MMORPG
Ongoing coverage on MMORPG.
Latest coverage
Second Wind: Equinox Homecoming is a charming concept but an awkward fit for multiplayer
Equinox Homecoming, a cozy horse girl mystery MMO from Blue Scarab Entertainment, is set to launch out of early access on March 5th. While the concept of blending cozy elements with a dark mystery is charming, the game suffers from awkward animations, minor bugs, and an unclear purpose for its multiplayer live service model, making it feel unpolished and potentially lacking a conclusive story.
Lord of the Rings Online’s Update 47: Folly of Kings arrives with the expansion raid and new reward track
Lord of the Rings Online's Update 47, titled Folly of Kings, has been released, introducing the capstone raid for the Kingdoms of Harad expansion and a new legendary items reward track. The update also includes significant class adjustments, such as damage nerfs for Hunters and buffs for Wardens, along with a full Guardian trait tree reset. The new raid, Folly of Nagakhêdi, investigates a blight threatening Elven glades.
Elder Scrolls Online’s U49 is packed with quality-of-life stuff players (and devs) have wanted a long time
The Elder Scrolls Online's Update 49, launching simultaneously on PC and consoles, introduces numerous quality-of-life improvements requested by players and developers. These updates focus on reducing friction, improving systems, and enhancing player experience with features like higher inventory limits, streamlined mount training, and easier respecs. Additionally, the Gold Road Collection is being offered as a PlayStation Plus monthly game in March.
Final Fantasy 11 locks down yet another server as overpopulation continues to hit Final Fantasy 14's predecessor, over two decades after its original launch
Final Fantasy XI is experiencing significant server congestion, leading Square Enix to close off its Odin server to new players starting March 10, 2026. This marks the third server closure in less than a year due to overpopulation, a rare issue for an MMORPG over two decades old. The surge in popularity is occurring despite the release of Final Fantasy XIV's Dawntrail expansion.
World of Warcraft: Midnight Brings Azeroth to Xbox – A Historic Console Debut
World of Warcraft: Midnight marks a historic console debut for the long-running MMORPG, launching on Xbox after two decades of PC exclusivity. Microsoft and Blizzard Entertainment have adapted the game for controller play, aiming to attract both hardcore players and newcomers to Azeroth. This transition reflects broader industry trends towards cross-platform accessibility and ecosystem integration.
World of Warcraft: Midnight Expansion Goes Live for All Players
The MMORPG expansion World of Warcraft: Midnight has officially launched for all players, concluding its early access period. This launch marks a significant moment for the long-running game, positioning it for its next phase amidst a competitive gaming landscape. Blizzard Entertainment's decision to move from early access to full availability aims to balance rewarding dedicated players with broad accessibility.
Final Fantasy XIV sets its next live letter – and the 7.5 reveal – for March 13
Square Enix will reveal details for Final Fantasy XIV's upcoming patch 7.5 during a live letter event on March 13th at 7:00 a.m. EDT. The broadcast will offer the first previews of new content, including MSQ objectives, a trial, and a dungeon, as is typical for the final patches of an expansion cycle.
The Daily Grind: What would your MMORPG have to do to double its playerbase?
This article discusses what an MMORPG would need to do to double its player base, using Overwatch 2's recent comeback as a point of comparison. It highlights the impact of new heroes, story content, and even cute cosmetic additions like a cat with a jetpack on player numbers.
Hypixel and CurseForge announce Hytale modding contest with a $100K prize pool
Hypixel Studios and CurseForge are launching the Hytale New Worlds Modding Contest, offering a $100,000 prize pool to encourage creativity in the game's modding scene. The contest features multiple categories, including world generation, NPCs, and experiences, with cash prizes distributed among 65 creators.
World of Warcraft Midnight’s global launch was relatively smooth
The global launch of World of Warcraft: Midnight proceeded relatively smoothly, with Blizzard Entertainment deploying hotfixes for various in-game issues. Players can currently engage in preseason content, including unlocking the Haranir allied race, leveling to 90, and participating in Mythic 0 dungeons.
Choose My Adventure: Project Gorgon teaches me what sandbox vets have been saying forever
The author expresses a newfound appreciation for sandbox MMORPGs, specifically highlighting Project Gorgon as an example of the genre at its best. Despite initial skepticism towards sandboxes, the author found Project Gorgon to be a well-crafted experience that encourages curiosity and camaraderie, contrasting it with the perceived underbaked nature of other games in the genre.
RuneScape releases its big combat overhaul and maps out update plans for the month of March
RuneScape has released a major combat modernization update for its magic, melee, and ranged skills, aiming for a more intuitive player experience. Jagex has also outlined its update roadmap for March, including changes to dailies and the introduction of the Havenhythe region.
EVE Online is collecting player blood for a historical Icelandic saga about the game
CCP Games is collecting blood samples from EVE Online players at Fanfest 2026 to create a historical saga called the Capsuleer Edda. This project aims to preserve the game's living history by mixing player blood with a 17th-century ink formula and inscribing it into a vellum tome, designed to last for millennia.
Dune Awakening acknowledges density and performance concerns about incoming server merges
Funcom has acknowledged player concerns regarding upcoming server merges for Dune Awakening, specifically addressing issues with server performance and player preference for lower population servers. The studio aims to improve performance before proceeding with merges, emphasizing that the goal is to ensure enough servers for organic player migration rather than forcing consolidation.
Ship of Heroes still has almost no players, but it’s had two updates in 2026 so far
Despite having very few players, the indie MMORPG Ship of Heroes has received two updates in early 2026, adding features like badges, crafting improvements, and balance tweaks. The game continues to struggle with player count on Steam, with less than 10 concurrent players since October, and its unofficial Discord server has been deleted.
MMORPG publisher Valofe’s entire P2E blockchain platform has shut down
MMORPG publisher Valofe has shut down its entire play-to-earn blockchain platform, VFUN Ground, at the end of January. The company, known for its involvement with games like Bless Unleashed and SoulWorker, did not provide a specific reason for the closure, though declining interest in crypto gaming and loss of token value are likely factors. Any remaining crypto tokens held by users are now considered worthless.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 556: Midnight run for horse fripperies
The Massively OP Podcast episode 556 covers recent MMORPG news including World of Warcraft's Midnight update, Dungeons & Dragons Online's 20th anniversary freebies, and the launches of Equinox Homecoming and Gloria Victis. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss Guild Wars: Reforged, BitCraft's performance, and how to support underdog MMOs.
Ragnarok Pro Circuit 2026 Initiates Competitive Season for Ragnarok Landverse America
Maxion Tech, under license from Gravity Co., has launched the Ragnarok Pro Circuit 2026 for Ragnarok Online Landverse America. This inaugural season features Minor and Major tournaments leading to a global championship, integrating blockchain technology, NFTs, and the ION token for an enhanced guild-versus-guild MMORPG experience.
After removing its worst feature, Runescape just upended its entire combat system after only three months of player testing
Runescape has implemented significant changes to its combat system, following a recent removal of microtransactions. These sweeping updates, which have undergone three months of player testing, represent a major refresh for the MMORPG in 2026.
Skull and Bones | A Hearty Pirate RPG
Skull and Bones is a pirate-themed MMORPG from Ubisoft that allows players to create a captain and build a pirate empire in the Indian Ocean. The game features extensive ship customization, naval combat, trade routes, and supernatural elements. Players can engage in quests given by various NPCs, upgrade their ships, and craft new weapons and armor. The Smuggler Pass offers cosmetic rewards, and while PvP is optional, it is present in certain world events. The reviewer highly recommends the game for fans of pirate lore and naval combat.
