# Dungeons & Dragons Online > 2006 video game **Wikidata**: [Q1196795](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1196795) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_&_Dragons_Online) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dungeons-dragons-online ## Summary Dungeons & Dragons Online (DDO) is a massively multiplayer online role‑playing game (MMORPG) launched on 28 February 2006. Developed by WB Games Boston and published by Warner Bros. Entertainment, the game brings the tabletop Dungeons & Dragons experience to Microsoft Windows and macOS and operates under a free‑to‑play model. ## Key Facts - **Release date:** 28 February 2006 (initial launch). - **Developer:** WB Games Boston, an American video‑game studio based in Westwood, United States. - **Publisher:** Warner Bros. Entertainment. - **Genre:** Massively multiplayer online role‑playing game (MMORPG). - **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows and macOS; distributed via optical disc and digital platforms such as Steam (Steam App ID 206480). - **Business model:** Free‑to‑play. - **Ratings:** ESRB Teen (with Alcohol Reference, Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence), USK 12, PEGI 12. - **Awards:** Nominated for and won the British Academy Games Award for Multiplayer in 2006. - **Official website:** (English). - **Primary language:** English (user interface and voice acting), with German and French UI support. ## FAQs ### Q: What kind of game is Dungeons & Dragons Online? A: DDO is a massively multiplayer online role‑playing game that adapts the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop rules for a persistent online world. ### Q: When was Dungeons & Dragons Online first released? A: The game launched on 28 February 2006. ### Q: Is Dungeons & Dragons Online free to play? A: Yes, DDO operates under a free‑to‑play model, allowing players to download and play without an upfront purchase. ### Q: Which platforms can I play Dungeons & Dragons Online on? A: DDO is available for Microsoft Windows and macOS, and can be installed via Steam or physical optical discs. ### Q: Who developed Dungeons & Dragons Online? A: The game was developed by WB Games Boston, an American studio that originated in 1994. ## Why It Matters Dungeons & Dragons Online marked a pivotal moment in bringing the iconic Dungeons & Dragons tabletop experience to the digital realm, establishing one of the first major MMORPGs built on the D&D rule set. Its launch in 2006 demonstrated the viability of licensed tabletop properties in the online gaming market, influencing subsequent adaptations and expanding the reach of role‑playing games to a broader audience. The title’s transition to a free‑to‑play model helped shape industry trends toward accessible, ongoing revenue structures, while its cross‑platform support broadened player inclusivity. Recognized with a British Academy Games Award for Multiplayer, DDO set a benchmark for cooperative online gameplay, fostering a dedicated community that persists through regular updates and expansions. Its enduring presence underscores the lasting appeal of classic role‑playing mechanics in modern, networked environments. ## Notable For - **Award‑winning multiplayer experience:** Won the 2006 British Academy Games Award for Multiplayer. - **Free‑to‑play pioneer:** Early adopter of the free‑to‑play model among major MMORPGs. - **Cross‑platform availability:** Supports both Windows and macOS, distributed via Steam and physical media. - **Authentic D&D adaptation:** Implements core Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, offering a faithful tabletop experience online. - **Extensive multilingual UI:** Provides English, German, and French user‑interface options. ## Body ### Development and Release - Developed by WB Games Boston, a studio founded in 1994 in Westwood, United States. - Published by Warner Bros. Entertainment. - Initial launch date: 28 February 2006; a later update or re‑release noted on 25 June 2012. ### Gameplay and Features - Classified as a massively multiplayer online role‑playing game. - Multiplayer video‑game mode emphasizes cooperative and competitive play. - Utilizes the Dungeons & Dragons rule set, delivering tabletop‑style combat and character progression. - Free‑to‑play structure allows players to access core content without purchase; optional microtransactions provide additional content. ### Platforms and Distribution - Runs on Microsoft Windows and macOS operating systems. - Available through optical disc and digital distribution, primarily via Steam (Steam App ID 206480). - Distributed by Steam, with additional presence on platforms such as GOG and Lutris. ### Ratings and Reception - ESRB rating: Teen, with content descriptors for Alcohol Reference, Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence; Online Interactions Not Rated. - USK rating: 12; PEGI rating: 12. - Review score of 79/100 from Kritikanstvo, reflecting generally positive critical reception. ### Awards and Recognition - Nominated for the British Academy Games Award for Multiplayer on 12 September 2006. - Won the British Academy Games Award for Multiplayer on 5 October 2006. ### Community and Legacy - Supports multiple languages: English (UI and voice), German UI, French UI. - Maintains an active player base through regular updates and expansions, often referred to by the “Stormreach” moniker. - Listed across numerous gaming databases (e.g., Steam, Metacritic, IGDB, Speedrun.com), underscoring its broad industry footprint. ## References 1. [Games](https://www.bafta.org/awards/games?award-year=2006) 2. Steam 3. Kritikanstvo 4. ESRB rating database 5. [2006 British Academy Video Games Awards Nominees. 2006](https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/12/2006-british-academy-video-games-awards-nominees) 6. GameSpot 7. [PCGamingWiki](https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Dungeons_&_Dragons_Online) 8. Trovo Live 9. Q124398839 10. GamesMeter.nl 11. GOG Dreamlist