I'm working with Julian Reyes and the Virtual Worlds Museum on compiling the most complete list of sunsetted virtual worlds that have existed since the groundbreaking Habitat* in 1986.
But are we missing any? You can see the full still being revised list with descriptions and links of sunset worlds here on the VRM site, or review them in chronological order below.
We're defining "sunsetted virtual worlds" as platforms which are a) a multi-user but non-MMORPG virtual world depicted in 2D or 3D graphics, b) where users can customize their own space/room/realm/etc., and c) are no longer generally or commercially available to access online.
Here's our list, nearly 50 in all, so far:
- Habitat (video game) - 1986 to 1988
- MicroMUSE - 1990 to 1994
- CitySpace - 1993 to 1996
- Horseland - 1994 to 2019
- The Palace - 1994 to 2001
- Active Worlds - 1995 to 2010
- Cybernet Worlds - 1995 to 2010
- CyberTown - 1995 to 2012
- KidsCom - 1995 to 2019
- Starbright World - 1995 to 1997
- OZ Virtual - 1996-1999
- WorldsAway - 1995 to 1998
- SAPARi - 1997-2003
- Forterra Systems - 1998-2010
- Worlds.com - 1998-2020
Virtual world titles from 2000 onward below:
- WeeWorld - 2000-2017
- Adobe Atmosphere - 2001-2004
- MyCoke - 2002-2010
- Toontown Online - 2003-2013
- Croquet Project - 2004-2009
- Club Penguin - 2005-2017
- Coolroom - 2006-2008
- HiPiHi - 2006-2012
- Metaplace - 2006-2010
- Vside - 2006-2009
- OpenLife Grid - 2007-2013
- Smeet - 2007-2024
- (Lil) Green Patch - 2008-2010
- Google Lively - 2008-2008
- ourWorld - 2008-2021
- Pet Society - 2008-2013
- Playstation Home - 2008-2015
- SmallWorlds - 2008-2018
- Solipsis - 2008-2009
- Twinity - 2008-2021
- YoVille - 2008-2014
- Blue Mars - 2009 - 2014
- High Fidelity - 2013-2020
- Altspace - 2015-2023
- WaveXR - 2016-2020
- Anyland - 2016-2024
- Open Cobalt - 2016-2022
- Pararea VR - 2017-2024
- Stageverse - 2017-2024
- Mozilla Hubs - 2018-2024
- Third Room - 2021-2023
- Alakazam - 2023-2024
- PixelMax - 2021-2024
- Yabal - 2021-2024
Let us know if we missed any, or if any don't actually qualify under the criteria above. Please let us know in Comments or contact the Virtual Worlds Museum directly here!
* Habitat, by the way, was reincarnated in 2017 as an open source project called Neo-Habitat.
Star Wars Galaxies.
Posted by: Michael Shaw | Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 04:20 AM
Been keeping an eye on this project. The Second Life 'exhibit' is hosted on Horizon Worlds.
My irony meter took the week off after reading that.
Posted by: sirhc desantis | Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 05:49 PM
Activeworlds is still actively being used and is available.
Posted by: T. Shawn Johnson | Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 04:20 PM