MMORPG
Ongoing coverage on MMORPG.
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WRUP: Stat blocks for the weird dudes at your local McDonald’s edition
The Massively OP staff and community share their gaming plans for the weekend, with discussions centering on MMORPGs like City of Heroes, Final Fantasy XIV, and World of Warcraft. Several staff members also reflect on the most impactful video games from their past, with Ultima Online, City of Heroes, and Dragon Quest being frequently cited.
The Stream Team: Bringing back Blair’s book in AdventureQuest 3D’s Amityvale
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie will be playing AdventureQuest 3D's latest Amityvale adventure live on stream. The segment will focus on a quest involving a missing spirit-recording book and a forest that becomes 'funky'. The stream is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, September 11th, 2026.
Betawatch: Monsters & Memories plunges testers into The Deep, Loftia begins pre-registrations, and ArcheAge S is on its way next year
Several MMORPGs are entering new testing phases or preparing for launch. Monsters & Memories is plunging testers into 'The Deep' ahead of its early access, while Loftia has begun pre-registrations. ArcheAge S is slated for a Q2 2027 release, with gameplay previews coming soon. Legends of Aria Eternal and Valheim have officially launched, while Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen has experienced layoffs.
The Game Archaeologist: World of Warcraft is unfairly portrayed as the villain of MMO history
This article challenges the common narrative that World of Warcraft is the villain responsible for homogenizing the MMORPG genre. Instead, it argues that bad game design and a lack of approachability in pre-WoW MMOs were the primary factors that led to their decline, with World of Warcraft simply offering a more polished and user-friendly experience.
The Daily Grind: Do you dip into your past MMOs to see whether you’re feeling them again?
This article discusses a common player behavior in MMORPGs where players periodically log back into past favorite games to gauge their interest in returning. It poses the question to readers whether they engage in this practice and how often they decide to stay or simply 'lookyloo'.
The Stream Team: The plants are taking over in Dungeons & Dragons Online’s Overgrowth
Massively OP's MJ Guthrie is continuing the Song of Druid's Deep quest arc in Dungeons & Dragons Online with the Overgrowth instance. This part of the story focuses on the infected home of Peron Uthe, where plants have taken over the lodge. The stream will cover the second part of this quest arc.
Vague Patch Notes: In defense of not knowing what you like in MMORPGs
This analysis argues for the importance of exploring games outside of one's established preferences, particularly within the vast landscape of MMORPGs. The author suggests that while knowing what you like is valuable for understanding game design, a tendency to stick to familiar genres can lead to complacency and missed opportunities for discovery. The piece advocates for an open-minded approach, even when faced with vague patch notes or games that don't immediately appeal, highlighting personal experiences with games like Final Fantasy XIV and Nightmare Reaper as examples of unexpected enjoyment.
MapleStory’s September patch comes with Spanish language support, faster leveling, and a new collab
MapleStory's September update introduces a collaboration with Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, offering players new adventures and rewards until October 7th. The patch also includes beta support for the Spanish language, faster leveling for players between levels 210 and 259, and various balance adjustments and bug fixes.
AION 2 – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
AION 2, an MMORPG featuring aerial combat and faction wars, is opening beta sign-ups. The game is set in a world significantly larger than the original AION and includes over two hundred dungeons and extensive character customization options.
Riders of Icarus officially returns from its sunset this fall, with closed beta scheduled for September 29
The pet-taming MMORPG Riders of Icarus is returning as Icarus Online this fall, developed by Valofe and published by GOP Co. Ltd. The free-to-play title will feature adjustments to creature types, abilities, and dungeon rewards, with a closed beta scheduled from September 29th to October 5th.
PC and mobile MMORPG Architect Land of Exiles ties down a September 16 Asian region release
The PC and mobile MMORPG Architect: Land of Exiles will launch in Asian territories on September 16th, with pre-downloads available on September 14th. The game will be accessible on PC via the official site and on mobile through Google Play and the App Store.
Dungeons and Dragons Online begins testing a major balance pass, including a new enhancement tree feat
Dungeons and Dragons Online has begun testing a major balance pass as part of Update 82, which includes global weapon combat changes, Reaper adjustments, and a rework of monster damage reduction. The studio, Standing Stone Games, is also introducing a new feat called 'Lock In' for two-handed weapon users.
Wakfu rolls onto its newest season celebrating Ankama’s anniversary with Ivory Season
Wakfu has launched its new Ivory Season, coinciding with Ankama's anniversary. This season introduces community objectives on a mysterious island, offering players tokens for prizes like the Dawn's Helm and Firefly Boots, alongside the Ivory Biome and Ivory Adventurer title.
Guild Wars 2 Visions of Eternity Reaches Its Climactic Finale With Code of Creation | Invision Game Community
ArenaNet has announced Code of Creation, the final major update for Guild Wars 2 Visions of Eternity, concluding the expansion's storyline with new areas, rewards, and challenging group content. The update introduces the Leyspring Hollows zone, new armor and weapon sets, and the Wages of Stars legendary sword. It also adds a new 10-player raid, a five-player fractal, and a 50-player convergence encounter.
Casually Classic: Tempering personal expectations for the WoW Classic BlizzCon announcement
The author discusses tempering expectations for the upcoming World of Warcraft Classic announcement at BlizzCon 2026. While acknowledging the community's intense speculation and anticipation, the piece advises a more grounded approach to receiving the news, suggesting that the reality may differ from fan-driven rumors.
Ragnarok Universe Pioneer Test Is Now Live, GamingPH Is Giving Away 500 Access Codes
Ragnarok Universe has launched its latest Pioneer Test, allowing players to experience the upcoming browser-playable MMORPG. GamingPH is distributing 500 access codes to readers who join the official Discord server and provide proof via their Facebook page. This test aims to gather player feedback for ongoing development.
Star Stable developer suffers layoffs to ensure the MMO can ‘adapt, grow, and deliver memorable experiences’
Star Stable Entertainment, the developer of the equestrian MMORPG Star Stable, has undergone a restructuring that resulted in approximately 20% of its workforce being laid off. Interim CEO James Watkins stated the move is intended to reduce operating costs and refocus resources to ensure the game's future adaptability and growth. The article expresses concern over the industry's impact on even softer games and hopes for the affected employees.
Star Trek Online walks players through Spock’s life with September 22’s Rediscovered update
Star Trek Online is releasing the 'Rediscovered' update on September 22 for PC and November 10 for consoles, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Star Trek and focusing on the life of Spock. The update will feature three versions of Spock, including performances by Ethan Peck and Piotr Michael, and archived voice work from Leonard Nimoy. Additionally, the update includes a new episode set in 2409, gifting options, and a new version of the Enterprise.
Skyrim Co-Lead Thought Bethesda Would Start The Elder Scrolls 6 Development Right After Fallout 4
Former Skyrim co-lead Kurt Kuhlmann revealed that many at Bethesda expected to begin development on The Elder Scrolls 6 immediately after Fallout 4, but the studio instead focused on Fallout 76 and the new IP Starfield. Kuhlmann expressed that the decision to prioritize Starfield, described by Todd Howard as his 'dream game,' was a surprise to many developers who would have preferred to work on The Elder Scrolls 6.
Albion Online makes tweaks to Ancient Lands portals to combat camping in PvP zones
Albion Online has implemented changes to its Ancient Lands portals to address player camping in PvP zones. The update reduces the lock time for small portals and increases entry times for medium and large portals, while also making portals appear on the map at all times. Sandbox Interactive plans further adjustments to portal rarity and spawn rates in the future.
