Avatar
December 1979 (46 years ago)
Avatar is an early graphics-based multi-user highly interactive role-playing computer game, created on the University of Illinois' Control Data Corporation PLATO system in the late 1970s. It has graphics for navigating through a dungeon and chat-style text for player status and communication with others. It can currently be played online via Cyber1 or a simulation called Javatar. What makes Avatar popular is the high level of interactivity with other players and the sense of community that develops. Development on Avatar began on the University of Illinois PLATO system around 1977; the first version was released by Bruce Maggs, Andrew Shapira, and David Sides in 1979.
Estimated Daily Players
We estimate that Avatar has currently around 5 players daily.
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| Month | Social Score | Change |
|---|---|---|
| August 2025 | ~51 | 12.1% |
| July 2025 | ~58 | 4.9% |
| February 2025 | ~61 | 0.0% |
| January 2025 | ~61 | 1.7% |
| December 2024 | ~60 |
Avatar (CYBIS/PLATO Avatar), originally released in 1979, is recognized as one of the earliest graphical multi-user dungeon RPGs. As a historic online RPG, it has minimal but persistent community activity today—likely only a handful of dedicated players still connect via the CYBER1 PLATO emulator. Its advanced age and strong niche roots limit it to 0–10 daily users in modern times.
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