Industry Giants Face Scrutiny Amidst Indie MMO Boom
Major companies like Sony and EA navigate lawsuits and business shifts, including Sony's move away from physical discs. Meanwhile, a diverse array of smaller MMOs, from roguelites to survival sandboxes, are emerging and updating. The industry also grapples with AI's impact on hardware and ongoing discussions about developer welfare and platform safety.
Coverage across 1 outlet
MMO Business Roundup: Marathon’s lawsuit, the Sony petition, TGS 2026, and Minecraft’s fate
This MMO business roundup covers several key events, including the settlement of a lawsuit filed by former Marathon game director Christopher Barrett against Sony and Bungie. It also highlights an online petition by PNP Games urging Sony to continue supporting physical media, which has garnered a significant number of signatures. Additionally, Nexon announced its presence at Tokyo Game Show, and an article from Gamespot questions Microsoft's strategy for Minecraft's future, suggesting a focus on competing with Roblox could be detrimental.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Fumes, Battle for Embolia, and Enarian Online
This article rounds up three lesser-known MMOs: Fumes, an early access car combat game adding co-op; Battle for Embolia, an indie MMORPG with fast-paced combat and unique classes; and Enarian Online, a text-based action RPG blending classic MUD elements with modern ARPG progression. Fumes and Battle for Embolia are set to launch new features or early access in July.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Spawn World, Biomes, and Empire Rising
This article rounds up several lesser-known multiplayer online games, focusing exclusively on MMORPGs. It provides updates on Empire Rising, which is in open alpha until Q2 2027, introduces Biomes, an open-source sandbox MMORPG with cozy elements, and details Spawn World, a PvPvE simulated sandbox MMORPG currently in its second closed alpha phase.
MMO Business Roundup: EA’s latest layoffs, Overwatch’s pricy cosmetics, and GAAS nuance
This business roundup covers recent events in the MMO industry, including layoffs at Electronic Arts affecting recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT teams. Former Path of Exile developer Chris Wilson shared nuanced views on live service games, acknowledging drawbacks like problematic monetization and player demands. Additionally, Overwatch's high-priced Nyan Cafe cosmetic skins have drawn community backlash.
MMO Business Roundup: Pocketpair rejects AI tools, Valorant opens a pub, and Epic Games Store unveils updates
This MMO business roundup covers several industry updates, including Pocketpair's rejection of AI development tools, Riot Games opening a temporary Valorant-themed pub in London for an esports event, and Epic Games Store announcing "Launcher V2" with personalized store pages and other improvements planned over the next year.
MMO Business Roundup: Stop Killing Games’ setback, Sony’s PC games, and Amazon’s cloud service aspirations
Stop Killing Games faced a setback as the EU confirmed it will not change laws to cover game shutdowns but will work on an industry code of conduct. PlayStation CEO Hideaki Nishino stated that PC releases, especially for live-service games, remain a standard strategy for Sony. Amazon continues to operate and promote its Luna cloud gaming service, aiming to increase its visibility among Prime members.
MMO Business Roundup: Global games revenue, Sony’s store lawsuit, and Microsoft’s impending ‘bloodbath’
This industry roundup covers several key topics: Sony faces a lawsuit over its PlayStation Store "buy now" buttons, global games revenue reached $201.6 billion in 2025 with mobile dominating sales, and Microsoft is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs within its Xbox division.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Runeward Online, Polity, and Misa Online
This article highlights lesser-known multiplayer online games, including Runeward Online, a blend of RPG and bullet hell shooter from FatHatCat. Polity, a colony sim MMO, has received a significant update after a period of stalled development. Misa Online, an indie MMORPG from Misa Games, is selling pre-alpha access with promises of PvE and PvP content.
MMO Business Roundup: UK’s age restriction plans, EA’s in-game ads business, and Square Enix’s LA cafe
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including the UK's proposed online restrictions for minors, Electronic Arts launching an in-game advertising platform, and Square Enix opening a themed cafe in Los Angeles. It also notes the upcoming shutdown of online services for Grid Legends and Top Spin 2K25, and discusses how Sony's retreat from PC gaming might impact its sales in China.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Mistfall Hunter, Crewed, and Forsaken Lands
This article rounds up lesser-known multiplayer games, including Mistfall Hunter, a PvPvE extraction ARPG with a beta planned for Steam Next Fest on June 15th and a full release on July 29th. Crewed, a co-op spaceship chaos game for up to six players, has a demo available and aims for a Q3 release. Forsaken Lands, a co-op deckbuilding roguelike for up to three players, is currently in a playtest.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Cave Crave, Frostrail, and Nightholme
This article rounds up lesser-known multiplayer games, including Cave Crave, a VR spelunking simulator that recently added multiplayer for Meta Quest headsets and plans a PC version. Frostrail, a co-op survival game from Barotrauma developer FakeFish, is set for early access in Q4. Nightholme, a PvPvE extraction title where players transform into beasts, is planning a summer playtest.
MMOs You’ve Never Heard Of: Roads & Riches, The Story Page, and Texturetown
This article rounds up three lesser-known multiplayer online games: Roads & Riches, a traveling merchant simulator; The Story Page, an early access indie MMORPG focused on roleplaying; and Texturetown, an experimental MMO built from assets of defunct children's online games. The Story Page is developed by SPR-Games, and Texturetown is the work of solo developer Aidan Strong.
MMO Business Roundup: Gamers sue Microsoft, Skull and Bones on Steam Deck, and NetEase’s Q1
This MMO business roundup covers several industry updates, including Skull and Bones achieving Steam Deck verification. NetEase reported a strong first quarter for 2026 with a 6.9% rise in games revenue. Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed against Microsoft, accusing the company of colluding with Valve to maintain higher prices on the Steam store.
MMO Business Roundup: Steam Deck’s price hike, Microsoft’s ActiBlizz settlement, and Rockstar UK’s union
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Valve's Steam Deck OLED experiencing significant price hikes. Microsoft has settled a $250 million class-action lawsuit related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Additionally, developers at Rockstar Games have officially formed a union, the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), and plan legal action over alleged union-busting.
MMO Business Roundup: Subnautica 2 EULA 2, Discord encryption, and Embracer’s LOTR spinoff
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments. Unknown Worlds has adjusted Subnautica 2's terms of service following community backlash, Discord has implemented end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls, and Sony is facing a lawsuit over alleged tariff refund windfalls on PlayStation 5 sales. Additionally, Embracer Group has spun off Fellowship Entertainment to manage its Lord of the Rings intellectual properties.
MMO Business Roundup: XBOX’s rebrand, California games law, and Far Far West’s 1M sold
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including California's game ownership law advancing, Steam's community market upgrades, and an AI video contest proposed by Party Animals developers. It also notes the Xbox brand's rebranding to XBOX and the early access extraction FPS Far Far West selling over one million copies on Steam.
MMO Business Roundup: Forza Horizon 6 megabans, Epic’s AI tools, and Steam Machine rumors
This industry news roundup covers several topics including Microsoft and Playground Games issuing lengthy hardware bans for Forza Horizon 6 leakers, Epic Games assuring that its AI development tools are for efficiency and not human replacement, and a legal battle over ownership of the popular Roblox game Forsaken. Additionally, rumors about Valve's Steam Machine console suggest it will be sold in multiple hardware bundles, potentially including a Steam Controller or VR headset.
MMO Business Roundup: 2K’s layoffs, Indiana’s Roblox lawsuit, CCP’s rename, and the Tarkov effect
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including layoffs at 2K Games' 31st Union studio working on Project Ethos. Indiana is suing Roblox and Discord over child safety concerns, while Escape from Tarkov's popularity is cited as a driver for the extraction shooter genre. CCP Games rebranded to Fenris Creations to avoid conflict with China, and Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick stated Grand Theft Auto VI is being developed without crunch.
MMO Business Roundup: Xbox Copilot is dead, Steam Controller will restock, and Bank of America has opinions
Xbox is discontinuing its Copilot AI feature for consoles and winding down mobile development, with CEO Asha Sharma aiming to refocus the division. Valve has promised to restock the Steam Controller due to high demand. Additionally, a Bank of America analyst suggested that Grand Theft Auto VI should be priced at $80 to help the struggling games industry.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 564: Evercold or everwarmer?
The MassivelyOP Podcast episode 564 covers recent MMORPG news, including Final Fantasy XIV's 'Evercold' expansion announcement for 2027, Guild Wars Reforged receiving a mobile port, and Aion 2's westward release window. Other topics include new MMOs from Nexon, Palia's upcoming mount expansion, SWTOR's future updates, LOTRO's housing, Conan Exiles Enhanced edition, and the sale of EVE Online back to CCP Games.