad also talks up Galaxy II, a sci-fi title, both for a monthly membership fee of $5.95 with hourly connect charges of up to $9!
This 1992 ad also talks up Galaxy II, a sci-fi title, both for a monthly membership fee of $5.95 with hourly connect charges of up to $9!
A random Thai guy has an account on Instagram where he sells old American t-shirts: www.instagram.com/p/DCI4KUsTeSU/
He posted this Island of Kesmai t-shirt last year and it's one of the best images I ever saw of any official logo / merch of one of the most important online RPGs of the 80s lol
He posted this Island of Kesmai t-shirt last year and it's one of the best images I ever saw of any official logo / merch of one of the most important online RPGs of the 80s lol
May 24, 2025 at 6:24 AM
A random Thai guy has an account on Instagram where he sells old American t-shirts: www.instagram.com/p/DCI4KUsTeSU/
He posted this Island of Kesmai t-shirt last year and it's one of the best images I ever saw of any official logo / merch of one of the most important online RPGs of the 80s lol
He posted this Island of Kesmai t-shirt last year and it's one of the best images I ever saw of any official logo / merch of one of the most important online RPGs of the 80s lol
The best thing about the EA buy out is going to be in two years time when they're auctioning off the thousands of properties they've been sitting on and doing nothing with them.
I'm thinking of buying the Kesmai library. It'll probably only go for a dollar or two and then I'll own the first MMORPG.
I'm thinking of buying the Kesmai library. It'll probably only go for a dollar or two and then I'll own the first MMORPG.
July 30, 2026 at 11:30 PM
The best thing about the EA buy out is going to be in two years time when they're auctioning off the thousands of properties they've been sitting on and doing nothing with them.
I'm thinking of buying the Kesmai library. It'll probably only go for a dollar or two and then I'll own the first MMORPG.
I'm thinking of buying the Kesmai library. It'll probably only go for a dollar or two and then I'll own the first MMORPG.
Ran across an article about MultiPlayer BattleTech on GEnie back in the day. I was GEnie's Game Producer for this one and helped put together the contract negotiations between Activision and Kesmai (the heavy lifting was done by John Taylor at Kesmai, as I recall).
massivelyop.com/2015/05/16/t...
massivelyop.com/2015/05/16/t...
November 22, 2024 at 2:33 PM
Ran across an article about MultiPlayer BattleTech on GEnie back in the day. I was GEnie's Game Producer for this one and helped put together the contract negotiations between Activision and Kesmai (the heavy lifting was done by John Taylor at Kesmai, as I recall).
massivelyop.com/2015/05/16/t...
massivelyop.com/2015/05/16/t...
- The daily video game history fact -
Island of Kesmai (1985) is considered a major forerunner of modern massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
The game included some of the first online questing systems.
Presentation video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFks...
Island of Kesmai (1985) is considered a major forerunner of modern massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
The game included some of the first online questing systems.
Presentation video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFks...
October 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
- The daily video game history fact -
Island of Kesmai (1985) is considered a major forerunner of modern massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
The game included some of the first online questing systems.
Presentation video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFks...
Island of Kesmai (1985) is considered a major forerunner of modern massively multiplayer online role-playing games.
The game included some of the first online questing systems.
Presentation video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFks...
If you look on the shelf there's actually a couple of really sneaky references! Including some items from Legends of Kesmai :3c
I'm REALLY LATE TO THIS but here's my contributions to @alistairarsene.bsky.social 's lore video!! You can now gaze upon my most scientific of notations~
#Hodmedoodles
#Hodmedoodles
June 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
If you look on the shelf there's actually a couple of really sneaky references! Including some items from Legends of Kesmai :3c
Finally, Kesmai will have its revenge
September 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Finally, Kesmai will have its revenge
Here's the game design document for the elusive Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025, an online BattleTech game that only made it to Beta before becoming a victim of EA's 1999 buyout of Kesmai.
mega.nz/file/jhsixaJ...
mega.nz/file/jhsixaJ...
October 17, 2024 at 7:41 PM
Here's the game design document for the elusive Multiplayer BattleTech: 3025, an online BattleTech game that only made it to Beta before becoming a victim of EA's 1999 buyout of Kesmai.
mega.nz/file/jhsixaJ...
mega.nz/file/jhsixaJ...
I used to pay 12.95/hour (in 1989 dollars) to play Kesmai over a 1200 baud modem, so, that's my baseline for judging the cost/hour of play for entertainment. :)
When asking "what's a fair price", consumers reasonably compare GTA to the value they expect to personally get from the game - and the benchmark is not what Tetris charged in 1988, but competing entertainment products on the market in 2026.
July 15, 2026 at 5:44 PM
I used to pay 12.95/hour (in 1989 dollars) to play Kesmai over a 1200 baud modem, so, that's my baseline for judging the cost/hour of play for entertainment. :)
'Legends of Kesmai' for me. One of the very first Graphical MMORPG
September 14, 2024 at 10:17 PM
'Legends of Kesmai' for me. One of the very first Graphical MMORPG
I have repeatedly stated that I will pay one full US dollar for The Island of Kesmai. No way EA gets a better offer than that.
August 21, 2026 at 3:14 AM
I have repeatedly stated that I will pay one full US dollar for The Island of Kesmai. No way EA gets a better offer than that.
Damn Punk Kids: "Wah! 12.95/month for unlimited playtime for WoW is soooooo expensive!"
Me: "Shaddup you little weirdos, Uncle Lizard is gonna tell you about Island of Kesmai and 12.95 an HOUR for 1200 baud dial up..."
Me: "Shaddup you little weirdos, Uncle Lizard is gonna tell you about Island of Kesmai and 12.95 an HOUR for 1200 baud dial up..."
September 17, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Damn Punk Kids: "Wah! 12.95/month for unlimited playtime for WoW is soooooo expensive!"
Me: "Shaddup you little weirdos, Uncle Lizard is gonna tell you about Island of Kesmai and 12.95 an HOUR for 1200 baud dial up..."
Me: "Shaddup you little weirdos, Uncle Lizard is gonna tell you about Island of Kesmai and 12.95 an HOUR for 1200 baud dial up..."
TONIGHT at 8:30PM EST! Retro MMO Legends of Kesmai, good music, and fun hangs!
twitch.tv/shiningheartvt
twitch.tv/shiningheartvt
August 19, 2023 at 5:31 PM
TONIGHT at 8:30PM EST! Retro MMO Legends of Kesmai, good music, and fun hangs!
twitch.tv/shiningheartvt
twitch.tv/shiningheartvt
First online game was Island of Kesmai on Compuserve. A museum had an always on Compuserve connection and I tried that out without understanding it.
First Internet game was Descent. I got an ISP specifically to use Kali, an IPX to TCP/IP converter, with it. I wound up making a bunch of levels, too.
First Internet game was Descent. I got an ISP specifically to use Kali, an IPX to TCP/IP converter, with it. I wound up making a bunch of levels, too.
April 3, 2025 at 1:31 PM
First online game was Island of Kesmai on Compuserve. A museum had an always on Compuserve connection and I tried that out without understanding it.
First Internet game was Descent. I got an ISP specifically to use Kali, an IPX to TCP/IP converter, with it. I wound up making a bunch of levels, too.
First Internet game was Descent. I got an ISP specifically to use Kali, an IPX to TCP/IP converter, with it. I wound up making a bunch of levels, too.
It's almost impossible to narrow it down to 9, but this is pretty good. Honorable mentions to Space Wars, Galaga, Combat, Islands of Kesmai, British Legends, The Legend of Kyrandia, Ultima III, Jumpman, Lode Runner, Lemmings, Doom, Quake, Warcraft, Starcraft, World of Warcraft, etc. my9games.com
March 6, 2026 at 2:23 AM
It's almost impossible to narrow it down to 9, but this is pretty good. Honorable mentions to Space Wars, Galaga, Combat, Islands of Kesmai, British Legends, The Legend of Kyrandia, Ultima III, Jumpman, Lode Runner, Lemmings, Doom, Quake, Warcraft, Starcraft, World of Warcraft, etc. my9games.com
I remember that being worked on. I feel like I was at Kesmai at the time.
March 29, 2025 at 1:03 PM
I remember that being worked on. I feel like I was at Kesmai at the time.
(ICE and Kesmai were a few blocks apart in downtown Charlottesville.)
January 30, 2024 at 6:40 AM
(ICE and Kesmai were a few blocks apart in downtown Charlottesville.)
(Generado por IA y en periodo de prueba)
El 17 de septiembre de 1983, se lanzó el primer videojuego de rol en línea, "Island of Kesmai", marcando un hito en la evolución de los juegos y la interacción en línea. #UndiaComoHoy #Tecnologia #SiguemeYTeSigo #FollowBack
El 17 de septiembre de 1983, se lanzó el primer videojuego de rol en línea, "Island of Kesmai", marcando un hito en la evolución de los juegos y la interacción en línea. #UndiaComoHoy #Tecnologia #SiguemeYTeSigo #FollowBack
September 17, 2024 at 1:02 PM
(Generado por IA y en periodo de prueba)
El 17 de septiembre de 1983, se lanzó el primer videojuego de rol en línea, "Island of Kesmai", marcando un hito en la evolución de los juegos y la interacción en línea. #UndiaComoHoy #Tecnologia #SiguemeYTeSigo #FollowBack
El 17 de septiembre de 1983, se lanzó el primer videojuego de rol en línea, "Island of Kesmai", marcando un hito en la evolución de los juegos y la interacción en línea. #UndiaComoHoy #Tecnologia #SiguemeYTeSigo #FollowBack
On the topic on online worlds, this is an amazing timeline. Islands of Kesmai on CompuServe was my first, as a teenager, and I was obsessed (and ran up a $300 phone bill one month). www.raphkoster.com/games/the-on...
The Online World Timeline
The following is a timeline of significant events for the development of virtual worlds. I welcome more additions to the timeline. Check at the bottom for a list of sources. Created March 4th, 2000…
www.raphkoster.com
May 2, 2026 at 10:25 PM
On the topic on online worlds, this is an amazing timeline. Islands of Kesmai on CompuServe was my first, as a teenager, and I was obsessed (and ran up a $300 phone bill one month). www.raphkoster.com/games/the-on...
Island of Kesmai, on CI$, has a few things to say on the subject. :)
November 7, 2023 at 3:30 PM
Island of Kesmai, on CI$, has a few things to say on the subject. :)
This would've been an old Kesmai project. I worked with lots of those folks while I was at Mythic. I *think* my old Audio Director gave it to me. Lots of Colbert voiceover.
It's also a VERY early example of the character of "Stephen Colbert" he would go on to perfect on various shows down the line.
It's also a VERY early example of the character of "Stephen Colbert" he would go on to perfect on various shows down the line.
March 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This would've been an old Kesmai project. I worked with lots of those folks while I was at Mythic. I *think* my old Audio Director gave it to me. Lots of Colbert voiceover.
It's also a VERY early example of the character of "Stephen Colbert" he would go on to perfect on various shows down the line.
It's also a VERY early example of the character of "Stephen Colbert" he would go on to perfect on various shows down the line.