Editing Netrek (section)

{{Short description|1988 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title = Netrek
|image = Netrek-client-cow.png
|caption = In-game screenshot
|developer = [[Open-source software|Open-source]]
|publisher =
|designer = {{ubl|Kevin Smith|Scott Silvey}}
|platforms = {{ubl|[[Microsoft Windows]]|[[Mac OS X]]|[[Linux]]|[[Unix]] (many variants)|[[NetBSD]]}}
|released = 1988
|genre = [[Real-time strategy]] / [[Shoot 'em up|shooter]]
|modes = Team game: 2–4 teams (usually 2), 1–8 players per team, up to 16 players total, with up to 16 observers.  Internet or local [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] or single player vs. bots
}}
'''''Netrek''''' is an [[Internet game]] for up to 16 players, written almost entirely in [[cross-platform]] [[open-source software|open-source code]]. It combines features of [[Shoot 'em up|multi-directional shooters]] and team-based [[real-time strategy]] games. Players attempt to disable or destroy their opponents' ships in real-time combat, while taking over enemy planets by bombing them and dropping off armies they [[Transporter (Star Trek)|pick up]] on friendly planets. The goal of the game is to capture all the opposing team's planets.

Developed as a successor to 1986's ''[[Xtrek]]'', ''Netrek'' was first played in 1988. It was the [[History of online games|third Internet game]], the first Internet team game,<ref name=ocampo>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespotting-20xx/1100-6091348/ |title=The Greatest Star Trek Game You've Never Heard Of |last=Ocampo |first=Jason |website=GameSpot |date=August 25, 2004 |access-date=22 November 2023}}</ref> and as of 2022 is the oldest Internet game still actively played. It pioneered many technologies used in later games and has been cited as [[prior art]] in patent disputes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2008/02/effs-patent-busters-take-on-broad-multiplayer-gaming-patent.ars |title=EFF's patent busters take on broad multiplayer gaming patent |first=Eric |last=Bangeman |date=3 February 2008 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref> ''Xtrek'' and ''Netrek'' are the oldest games of what is now called the [[multiplayer online battle arena|MOBA]] (multiplayer online battle arena) genre.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}