The development of computer games is so rapid that to follow all the new products has become almost impossible. But finding lists of the best games in a particular genre is easy. Only there are some problems in the objectivity of such ratings. Nevertheless, it is necessary to talk about popular MMORPGs.
Description
But first, some information for those who are poorly versed in genres and computer games in general. MMORPG is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. This is how the abbreviation stands.
But this interpretation is not always enough to understand whether this or that game belongs to this genre. Before us is a project that combines several options for the game: role-playing and mass.
MMORPG games are different. Due to the not fully regulated classification, often these projects are not exactly those that were originally conceived as massive role-playing ones. Nevertheless, you can play them through the launcher or browser. It does not matter.
The main feature of MMORPGs is the virtual world and a large number of gamers who interact with each other.
Essence
So, in the best MMORPGs, the player controls a character who can be attributed to a virtual world filled with history. He has the ability to apply different abilities.
Of course, there are projects that are difficult to assign a specific typology. For example, small multiplayer role-playing games will not be called MMORPGs, as well as single-player projects. All because they do not have a constantly existing world.
Developers are working on the virtual "planet" of MMORPG. It continues to exist regardless of whether a new player appeared on it or another gamer left it.
Popularity
The best MMORPGs are played all over the world. Cool and high-quality projects do not leave anyone indifferent. Around some games huge fanbases gather in a few years. Such communities live the game and the virtual world. They come up with a name for their commune and create their own rules in it.
When in 2005 they calculated the amount that this genre of the gaming industry brought , it immediately became clear what kind of games the future holds. Already then the income amounted to 500 million dollars. When Star Wars: The Old Republic appeared on the horizon in 2011 , it was able to win the hearts of one million players in just three days.
And in 2013, the famous World of Warcraft project gathered around itself 7 million players from around the world.
Traits
In order to make a rating or at least a list of MMORPGs, you need to understand by what criteria the project will belong to this group of games. There are some features that will help you deal with this matter.
If you look at old projects, then even they are already different from new ones. But still, the general parameters remain the same: the presence of a permanent virtual world, the ability to pump a character, interactions with other players, own culture, general style, the presence of a community, personalization of IP.
Specifically, it is necessary to name a certain topic. MMORPG games are often based on fantasy. There is a tendency for developers to turn to the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Among the topics there are more hybrid cases where familiar stories can be combined with science or crime.
The main goal of all these games is to upgrade your character. The gamer has the opportunity to improve it, to develop. To do this, he must earn experience points, some resources, interact with other players for his own benefit.
Social interactions as one of the main features of MMORPGs include the presence of clans, guilds, and other specialized groups. Due to them, gamers are free to get acquainted, communicate, and help each other.
It is impossible not to mention the role component, which is included even in the name. In all popular MMORPGs for PCs, it is possible to choose a character from different types of classes. Each role has its own strengths and weaknesses. There are players of the key movement on which tactics are built. There is the role of assistant or healer. It all depends on the project itself and its thoughtfulness.
Of course, describing the features of this online game, you can still tell a lot. But if you understand the essence in general, then you can delve into the details already when meeting a specific project.
Rating
Compiling various ratings is a thankless task. There will certainly be someone who will criticize each position and put forward their proposals. MMORPG rating is a doubly thankless task, as gamers are sometimes very aggressive. And if their favorite game does not fall in first place, they can get seriously angry and start writing angry comments to the author.
To make such tops is possible only after studying the resources that conducted a special vote. But talk about the objectivity of such a rating is impossible. Even if you open a couple of such tops, it turns out that one game can be first in the first place, then drop sharply two places lower, and then even be at the very end.
It would be fairer to leave MMORPG ratings alone, as well as debate about which game is the best. It is much easier to talk about the popularity of projects in this genre. Here the situation is clearer, and the information is less subjective.
List
The list of MMORPGs turned out to be compact. Once again, it must be said that it was not compiled by rating. It included some of the most famous, beloved and popular games:
- World of Warcraft
- Star Wars: The Old Republic;
- ArcheAge;
- Aion;
- Lineage 2;
- Guild Wars 2;
- Eve Online;
- Destiny 2;
- Ultima Online
- Black Desert.
The list can be supplemented. Someone wants to remove a couple of projects from it and add their own options. But this is currently a dozen role-playing online games. Each of them is found in any rating. Therefore, in order not to cause conflicts and disputes between players, consider that we just have a list of popular MMORPGs.
World of warcraft
It is difficult to find someone who would not know what kind of project this is. Its creator was Blizzard. This is not the only successful work of the developer. But this game was for many the best in the history of the existence of this genre.
A project appeared in 2004. It is not free, although it’s easier for some to pay only once, and then pay with game currency.
When the Blizzard developers introduced the world to the game, they decided to calmly leave for a well-deserved rest. Occasionally, they released different sequels and made updates. Now this project is less and less attracting beginners, as it has become an abandoned developer. Although the database WoW more than 15 million players.
It is undeniable that everything in this project is outdated. If before it was rightfully considered the most popular MMORPG in the world, now it remains in the hearts of experienced gamers and those who are nostalgic for zero.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
This is another project that is often remembered, although it can no longer get its former glory. The history of Star Wars has remained a cult for many. Even all modern space cinema masterpieces will not be able to surpass this work.
That is why this game also belongs to the popular MMORPGs. For the first time they heard about her back in 2008, but managed to see only during the release in 2011. After its release, many publications set a high score, someone even said that it was the best competitor to the cult World of Warcraft.
Since 2012, the developers decided to release the project as a Free-to-play model. But it cannot be said that this added to the popularity of the game.
Archeage
This is a Korean project that deservedly got on the list because of its popularity. The developer was XLGames, which is almost unknown. Europe and Russia saw this project in 2014.
This multiplayer game has become a favorite for many because it received a well-developed fantasy world of the same name. It shows the Middle Ages, and magical features, and steampunk.
ArcheAge is based on several books by the writer Min-Hee Jung from Korea. Mail.Ru Games has worked on Russian localization. Interestingly, at the time of the PTA, the game entered the top list of popular MMORPGs in Russia, but with the open beta test fell to the bottom. Now it’s hard to say why such differences were associated. But the project still gathered around him fans who created their cozy community, but are always welcome to newcomers.
Aion
A very large Korean project. He appeared in Russia in 2009. By this time, more than 3 million people from Asia became interested in the game. Perhaps the main feature of Aion can be called the hard work of developers.
Since their inception, they have been tirelessly working on updates. As a result, 32 additional chapters have appeared over the entire time. Each new version got its name.
Lineage 2
Aion is not the only NCSoft project. They also became developers and publishers of the popular "line". The game became a prequel to events that began 150 years before Lineage.
They announced the "line" back in 2002. By the next year, popularity gained unrealistic proportions. In March 2007, she was able to recruit a million gamers, and a year later they learned about this game in Russia. There is information that then more than 14 million players became interested in the project.
Guild wars 2
Without this game, the MMORPG review also could not take place. Of course, you can add its first part to this project. But still the second is a newer game, which became known in 2012. And even if it's hard to believe, but NCSoft again worked on it. Now this company has become a publisher, but the guys from the American company ArenaNet turned out to be the developers.
Many experts characterize this project as the best level of AAA. Despite the subsided developments, the fanbase saves the situation, works on the community and supports Guild Wars 2 on its own.
Eve online
This "old man" appeared in 2003. The project survived more than 20 updates, but for many it remains the best sci-fi MMORPG. For beginners, there is the possibility of a two-week free game.
Despite its almost 15 years ago, Eve Online still does not give rise to disappointment. Yes, it will be difficult for beginners to play it, yes, it is devoid of the classical level system. But all these are insignificant details that overlap with a hundred skills and sophisticated pumping systems.
Destiny 2
The game is now at the hearing of everyone. This is not surprising, because she appeared in September 2017. Developer Bungie offers a one-time purchase model. Despite the agreement, the game was a year late. But this is even good, as it fueled the interest of fans and attracted the attention of those who did not care.
The gameplay is very similar to the one that was found in the first part, but now there are some additions. For example, players can fight in a team of four in all PvP modes. There are also new activities - an option to move to social locations to meet gamers around the world.
Ultima Online
The oldest project, which was released in 1997. This MMORPG is considered the first in a similar genre. It is possible that there have been similar attempts before, but it was in this case that world popularity was achieved.
The developer was Origin Systems. The game contains the same fantasy world developed by Richard Garriott, who later created Lineage 2. The project was not just the first, but also got into the Guinness Book of Records.
Black desert
And the last on our list of popular MMORPGs is Black Desert. In 2015, she returned faith in a bright future for many fans of this genre. The project received sandbox elements. In a virtual world that acts like a living organism, you can constantly make some kind of interaction.
In the game you can besiege castles, buy or sell real estate. Here the player is available to engage in trade and production. The project offers a character selection from 13 classes and a huge variety of cool, but previously unseen for MMORPG opportunities.
conclusions
As already mentioned, this list goes on and on. And even after hundreds of projects it will be difficult to stop. MMORPG is a very popular genre that attracts the attention of millions of players around the world. Its main advantage is involvement. The gamer has the excitement of becoming the best in the virtual world, so he can tirelessly pump his character day and night.
Questions of psychology of fans of this genre also have a place to be. There are some studies that show that MMORPG is an insidious and dangerous genre for impressionable players. But for the majority of fans it is still an opportunity to expand the geography of acquaintances, have fun and escape from everyday life.