# Instanced dungeon

- Term: Digital term
- Canonical: https://www.lanternhall.org/lexicon/instance/

> A copy of a dungeon or zone created separately for one group, so parties do not compete for the same monsters in a shared world. Instancing solved the problem of thousands of heroes all wanting to slay the same dragon.

A copy of a dungeon or zone created separately for one group, so parties do not compete for the same monsters in a shared world. Instancing solved the problem of thousands of heroes all wanting to slay the same dragon.

**Origin:** When instancing first appeared is uncertain; The Realm Online (1996) is sometimes credited, and Anarchy Online and World of Warcraft made it standard.

## Quick answers

**What does "Instanced dungeon" mean?**
A copy of a dungeon or zone created separately for one group, so parties do not compete for the same monsters in a shared world. Instancing solved the problem of thousands of heroes all wanting to slay the same dragon.

**Where does the term "Instanced dungeon" come from?**
When instancing first appeared is uncertain; The Realm Online (1996) is sometimes credited, and Anarchy Online and World of Warcraft made it standard.

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From The Lantern Hall (https://www.lanternhall.org/), a museum of fantasy literature and roleplaying games.