New World
News, coverage and analysis tracking New World across the outlets.
Even Hideo Kojima is afraid that 'digital data will no longer be owned by individuals' and that access to art…Hideo Kojima has expressed concerns about the future of digital ownership, fearing that players will eventually lose control over their digital data and access to art. This sentiment is amplified by Sony's reported move towards a fully digital PlayStation ecosystem by 2028, raising anxieties about game preservation and the potential loss of access to purchased content due to external factors like server shutdowns or company closures.- MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffsThis week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
- New World’s last devs ask players to post their patch wishes for the MMO before its 2027 sunsetAmazon's New World game director Katy Kaszynski has opened a player wishlist forum for the MMO, which is slated to shut down in January 2027. While the development team will review player requests for changes and improvements, there is no guarantee that any suggestions will be implemented before the game's sunset.
- MMO Week in Review: ArcheAge’s revival, Guild Wars’ CCGThis week's MMO news roundup covers a variety of topics including Guild Wars receiving a CCG in China, ArcheAge's revival, and Richard Garriott's efforts to regain Ultima copyright. It also features updates on Tomo Endless Blue's Kickstarter success, Embers of the Uncrowned, and Diablo Immortal's new Warlock patch.
- New World’s June update reduces the number of people required for raids and arenasAmazon's MMORPG New World is receiving a June update that reduces the number of players required for raids and arenas. The update also adds new Steam achievements, triples territory XP and umbral drop rates, and disables the OPR/CTF PvP mode rotation on specific servers. The game is slated to sunset in January 2027.
- Massively Overthinking: Is the era of the themepark MMORPG over?Industry veterans discuss the sustainability of themepark MMORPGs, with Raph Koster suggesting rising development costs are making the model unsustainable. While some argue that modern themeparks incorporate sandbox elements to survive, others believe the dichotomy is false and that innovation from both styles is key. The discussion highlights the challenges of content creation speed versus player consumption and the evolving player base's preferences.
- Everyone, including Amazon, is being extremely weird about the Lord of the Rings MMOAmazon continues to be ambiguous about the status of its Lord of the Rings MMO, leading to widespread confusion and reports of its cancellation. Despite multiple outlets and internal assumptions suggesting the project is dead, Amazon executives have repeatedly avoided confirming a cancellation, instead stating that the company is evaluating concepts and prototypes for new game experiences within the IP.
A new MMO announcement is more exciting than all the other SGF news combinedThe announcement of Guild Wars 3 has generated significant excitement, overshadowing other gaming news. The author expresses a deep love for MMORPGs, particularly the Guild Wars series, and anticipates Guild Wars 3 will offer a fresh experience with its new setting and mechanics. The article also touches on the decline of new MMORPG releases and the unique shared discovery that defines the genre.- Massively Overthinking: What’s the next best thing to your favorite MMORPG?The Massively OP staff discusses where players might migrate if their favorite MMORPGs were to shut down. Contributors share personal experiences of losing beloved games like City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, and explore whether direct replacements are sought or if players move to different genres entirely. The consensus leans towards players finding games with familiar elements rather than exact replicas, or embracing a more transient gaming experience.
Amazon wants to take over from IO Interactive after 007 First Light successAmazon, the owner of the James Bond franchise, is reportedly interested in taking over publishing duties for future 007 games from developer IO Interactive following the success of 007 First Light. While Amazon acquired the IP through its purchase of MGM Studios, its own game development efforts have been largely unsuccessful, leading to speculation about whether it will develop games in-house or continue its partnership with IO Interactive.- Massively Overthinking: How much effort do you put into your MMO characters’ backstories?The Massively OP staff discusses the varying levels of effort they put into creating backstories and personalities for their MMORPG characters. While some players craft elaborate narratives, others prefer simpler concepts or let personalities emerge organically through gameplay, with some games like Palia naturally encouraging more in-depth role-playing.
'People want MMOs', says veteran designer Jack Emmert, it's the publishers chasing WoW-level scope that…Veteran designer Jack Emmert believes players still want MMOs, citing the sales of New World as proof, but argues that publishers' pursuit of WoW-level scope and budget leads to failure. He suggests that a more focused vision and reasonable expectations are key to creating successful new MMOs, rather than trying to replicate existing giants.- Cryptic’s Jack Emmert on hungry MMO fans and games that are ‘basically features, but without any soul’Cryptic Studios' Jack Emmert believes the MMORPG genre still has a strong audience, citing games like New World and World of Warcraft. He argues that many new MMORPGs fail due to a lack of focused design, resulting in "features without any soul" and bloated budgets, which publishers often push for.
- WRUP: The context of this entry is Guillaume editionThis week's 'What Are You Playing' roundup features staff and community members discussing their weekend gaming plans. Titles mentioned include Star Wars Galaxies Legends, The Division 2, Forza Horizon 6, Final Fantasy XIV, and Age of Empires IV, among others. The discussion also includes a bonus question about the definition of a 'quick errand'.
- Evening InterviewsCryptic Studios head Jack Emmert stated that the success of New World indicates a strong demand for MMORPGs, suggesting the genre is ready for innovation. The article also touches on Josh Sawyer's journey into the gaming industry.
"People want MMOs, and the sales of New World proved it" – Cryptic Studios head Jack Emmert on why MMOs are ripe for reinventionCryptic Studios CEO Jack Emmert believes the MMORPG market is still strong, citing the sales of New World as proof, despite recent cancellations. He argues that successful MMOs should focus on a distinct vision and niche audience rather than trying to appeal to everyone, which often leads to diluted experiences. Emmert also emphasizes the importance of rapid prototyping and controlled scope for long-term success in the genre.- Doomed MMORPG New World’s latest patch makes Mutations and Soul Trials more accessibleAmazon has released a new update for the MMORPG New World, making its Mutations and Soul Trials content more accessible. The Soul Trial cooldown has been reduced to six hours, and the weekly Mutation run limit has been increased to 100, with daily rotations. The update also includes several bug fixes, such as addressing issues with players being kicked to the main menu and the AFK timer.
Wemade Expands Starter Support Event for Global Launch of Legend of YMIR, Introduces Content for Indonesia - GameHauntWemade has expanded starter support for the global launch of its MMORPG, Legend of YMIR, introducing full Indonesian language support and region-specific content. The six-week event offers new players Rare to Epic-grade gear, daily bonuses, and cultural items like a Barong Ket-inspired Disir and Indonesian food buffs. This update aims to ease the learning curve for beginners while integrating local heritage, following a similar approach seen in the Philippines server launch.- WRUP: The context of this is that something very good happened to Guillaume but at Etienne’s expense editionThis article is a weekly roundup of what games the Massively OP community and staff are playing, featuring a bonus question about car preferences in video games. Contributors discuss their weekend gaming plans across various titles including Star Wars Galaxies Legends, Guild Wars 2, The Division 2, and Final Fantasy XIV, while also sharing their favorite types of cars in games, ranging from vintage to sports models.
Amazon Cancels Lord of the Rings MMORPG - GameHauntAmazon Games has canceled its Lord of the Rings MMORPG, which was in development since 2023 with Embracer Group. The company cited economic and technical challenges, opting instead to pursue a smaller, single-player or co-op experience in Tolkien's universe. This marks the second time Amazon has failed to launch a Lord of the Rings MMO, with a previous attempt canceled in 2021 due to disputes with Tencent.