The earliest fantasy computer games really began in about 1975. Generally speaking, these games were offshoots from early university based mainframe textual role playing games in PDP-10 and Unix based computer systems. These early fantasy computer games were text in nature with no graphics whatsoever.

By the end of the 1970s, elementary graphics started to appear in fantasy computer games. In addition, as computer technology advanced, these games started to operate far faster. Moreover, as the nationwide network of computer terminals started to develop (the early precursor to the Internet) more and more people were able to access multi-player and similar types of fantasy computer games.

In 1980 an extremely popular game, Rogue, was released. The game featured much improved graphics and a better game playing speed. Indeed, this game inspired a whole host of other fantasy computer games of the same genre throughout the remainder of the 1980s. Indeed, Rogue remained one of the most popular of all fantasy computer games until 2000, with continued updates and revisions all along the way.

Real time game play really started in about 1987 with Dungeon Master. This game allowed for different interface innovations as well as the ability to directly manipulate objects and the environment though the use of a mouse.

The Might and Magic series of games, beginning in 1986, had a major impact on fantasy computer games. Might and Magic games featured a high complexity of game statistics, innovative weapons and spells and absolutely enormous worlds in which a person can play. The Might and Magic games has spawned a number of different individual games in the whole series. On some level, these games were the direct precursors of games like the mammoth World of Warcraft which is enjoyed by millions of people today.

Throughout the course of the past thirty years, there has been a tremendous amount of technological development achieved in regard to fantasy computer games. In addition, an ever increasing number of people are becoming involved in playing these types of fantasy computer games each and every year. Into the future, further advancement in technology is expected to occur in regard to fantasy computer games. Moreover, it is anticipated that an ever increasing number of people will be drawn to playing fantasy computer games into the future.

Of course, the most significant trend in this regard will be the number of people who are involved in playing fantasy computer games on the Internet and World Wide Web. It is here that the future of fantasy computer games really does lie. This includes what are known as massive multi-player online games which involve and include thousands of players even at one point in time.