MMOs
Ongoing coverage on MMOs.
Latest coverage
Massively Overthinking: Should gamers shut up about MMOs they don’t play?
Former Blizzard developer Jeff Kaplan stated that gamers should refrain from commenting on games they have not played, a sentiment echoed by some and debated by others. While some agree that uninformed criticism is detrimental, others argue that feedback from non-players can still be valuable for game development and community discourse.
PLAYTEST OPEN: MELEE COMBAT MMO ‘SWORDEYE’ INVITES PLAYERS TO ITS NEW 3D OPEN-WORLD
Solo developer ALX Theory is inviting players to a new playtest for their directional swordfighting MMO, Swordeye, which is available on Steam. This latest test features a new Overworld map with open-world combat events, proximity voice chat, extraction opportunities, and portals to new dungeons. The playtest aims to introduce MMO elements to the extraction title with scaling loot rewards and up to 30 players per server.
Neverness to Everness opens preregistration and bundle preorders ahead of April 29 launch
Hotta Studio's new multiplayer gacha title, Neverness to Everness, has opened preregistration and bundle preorders ahead of its April 29th multiplatform launch. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, iOS, and Android. A new trailer for the "super spy" character Jiuyuan was also released.
Final Fantasy 14's Japanese age rating gets a bump, and it's all because of screenshots
Final Fantasy 14's age rating in Japan has been increased from CERO C to CERO D by Square Enix. This change is speculated to be related to player-created in-game images, including those using mods, which may be considered sexually provocative by the CERO rating board.
Casually Classic: Should WoW Classic be completely free?
This opinion piece explores the possibility of making World of Warcraft Classic free-to-play, arguing it could boost player population and publicity without harming the retail version's subscription model. The author suggests designating specific Classic Era servers as free, allowing players to experience the original 2004 version up to level 60.
World of Warcraft: Midnight review
World of Warcraft: Midnight, an expansion to the 20-year-old MMO, offers ambitious new content including a redesigned Silvermoon and engaging dungeons, despite wrestling with bugs and design issues. While the main story falls short of greatness due to pacing and subtlety problems, the expansion's beautiful new zones, solid delves, and promising features like player housing and the Prey system make it a strong, albeit imperfect, addition to the game.
MapleStory Classic World Closed Online Test Set for April Following Los Angeles PC Cafe Event
Nexon is preparing for the closed online test of MapleStory Classic World in April, following a hands-on preview event held at a Los Angeles PC cafe. The event generated enthusiasm among players, highlighting the game's appeal to both current and returning fans of the classic MMO experience. Registration for the closed test, running from April 16 to April 23, is currently open.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Stardust Exile, Mortumus, Iverian Wars, and Triad Wars Revived
This article rounds up several lesser-known MMO and MMO-adjacent multiplayer games, focusing on titles with war themes. Updates include a web client for the sci-fi MMORTS Stardust Exile and new gameplay footage for the full-loot PvP MMORPG Mortumus. Additionally, the free-to-play Iverian Wars: Craxion vs. Defugel has launched, and a fan is reviving the Sleeping Dogs spin-off Triad Wars.
NosTale preps its annual level-boosting NosFire event for next month
Gameforge announced that the annual NosTale NosFire event will return from April 1st through June, offering enhanced progression for newcomers starting at level 80. The event includes special raids, new quests, and festive rewards, designed to accelerate player leveling and endgame content.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Season 6 Is Live – Detective Missions, New Cars And A Reworked Hong Kong Await
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has launched its Season 6 update across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This update introduces new gameplay features like Detective missions, fresh vehicles including the Pagani Huayra Roadster, and a reworked Hong Kong Island with improved detail and road layouts. Additionally, Ibiza receives clothing stores for avatar customization, and a collaboration with Michelin is included.
Perfect Ten: MMOs whose sequels struggled to land
This article analyzes ten massively multiplayer online games whose sequels failed to achieve the same success as their predecessors. It explores reasons for these failures, including development issues, player migration, and market competition, highlighting titles like MapleStory 2, Overwatch 2, and EverQuest II.
One Hour Mining Grind in Shroud of the Avatar – Can It Pay the Taxes?
This article details an hour-long gameplay session in the MMO Shroud of the Avatar, focusing on resource farming through mining to pay in-game property taxes. The author collected various ores and gems, successfully extending their lot ownership by 50 days. The piece highlights the quiet, low-population nature of the game and the satisfaction derived from consistent progress.
Minimo: First trailer revealed for MMO game changer
Indie studio Low Drag Labs has revealed the first trailer for Minimo, a new multiplayer game designed to combine the scale of an MMO with the structure of a roguelike. The game supports up to 200 players in 30-minute sessions, featuring procedurally generated environments and unlockable classes. Minimo aims to capture the magic of classic MMOs in a more accessible, session-based format.
The classic browser strategy MMO, WildGuns, is out now for PC
Gameforge has announced that the classic browser-based strategy MMO, WildGuns, is now live globally for PC. This marks the official return of the Wild West-themed game.
Doom co-creator John Romero worked on a Pokemon-like MMO that taught you maths, but "felt like you were playing…
Doom co-creator John Romero discussed Project Redwood, an unreleased MMO that combined elements of World of Warcraft and Pokemon with an educational focus on math. The game aimed to provide a less intimidating experience for younger players than traditional MMOs, with creatures trained and used to fend off robots. Developed in the late 2000s by Slipgate Ironworks and Gazillion Entertainment, the project ultimately fell into development purgatory.
Minimo attempts to wedge a whirlwind MMO experience into 30-minute sessions
Low Drag Labs is developing Minimo, an MMO designed for short, 30-minute sessions where up to 200 players compete to gain experience and explore rapidly. This approach aims to deliver a whirlwind MMO experience within a condensed timeframe.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 559: Not all Marvel Heroes wear capes
The Massively OP Podcast episode 559 covers the relaunch of Marvel Heroes, layoffs at Lost Ark, and the settlement of the EverQuest emulator lawsuit. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss various MMO-related topics in a "Daily Grind Blitz" segment, including player habits and game design ideas.
Crimson Desert sells another 1m, as Pearl Abyss pledges more fixes to address launch day struggles
Pearl Abyss announced that Crimson Desert has sold over 3 million copies worldwide since its launch, with another million sold since Friday. The studio's PR and marketing director, Will Powers, thanked the community and pledged ongoing fixes for launch issues, including performance problems and control issues, with a recent patch addressing bugs and adding quality-of-life improvements.
EverQuest Legends is the 1999 MMO you know and love born again with more respect for your time
Daybreak Game Company announced EverQuest Legends, a new version of the 1999 MMO designed for players with less time. It will feature the original continent of Antonica, all playable races, and a tweaked class system allowing for solo play with up to three active classes. The game aims to retain the classic feel while offering modern quality-of-life improvements and a closed beta sign-up is available.
EverQuest Legends is classic EverQuest, but for people who don't have time for MMOs anymore
Daybreak Game Company announced EverQuest Legends, a new take on the classic 1999 MMO designed for players with less time. It will launch in July with vanilla EverQuest's challenges and graphics, but with an expanded class system allowing characters to multiclass into three distinct roles. The game aims to offer meaningful progress in shorter play sessions, incorporating elements from later expansions like the beastmaster class and new item systems.
