Overview
BBS door games were programs that ran on bulletin board systems, allowing multiple callers to play games asynchronously. Since only one user could connect at a time, games were turn-based, with each player making moves that others would see when they called in.
Fast Facts
- Era: 1980s-1990s
- Platform: BBS (Bulletin Board Systems)
- Connection: Dial-up modem
- Gameplay: Turn-based, asynchronous
- Players: Sequential, not simultaneous
How It Worked
| Step |
Process |
| 1 |
Dial BBS with modem |
| 2 |
Select door game from menu |
| 3 |
Take your turns/moves |
| 4 |
Log off (phone line freed) |
| 5 |
Others call, take their turns |
Popular Door Games
| Game |
Genre |
Notes |
| TradeWars 2002 |
Space trading |
Complex economy |
| Legend of the Red Dragon |
RPG |
Combat and quests |
| Barren Realms Elite |
Strategy |
Empire building |
| Usurper |
Fantasy RPG |
Dungeon crawling |
| Operation: Overkill |
Sci-fi RPG |
Post-apocalyptic |
Technical Architecture
| Component |
Function |
| BBS software |
Host system |
| Door |
Game executable |
| Drop file |
Player data transfer |
| Data files |
Persistent game state |
Social Aspects
BBS door games fostered community:
| Element |
Impact |
| Leaderboards |
Competition |
| Inter-BBS leagues |
Wider communities |
| Local players |
Same area codes |
Decline and Legacy
| Era |
State |
| Peak |
Late 1980s-early 1990s |
| Decline |
Internet replaces BBS |
| Legacy |
Precursor to MMOs |
Door games proved people would pay for online gaming, paving the way for commercial online services and MMORPGs.
See Also