MMORPG
Ongoing coverage on MMORPG.
Latest coverage
The Daily Grind: Do you make or wear anything but the best gear in your MMO?
This article discusses player gear choices in MMORPGs, using Star Wars Galaxies as an example where the author crafts and sells mid-level armor. It questions whether players prioritize the best gear or settle for good enough, suggesting this choice might indicate if a game is a sandbox.
Another doomed Kickstarter MMORPG goes up in smoke as DreamWorld is pulled from Steam
The MMORPG DreamWorld has been removed from Steam Early Access and its servers shut down, less than two months after launching into early access. The developers cited the need to retire online services as the reason for the removal. One of the developers claimed to have no administrative access or control over the decision to take the game offline.
Choose My Adventure: Steamrolling low-level bosses and storming roulettes in Final Fantasy XIV
The author discusses regaining confidence in Final Fantasy XIV by completing challenging "Extreme" boss fights unsynced, which helped overcome a feeling of apathy and self-doubt. This personal progress has also led to a decision to try Destiny 2, with readers being polled on whether to start anew or continue with an existing character.
Throne and Liberty outlines progression system tweaks and prepares an event for its next archboss
Amazon Games is implementing several tweaks to the MMORPG Throne and Liberty following the Frozen Divide: Nix expansion. Updates on July 16th will address limited material supplies and offer more ways to acquire seal keys, while a July 9th patch will reduce the difficulty of elite tier dungeons. Additionally, a special event starting July 1st will offer login rewards for 49 days in preparation for the arrival of the archboss Ramux on July 30th.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 571: Mid-year mailbag marathon
The Massively OP Podcast episode 571 features hosts Justin and Bree discussing various player-submitted topics. These include the viability of browser-based MMOs, potential improvements to achievement systems, the integration of AI into MMORPGs, and the definition of what constitutes an MMORPG.
THE BLOOD MOON RISES AS OLD SCHOOL RUNESCAPE BRINGS A 20-YEAR QUESTLINE TO A CLOSE
Jagex has launched 'The Blood Moon Rises,' the Grandmaster conclusion to Old School RuneScape's 20-year Myreque questline. This challenging late-game quest tasks players with entering Vampyrium to overthrow its vampyric ruler, Lord Lowerniel Draken, and introduces new creatures, skilling activities, and a solo boss encounter. The game is available on PC, Steam, iOS, and Android with cross-platform progression.
MapleStory N Unveils Hyper Summer Roadmap: Three New Classes, Four New Lands, Level Cap Increased to 275
MapleStory N has launched its Hyper Summer event, a significant content update featuring three new classes: Adele, Ark, and Hoyoung, alongside four new lands and an increased level cap of 275. The event unfolds across three updates through late July, introducing new bosses, equipment, and quality-of-life improvements to the Web3 MMORPG.
Bad news, Blizzard won't be running a fresh Season of Discovery server in WoW Classic
Blizzard Entertainment has confirmed there are no plans to launch a new official "fresh start" server for the Season of Discovery in World of Warcraft Classic. Senior Game Designer Josh Greenfield stated that opening and managing new servers requires significant resources and is not feasible given other ongoing development priorities. This news comes despite a recent community-driven "Fake Fresh" event that saw a surge in player numbers for the existing Season of Discovery servers.
Guild Wars 3 may have cracked the MMO code for tired millennials
ArenaNet studio head Collin Johanson stated that Guild Wars 3 aims to respect players' time, allowing them to play as much or as little as they desire. This approach contrasts with many modern MMORPGs and live-service games that can feel like a second job due to mechanics like battle passes and repetitive tasks. The article suggests that if Guild Wars 3 can remain captivating without demanding excessive playtime, it could appeal to a growing audience of adult gamers.
WEMADE’s Legend of YMIR Global Opens Its First Seasonal Growth Server, “Bootcamp,” on June 30
WEMADE has launched the first seasonal growth server, "Bootcamp," for its global MMORPG, Legend of YMIR, on June 30. This server offers a fresh start with accelerated progression and support for new, returning, and existing players to compete on equal footing. The "Bootcamp" season will last approximately 10 weeks, with characters meeting the level requirement transferable to main servers. Additionally, a "Summer Big Sale" is ongoing across all platforms, featuring discounts and new companion packages.
Albion Online Is Dropping a New Event Called Keeper Uprising Next Month
Sandbox Interactive is launching a new seasonal in-game event for Albion Online called Keeper Uprising on July 4th. The event introduces new missions, enemies, cosmetic rewards, and a hidden story content that unfolds over two months. Players can participate in activities to push back against the Keeper rebellion, now known as the Ashborn, and earn exclusive rewards including new armor and helmet sets. Keeper Uprising will run until August 31st.
Someone is playing World of Warcraft Classic on their mobile. Yes, they're a heathen.
A Reddit user has successfully streamed World of Warcraft Classic to a mobile device using Nvidia's GeForce Now cloud gaming service. While the setup is described as 'cursed' and features a non-customizable interface with some latency, the user found it surprisingly enjoyable. This development raises questions about the future of MMORPGs on mobile platforms, especially with other titles like Final Fantasy XIV Mobile in development.
Knightborn – Beta Sign Up | Alpha Beta Gamer
Knightborn is a multiplayer RPG that offers bite-sized adventures with a classic MMORPG atmosphere, featuring four distinct classes. Players can explore maps solo or cooperatively without grinding or subscription fees, with gameplay optimized for smooth performance. A playable demo includes a 16-player PvP map called Colony Zone, and players can sign up for the beta test.
Betawatch: Enshrouded and Aion 2 are making big fall launch plans
Enshrouded has announced an October 15th launch date for PC and PlayStation 5, with Xbox Series X|S to follow in 2027. Aion 2 confirmed its monetization plans for a September global launch. The article also provides updates on Camelot Unchained, Corepunk, and numerous other games in various testing phases.
Past Fate opens the Depths of Korag and changes its combat model in latest patch
The early access MMORPG Past Fate has released a new patch that opens the Depths of Korag, a large underground area featuring ancient ruins, mines, and new threats. The update also revises the combat system to a more action-oriented tab-targeting approach, increasing difficulty and requiring players to utilize dodging and blocking more effectively. Additional changes include new fishing content, HUD adjustments, and increased character stamina.
Star Wars: The Old Republic rolls the dice on another Nar Shaddaa Nightlife event
The Nar Shaddaa Nightlife event returns to Star Wars: The Old Republic from June 30th to August 11th, allowing players to test their luck at casinos on Nar Shaddaa and Mek-Sha. This iteration includes new daily missions and two additional housing decorations: a hazard toss table and a card shark table.
Roadmaps and Plans
This article provides updates on various games, including Terraria's State of the Game for June 2026, Star Trek Online's Undiscovered expansion, and Din's Champion entering its 21st month of early access. Wuthering Waves is also mentioned.
Shard Legends: Clan Wars Debuts on Solana Mobile dApp Store
Shard Legends: Clan Wars has launched on the Solana Mobile dApp Store, making the dark fantasy MMORPG accessible on mobile devices. Developed by OnGame Studio, the game features PvP and PvE battles, clan management, and a player-driven economy where items can be traded for in-game currency or USDT. Seeker Holders receive exclusive rewards like Welcome Chests.
Star Trek Online reveals next big content update, Undiscovered, starring Lisa Locicero and Robert Picardo
Star Trek Online's next major content update, Undiscovered, will feature Robert Picardo as The Doctor and Lisa Locicero as Lieutenant Miral Paris. The update, launching July 7th, includes a new event, an overhaul of Deep Space Encounters, and new ships, with console players receiving the Damocles Class and a double experience event for both PC and console players.
"Once Darth Vader came for you, you were just going to die": We could have had an MMO about Jedi refugees hiding from the Empire, if Star Wars Galaxies had gone differently
Former Star Wars Galaxies director Raph Koster discusses the challenges of implementing Jedi characters in the MMORPG, including a proposed permadeath system where players would hide from the Empire and face Darth Vader. The game ultimately opted for a complex skill-based unlock system that proved difficult to implement and led to player dissatisfaction by forcing them to abandon preferred playstyles.
