MMOs
Ongoing coverage on MMOs.
Latest coverage
Betawatch: Aion 2 plans October global debut, Guild Wars 3 reveals gremlins
Several games are nearing their global launches or entering new testing phases. Aion 2 is set for a worldwide debut on October 5th, while Path of Exile 2 will officially launch out of early access in December. Guild Wars 3 has revealed more about its gremlin-like Asura characters, and Squadron 42 has been delayed again, now targeting 2027.
MMO Jukebox Song of the Week: ‘No Harm to You Here’ from Book of Travels
The article highlights 'No Harm to You Here,' a mellow track from the Book of Travels soundtrack, as the MMO Jukebox Song of the Week. As Book of Travels transitioned from an MMO to a single-player title, the studio released its entire soundtrack on YouTube, prompting this musical sendoff.
Dune: Awakening's new single-player mode fits perfectly in the MMO because of its strong story, lead says: "I think we have the best story in a survival game that exists"
Funcom's Chief Creative Officer Joel Bylos stated that Dune: Awakening's new single-player mode integrates well into the MMO structure due to its strong narrative foundation, which is an alternate timeline to Frank Herbert's original book series. He believes the game has the best story in any survival game and that the team has balanced the progression for solo players, making it a smoother experience.
Vague Patch Notes: Resenting structure and blaming guidance in MMOs
This article analyzes the evolution of game structure and guidance in MMOs, contrasting early titles like Final Fantasy XI with more modern experiences like Final Fantasy XIV. It discusses how the 'bump method' of exploration in older games has been replaced by more direct questing and guidance, and how this shift impacts player experience and perception of game openness.
Palia players grumble over a storage chest expansion silently added to the cash shop in latest patch
Players of the cozy mini-MMO Palia are expressing displeasure after developer Singularity 6 silently added a premium storage chest expansion to the cash shop in the latest patch. While the studio explains this is to help players with limited time and allows for more free cosmetic options, fans argue it contradicts promises of only selling cosmetics and points to a failure in game design for inventory management.
Soul Land New World Tier List [Best Martial Souls and Soul Masters]
This guide provides tier lists for Soul Land New World, ranking both Martial Souls (classes) and Soul Masters (companions). It aims to help players identify stronger character options and support characters based on their abilities and stats, while acknowledging the subjective nature of playstyle preference.
Palia’s Petals & Portraits patch provides player projects, pals, paths, plushes, and ponies
Palia has released a new patch introducing Civic Projects, starting with the rebuilding of Kilima Docks, which requires players to contribute items. Players who participate will unlock various rewards, including decor and titles, with some elite items reserved for dedicated players. The update also adds a new lunar path, friendship levels for Taylin, new house architecture, a title system, Valkyrie-themed horses, and other cosmetic and gameplay enhancements.
Closers’ relaunch under Papaya Play has officially begun with various celebration events
The side-scrolling anime MMO Closers has officially relaunched under Papaya Play after shutting down last June. The relaunch includes a new character named Mois, updated progression, and various in-game celebration events such as daily login rewards, XP buffs, and pre-registration bonuses. Papaya Play is also promoting cash shop offerings as part of the relaunch.
Kintara Arrives on Solana dApp Store, Opening the MMO to Seeker Handset Owners
Kintara, an MMO inspired by RuneScape, has launched on the Solana dApp Store, making it accessible to owners of Seeker mobile devices. The game requires a Solana wallet with at least 1 KINS token for access and premium features. Kintara has seen rapid user growth since its release in May 2026, with features like a marketplace for trading gold and KINS.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 577: Stars Reach’s next generation trek
The Massively OP Podcast episode 577 covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, the upcoming MapleStory Classic World, a preview of Stormforge, playable Kodan in Guild Wars 3, and Palia's fall roadmap. The hosts also touch on Daybreak Game Company's financials and other meta site topics.
Nodusfall looks more like Monster Hunter and Elden Ring than the usual games from creator and Genshin Impact studio…
HoYoverse revealed Nodusfall, a new co-op action game showcased at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026. The game features teams of four players battling divine beasts and appears to draw inspiration from titles like Monster Hunter and Elden Ring, with a more realistic art style than the studio's previous games such as Genshin Impact.
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026: Liveblogging the MMO and multiplayer announcements
Geoff Keighley's Gamescom Opening Night Live event is underway, focusing on MMO and multiplayer game announcements. While the preshow has already begun, the main event is expected to reveal new titles and updates in the multiplayer and MMO space.
Hytale modders reveal WoWTale, aiming to recreate WoW ahead of World Gen 2.0
Modders are recreating elements of World of Warcraft within the game Hytale, with a project called WoWtale aiming to build a rendition of the classic MMO. The team is currently awaiting the 'World Gen 2.0' update for Hytale and is working on individual components like the Deadmines dungeon while seeking contributors.
Lord of the Rings Online sits down for a housing Q&A meeting with the community
Standing Stone Games held a Q&A session regarding the player housing system in Lord of the Rings Online. Discussions covered the new neighbor system coming with the Wolves of Mordor expansion, potential housing hook consolidations, and the consideration of adding apartments to the game.
Cambria’s V0.4 Dungeons Hardcore Update Makes Staying Alive the Payday
Tempest Labs has released the V0.4 Dungeons Hardcore update for their browser-based MMO Cambria, shifting the focus of its extraction dungeons to survival for rewards. The update introduces necromancy as a new mechanic and expands Side Rooms for greater procedural generation. This change aims to increase player engagement by tying rewards directly to successful completion of runs, with players having risked $5 million in keys by early August 2026.
'The Guild' movie revival becomes highest-funded Kickstarter film ever, filling me with millennial nostalgia…
The Guild: Ren Faire'd, a revival of the web series about MMO players, has become the highest-funded film on Kickstarter, raising over $6.8 million. Creator Felicia Day expressed gratitude for the community's support in making the movie a reality. The project aims for a 2027 release, continuing the story of the Knights of Good.
Camelot Unchained fleshes out early access with item drops, gathering improvements, and world beautification
Camelot Unchained's Update 0.47 introduces several improvements to its early access experience, including the first-ever item drops from enemy mobs, a more balanced gathering curve, and an XP boost for player-versus-player combat. The update also focuses on beautifying in-game zones like Yggdra Forest and Silvermine Mountains to make them feel more lived-in and diverse.
MapleStory Classic World opens its doors to founders October 6 and to everyone else October 21
Nexon has announced that MapleStory Classic World will officially launch on October 21st, with founder's packs granting early access on October 6th. The game will feature updates based on beta feedback, including bug fixes and Mac controller support, but will not include content like the Orbis region or third job advancement initially. Nexon also stated that XP boost items will not be sold in the cash shop.
The MOP Up: Profane puts out a new rolling roadmap
Several MMOs have shared updates and roadmaps, including Profane's new development plan focusing on two-month highlights, and Odin: Valhalla Rising's roadmap for the latter half of 2026. Subnautica 2 launched a new beta branch for testing, Palia's Insect-a-Palooza event returned, and EVE Online banned over 10,000 accounts for dark web links. Additionally, Grand Theft Auto VI leak participants were cautioned against, BitCraft is closing its Uncharted Regions, and AdventureQuest 3D released new moon-themed mounts.
Cozy MMO Spirit Crossing locks in a $29.99 B2P price with an optional subscription for nice-to-have stuff
Cozy MMO Spirit Crossing will launch with a $29.99 buy-to-play price, supplemented by an optional membership for non-essential features. Developer Spry Fox aims for a sustainable revenue model after significant investment in development and hosting costs. The studio also released patch 15.3 with numerous gameplay and quality-of-life updates.
