01
Origins
The Inner Circle, Epic, Optigon, multiplayer SimCity, and the original ambition for online community.
Read OriginsTotal Entertainment Network
TEN was launched
in 1994 by
Optigon Interactiveby a team dedicated to online community and games
Optigon put multiplayer SimCity online in 1994. In 1995, TEN brought WizWar, Descent, and most two-player games online. Quake followed in 1996, with TEN adding rankings, events, and professional competition.
- 1994
- SimCity Online
- 1995
- WizWar, Descent + two-player games
- 1996
- Quake on TEN
The history
People, games,
and turning points.
Follow TEN from its Optigon origins through the people who built it, the games they brought online, and the company’s changing direction.
02
People
The founders, builders, community leaders, business team, investors, and the struggle for control.
Meet the team03
Games
WizWar, Descent, Duke Nukem 3D, Quake, rankings, tournaments, and professional competition.
Explore the games04
Timeline
From Goldman’s 1983 BBS to TEN’s 1994 launch, the Outland acquisition, Quake, and Pogo.
Follow the timeline05
Artifacts
Original product sheets, founders’ profiles, interface screens, and the TEN.NET record.
View the artifacts06
Early Artifacts
Optigon’s 1994 announcements introducing TEN and the online debut of multiplayer SimCity.
Read the original releases07
Press
Contemporary reporting on Optigon, TEN, Daniel Goldman, Janice Linden-Reed, and SimCity Online.
Read the coverage