MMORPG
Ongoing coverage on MMORPG.
Latest coverage
The Daily Grind: Do you play a ‘spiritual successor’ to an older MMO character?
This article discusses the concept of playing 'spiritual successor' characters in MMORPGs, where players recreate similar character concepts across different games or even within the same game. The author shares their personal experience with a World of Warcraft character and asks readers if they engage in this practice.
WoW: Midnight's Mythic+ Dungeons Are Too Easy, So Blizzard Is Adding Even More Rewards
Blizzard Entertainment is adding new rewards and achievements to World of Warcraft's Mythic+ dungeons in patch 12.0.5 due to the current season being easier than previous ones. These additions include new mounts for players who reach specific rating thresholds, with the goal of providing ongoing rewards for dedicated players. The update also introduces new solo content like Void Assaults and a prop hunt mode.
Solo MMO sim Erenshor celebrates first birthday by teasing simulated MMO raids
Erenshor, a solo MMORPG simulation game, is celebrating its first anniversary since launching into early access. Founder Brian Burgee shared a heartfelt message about the game's development journey and teased upcoming simulated MMO raids in the next update. Testers will receive an early build soon, with a wider release planned after bug fixes.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 562: Turtles, mechs, and multiclassing
The MassivelyOP Podcast episode 562 covers updates on Albion Online's world refresh and the potential end of Turtle WoW due to a court settlement. The hosts also discuss EverQuest Legends' upcoming closed beta, AdventureQuest Worlds' successful crowdfunding campaign, and methods for making MMOs feel more alive.
Project Gorgon fixed a nasty exploit that let some players get ‘more than a year ahead of the intended power curve’
Indie MMORPG Project Gorgon has released an update addressing a game-breaking exploit related to the Prodigal Epiphany buff stacking. Developer Elder Game stated that players who significantly abused this exploit will lose associated Prodigy levels. The patch also includes various other balance adjustments, bug fixes, and quality-of-life improvements.
You can test Elder Scrolls Online’s new overland challenge difficulty system now on the Update 50 PTS
ZeniMax Online Studios has made Update 50 for The Elder Scrolls Online available on the Public Test Server, allowing players to test the new "challenge difficulty" system for overland content. Other features available for testing include the PvP Veterancy system, updated Werewolf models, and new story content, with more features to be added throughout the PTS cycle.
WoW Classic kills dungeon-boosting in Burning Crusade expansion because, oh no, the economy
Blizzard Entertainment has implemented changes in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Classic to prevent dungeon boosting. Players must now participate in combat to receive experience from dungeons, and loot drops from non-boss enemies are determined by the number of players involved in the kill. These changes aim to curb exploits and reduce strain on the game's infrastructure.
Temtem Pioneers confirms it will add new critters, starting off with a flower cow
Crema Games has announced that its upcoming survival sandbox game, Temtem Pioneers, will feature new creatures, including a flower cow-like Temtem named Bellora. This comes after the studio previously stated new creatures would not be added to the original Temtem MMORPG due to player numbers. Temtem Pioneers has surpassed $230K in Kickstarter funding, with a crystal biome unlocked and fossil Tems as the next stretch goal.
First Player Hits Level 250 in MapleStory Universe
Benjapol has become the first player to reach level 250 in MapleStory Universe, a significant milestone for the MMORPG. Nexpace's COO, Keith Kim, highlighted the achievement's importance and revealed the company's plans to develop better systems for recognizing and rewarding diverse player contributions within the game.
WoW's Burning Crusade Classic servers are removing the time-honoured tradition of dungeon boosting
Blizzard Entertainment is removing the long-standing practice of dungeon boosting in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Classic servers. The changes aim to address detrimental economic effects and ensure meaningful player participation by requiring players to contribute to kills to earn experience and loot.
The Daily Grind: Are you a fan of subclassing and multiclassing in MMORPGs?
This article discusses the divided player opinions on subclassing and multiclassing in MMORPGs. While some players advocate for these features, even in emulated environments, others in games like The Elder Scrolls Online believe they are detrimental to the game's design.
The Radiant Wilds Update Arrives in Albion Online with a Major Visual Overhaul and New Features
Albion Online has launched its Radiant Wilds update, featuring a significant visual overhaul with improved lighting, textures, and environmental effects across all biomes. The update also enhances performance, especially in large-scale combat, and introduces new features like The Armory build suggestion system and a 1v1 Arena mode. Controller support has also been greatly improved for a smoother experience on all platforms.
Wisdom of Nym: What’s at stake for Final Fantasy XIV’s Beastmaster
This article discusses the potential impact and design challenges for the upcoming Beastmaster job in Final Fantasy XIV, particularly in relation to the existing Limited Job, Blue Mage. The author argues that for Beastmaster to be successful, it must offer a substantially different gameplay experience than Blue Mage, which has increasingly focused on group content. If Beastmaster fails to innovate, it could signify a dead end for the concept of Limited Jobs in the game.
Morning Patches
Albion Online's expansion, Radiant Wilds, is set to launch on April 13, heralding a new era for the MMORPG. Chess Kingdom also received an update.
Final Fantasy 14 patch 7.5 will lock limited jobs out of even more content, fans of the MMO unhappy Square Enix is…
Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.5 will introduce new restrictions for limited jobs, including Beastmaster and Blue Mage, preventing them from accepting most quests. This change has caused dissatisfaction among players who feel the limited job system is restrictive and wish for them to be made into full jobs. The update is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28.
Pantheon Rise of the Fallen takes fans on another tour of the upcoming Badia de Cara zone
Visionary Realms has provided a second preview of the Badia de Cara zone for Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, showcasing the Port of Rulun hub and new threats like the mawnok, Kosa panther, and Badia shark. The tropical zone is still slated for a spring update release.
RuneScape releases overhauled auras, Old School RuneScape opens new SA servers and preps Leagues VI
RuneScape has received an overhaul of its auras, removing time-gating and reducing meta necessity for effects like Five-Fingered Discount and Lumberjack. Old School RuneScape is preparing for Leagues VI: Demonic Pacts on April 15th, with new servers now open in South America. Additional updates include changes to PvP death mechanics in the Wilderness and Last Man Standing rewards.
Albion Online’s massive world refresh has arrived today with the launch of Radiant Wilds
Albion Online has launched its major world refresh update, Radiant Wilds, featuring a complete visual overhaul with improved lighting, textures, and environmental effects. The update also brings performance renovations for smoother large-scale combat and introduces new content like a 1v1 arena and the Armory feature. Albion Online will also be available on Xbox Series X next week, maintaining full cross-platform play with mobile and PC.
Ashes of Creation’s Steven Sharif says leaked ledger is an ‘effort to litigate this dispute in the public domain’
Steven Sharif of Intrepid Studios addressed a leaked ledger concerning Ashes of Creation, calling it an attempt to litigate a dispute publicly. He denied misappropriation of Kickstarter funds and personal misuse of company money, stating the project is funded through multiple sources including personal capital. Sharif claims the leaked information is false, defamatory, and selectively presented to create a false narrative, with active litigation already underway.
The Daily Grind: What are some good examples of overengineering in MMORPGs?
This article discusses the concept of overengineering in video games, specifically within the MMORPG genre. Examples like The Lord of the Rings Online's task system and Guild Wars 2's character panel are cited as instances where game design is unnecessarily complex. The piece invites readers to share their own examples of overengineered features in MMORPGs.