List of massively multiplayer online role-playing games
For online games in other genres, see List of massively multiplayer online games.
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This is a selected list of massively multiplayer online role-playing games. MMORPGs are large multi-user games that take place in perpetual online worlds with a great number of other players. In most MMORPGs each player controls an avatar that interacts with other players, completes tasks to gain experience, and acquires items.
Business models
MMORPGs today use a wide range of business models, from free of charge (with microtransactions) or advertise funded to various kinds of payment plans. This list uses the following terms.
- Free-to-play (F2P) means that there is no cost to purchase the software and there is no subscription charge. Variably applies to traditionally bought and forever available games. Almost all newer MMOs that fall under this category now includes heavy microtransactions however, which causes them to overlap with the Freemium model most of the time.
- Freemium means that the majority or all of the game's content is available for free but players can pay for extra content, added perks or faster advancement into the game via microtransactions.
- Pay-to-play (P2P) means that the MMO can only be played through purchasing of the game box or/as well as paying a monthly subscription fee for access to the game after the free trial from the game box has expired. This is the least common model as games must be exceptionally successful and popular in order to keep their players invested so that they continue to pay the subscription fee.
List of MMORPGs
Title | Status | Graphics | Setting | Subscription Model | Initial Release Date | Server Close Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4th Coming, The | 2D (isometric) | Fantasy | Free-to-play (on most servers) | 1999 | |||
9Dragons | 3D | Historical fantasy (China), martial arts | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
Ace Online | 3D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2006 | |||
Aces High | 3D | Historical (World War II) | Pay-to-play | 2000 | |||
AdventureQuest Worlds | 2D | Medieval fantasy | Freemium | 2003 | Browser-based | ||
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
Age of Wulin | 3D | Martial Arts, Wuxia (fantasy) | Freemium | 2013 | |||
Aion: The Tower of Eternity | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
AIKA Online | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Free-to-play | 2009 | |||
Allods Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2010 | |||
Anarchy Online | 3D | Science fiction | Freemium | 2001 | |||
Angel Love Online | 2D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2006 | Downloadable client (Windows only). Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 3 | ||
ArcheAge | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2013 | Next-generation MMORPG - Open-sandbox player built world, large-scale crafting interactions (building own ship to sail with, etc) | ||
Ashen Empires | 2D (isometric) | Fantasy | Freemium | 2002 | Housing, Guilds, 3 Expansions, Downloadable client (Windows only) | ||
Asheron's Call | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 1999 | Has player housing | ||
Asheron's Call 2 | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2002 | December 2005 | ||
Atlantica Online | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | Turn-based strategy | ||
Aura Kingdom | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2014 | |||
Battlestar Galactica Online | 3D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2011 | Browser-based, Battlestar Galactica license | ||
Black Desert | Final beta phase | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Next-generation MMORPG - Active, open-sandbox player built world - Manual aim action combat - Next-generation graphics | |||
Blade & Soul | 3D | Fantasy, martial arts | Freemium (Korea, China) Pay-to-play (Japan) | 2012 | Manual aim action combat (with sub-tab targeting/guided option) | ||
Cabal Online | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2005 | |||
Champions Online | 3D | Superheroes | Freemium | 2009 | |||
City of Heroes | 3D | Superheroes | Freemium | 2004 | November 30th, 2012 | Formerly pay-to-play | |
City of Villains | 3D | Superheroes | Freemium | 2005 | November 30th, 2012 | ||
Clan Lord | 2D | Fantasy | Pay for account; free-to-play | 1998 | Downloadable client (Windows, Mac). Primarily for Mac PCs | ||
Club Penguin | 2D | Cartoon, kids | Freemium | 2005 | Browser-based | ||
Crowns of Power | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
Dark Age of Camelot | 3D | Mythology (Arthurian) | Pay-to-play | 2001 | |||
Dark Ages | 2D | Mythology (Celtic) | Pay for account; free-to-play | 1999 | |||
Darkeden | 2D | Horror | Freemium | 1997 | 2013 | ||
Drakensang Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2012 | Browser-based | ||
Darkfall Unholy Wars | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2013 | |||
Dead Frontier | 3D | Horror | Freemium | 2008 | Pay for extras, Browser-based | ||
DC Universe Online | 3D | Superheroes | Freemium | 2011 | DC Comics license | ||
Defiance | 3D | Science fiction, Post-apocalyptic | Freemium | 2013 | Tie-in to Defiance (TV series), formerly pay-to-play | ||
Digimon Masters | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2011 | |||
Dofus | 2D (isometric) | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2004 | Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux) Tactical combat | ||
Dragon Nest | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2010 | Manual aim action combat | ||
Dragon Oath | 3D | Mythology (Chinese) | Free-to-play | 2007 | Based on the novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jin Yong | ||
Dragon Quest X | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2012 | Multiplatform: Wii, Wii U | ||
Dragonica also known as Dragon Saga | 3D (side-scrolling) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2010 | Anime/manga-style hack and slash | ||
Dungeons & Dragons Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2006 | D&D 3.5 Edition ruleset | ||
Dynasty Warriors Online | 3D | Historical fantasy (China), martial arts | Free-to-play | 2006 | Hack and slash | ||
Earth and Beyond | 3D | Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2002 | September 22nd, 2004 | Space vehicle piloting, trading, leveling | |
The Elder Scrolls Online | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Buy-to-play | 2014 | Manual aim action combat (Formally a subscription based MMO, but subscription requirement was changed to optional on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. Purchase of game from retailers or The Elder Scrolls Online website still required) | ||
Elite: Dangerous | 3D | Science fiction | Buy-to-play | 2014 | Space / trading / combat simulator | ||
Emil Chronicle Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2005 | 2010 | ||
Empire & State | 2D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2011 | Browser-Based political strategy MMORPG | ||
Empire of Sports | 3D | Modern sports | Free-to-play | 2008 | Sports-based | ||
Elsword | 2D (isometric) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
Entropia Universe | 3D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2003 | |||
Eternal Lands | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2003 | Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux) | ||
EVE Online | 3D | Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2003 | Space vehicle piloting, trading, and business management | ||
EverQuest | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 1999 | Formerly pay-to-play | ||
EverQuest II | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2004 | Sequel to Everquest | ||
EverQuest Next | Under development | 3D | Fantasy | Next-generation MMORPG - Active, open world, Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 4 | |||
Fantage | 2D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2008 | |||
Face of Mankind | 3D | Science fiction | Freemium | 2009 | |||
Fallen Earth | 3D | Post-apocalyptic | Freemium | 2009 | |||
Fantasy Westward Journey | 2D | Fantasy (Chinese) | Free-to-play | 2004 | Inspired by Journey to the West | ||
Fiesta Online | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
Final Fantasy XI | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2002 | Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360 | ||
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2013 | Relaunch of Final Fantasy XIV. Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 | ||
Firefall | Open beta | 3D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2011 | First-person/third-person shooter | |
Flyff | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2005 | |||
Fragoria | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2011 | Browser-based | ||
Furcadia | 2D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 1996 | |||
Gekkeiju Online | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Free-to-play | 2003 | Anime-based. New version in 2010 with ""Occulus Rift"" support | ||
GodsWar Online | 3D | Mythology (Greek) | Free-to-play | 2009 | |||
Granado Espada | 3D | Historical fantasy (Age of Exploration) | Pay-to-play | 2007 | |||
Grand Chase | 2D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2003 | Client download required | ||
Guild Wars | 3D | Fantasy | Buy-to-Play | 2005 | |||
Guild Wars 2 | 3D | Fantasy | Buy-to-Play | 2012 | Manual aim action combat (guided), sequel to Guild Wars | ||
H1Z1 | Steam Early Access Beta | 3D | Survival | Free-to-play | 2015 | Multiplatform: PC & PS4 (Free-to-play with purchase of the game's early access currently available on Steam, PS4 version relaseing late 2015) | |
Helbreath | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 1999 | |||
Hello Kitty Online | 3D | Cartoon | Free-to-play | 2009 | Client download required. | ||
Hero Online | 3D | Mythology (Chinese) | Free-to-play | 2006 | |||
Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play / Pay-to-play | 2003 | Name changed from Horizons | ||
Illyriad | 2D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2011 | |||
Jade Dynasty | 3D | Fantasy, martial arts | Freemium | 2008 | Latest expansion in 2013 | ||
Kal Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2004 | |||
Knight Online | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2004 | |||
LaTale | 2D (side-scrolling) | Fantasy | Freemium | 2006 | 2010 | ||
The Legend of Ares | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | May 2009 | ||
The Legend of Mir 2 | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2001 | |||
The Legend of Mir 3 | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2004 | Sequel to The Legend of Mir 2 | ||
Lineage | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 1998 | North American servers shutdown on May 2011 | ||
Lineage II | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2003 | Sequel to Lineage, formerly pay-to-play until the 2011 expansion | ||
Lineage III | Under development | 3D | Fantasy | Sequel to Lineage II | |||
Little Space Heroes | 2D | Kids | Freemium | 2011 | |||
The Lord of the Rings Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2007 | |||
Love | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2010 | Builder | ||
Lunia: Record of Lunia War | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | 2013 | Action MMORPG | |
Mabinogi | 3D | Fantasy, mythology (Welsh) | Free-to-play | 2004 | |||
Magical Land | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy (Chinese) | Free-to-play | 2005 | |||
MapleStory | 2D (side-scrolling) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2003 | |||
Matrix Online | 3D | Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2005 | July 31, 2009 | ||
Meridian 59 | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 1995 | Formerly pay-to-play | ||
Metin 2 | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2004 | |||
Minions of Mirth | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2005 | |||
MonsterMMORPG | 2D | Fantasy | Free | 2011 | Browse based | ||
Mortal Online | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2010 | Formerly pay-to-play | ||
MU Online | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Free-to-play | 2003 | |||
Mythos | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2011 | 2012 | ||
Myst Online | 3D | Ancient Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2007 | Open source | ||
Neocron | 3D | Cyberpunk | Free-to-play | 2002 | FPS-style gameplay, second installment run by the game's community | ||
Neverwinter | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2013 | |||
Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds | 2D (sprite-based; overhead) | Mythology (Korean) | Pay-to-play | 1996 | |||
Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen | Under development | 3D | Fantasy | Spiritual successor to the original Everquest | |||
Pardus | 2D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2004 | Browser-based, space war and trading game | ||
Parallel Kingdom | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2008 | |||
Perfect World | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2005 | Latest expansion in 2013 | ||
Perpetuum[1][2] | 3D | Science fiction | Freemium with purchase of the game | 2010 | Persistent sandbox MMORPG. Formerly pay-to-play (former subscribers who had paid for at least 3 months of subscription time receive game for free).[3] | ||
Phantasy Star Online 2 | 3D | Science Fiction | Freemium | 2012 | |||
Phoenix Dynasty Online | 2D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | December 8, 2010 | ||
Pirates of the Burning Sea | 3D | Historical (maritime) | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
PlaneShift | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2000 | Open source | ||
Priston Tale | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2001 | 2013 | ||
Poptropica | 2D (side-scrolling) | Cartoon, kids | Freemium | 2007 | Browser-based, no downloadable client required | ||
Puppet Guardian | 2D (isometric; adventure) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
Ragnarok Online | 2D/3D[4] | Fantasy, mythology (Norse/mixed) | Freemium/Pay-to-play (Depending on the server) | 2002 | |||
Ragnarok Online 2 | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2012 | Sequel to Ragnarok Online | ||
Ran Online | 3D | Campus fantasy | Freemium | 2004 | 2013 | ||
Realm of the Mad God | 2D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2011 | Browser-based | ||
The Realm Online | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 1996 | |||
Regnum Online | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Freemium | 2007 | |||
Requiem: Memento Mori | 3D | Dark fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
RF Online | 3D | Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2006 | 2014 | ||
Rift | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2011 | Formerly pay-to-play | ||
Roblox | 3D | Abstract | Freemium | 2006 | Block-building game | ||
Rohan: Blood Feud | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2008 | |||
ROSE Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2005 | |||
Runes of Magic | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Freemium | 2009 | |||
RuneScape | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Freemium with subscription model | 2001 | Browser-based, Java and HTML 5. Optional membership will unlock more skills and quests as well as access to Old School Runescape, and allow players access to Runescape Classic if it's unlocked for them. | ||
Rusty Hearts | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2011 | 2014 | Hack and slash | |
Ryzom | 3D | Science fiction | Freemium | 2004 | Free-to-play (up to level 125), pay-to-play (to max level). Open source | ||
Salem | 3D | Historical (17th century) fantasy | Free-to-play | 2012 | Crafting-based | ||
Sangokushi Online | 3D | Mythology (Chinese) | Pay-to-play | 2008 | Part of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series by Koei | ||
The Secret World | 3D | Modern | Freemium with purchase of the game | 2012 | Formerly pay-to-play | ||
Seal Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2003 | |||
Scions of Fate or Yulgang | 2D (sprite-based) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2005 | |||
Shadowbane | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2003 | July 2009 | Switched to "free-to-play" in March 15, 2006, supported by ads | |
Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
Sho Online | 3D | Historical fantasy (China) | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
Shot-Online | 3D | Sports (golf) | Freemium | 2004 | |||
Silkroad Online | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2005 | |||
Soul of the Ultimate Nation | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2007 | 2013 | ||
Spiral Knights | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2009 | Java | ||
Star Trek Online | 3D | Science fiction | Freemium | 2010 | Switched to "free-to-play" in January 2012 | ||
Star Wars Galaxies | 3D | Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2003 | December 2011 | The first Star Wars MMORPG used a "sandbox" approach with a totally player-driven economy | |
Star Wars: The Old Republic | 3D | Science fiction | Freemium | 2011 | Spiritual sequel of 2003's Game of the year Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, formerly pay-to-play | ||
StarQuest Online | 3D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 2007 | 2014 | Downloadable client (Windows) | |
Stellar Dawn | Development paused | 3D | Science fiction | Development started back in 2006 as Mechscape, which was scrapped in 2009. In 2010 Stellar Dawn was announced, though in March of 2012 the development was paused so the developer, Jagex, could focus on their other games. | |||
A Tale in the Desert | 3D | Mythology (Egyptian) | Pay-to-play | 2003 | Non-combat-oriented RPG | ||
Tales of Pirates | 3D | Fantasy (Maritime) | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
TERA: Rising | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2011 | Manual aim action combat (True Action combat) | ||
Terra | 3D | Science fiction | Free-to-play | 1996 | Armored battle | ||
Tibia | 2D (sprite-based; overhead) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 1997 | Downloadable client (Windows, Linux). | ||
Toontown Online | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | June 2, 2003 | September 19, 2013 | MMORPG designed for children | |
Twelve Sky | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2007 | |||
Twelve Sky 2 | 3D | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008 | |||
Ultima Online | 2D | Medieval fantasy | Pay-to-play | 1997 |
The term MMORPG was first coined by Ultima Online creator Richard Garriott in 1997.[5] | ||
Uncharted Waters Online | 3D | Historical (maritime) | Pay-to-play | 2005 | |||
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2007 | 2014 | The servers were shut down on July 31st, 2014 | |
Vindictus | 3D | Fantasy (Celtic) | Free-to-play | 2010 | Manual aim action combat | ||
Voyage Century Online | 3D | Historical (maritime) | Free-to-play | 2006 | |||
Vendetta Online | 3D | Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2004 | Space vehicle piloting and twitch-based interface | ||
Wakfu | 2D (isometric) | Fantasy | Freemium | 2012 | Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux). Tactical combat. | ||
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2008 | 2013 | ||
Warhammer 40,000: Eternal Crusade | Pre-Alpha production | 3D | Fantasy, Science Fiction | Buy-to-Play | 2015 | PC. Founders Packs available | |
WildStar | 3D | Fantasy, Science fiction | Pay-to-play | 2014 | Manual aim action combat (telegraphed) | ||
With Your Destiny | 3D | Fantasy (Scandinavian) | Free-to-play | 2003 | |||
Wizard101 | 3D | Fantasy, kids | Freemium | 2008 | Wizard game with cards, kid-safe chat | ||
WonderKing Online | 2D (side-scrolling) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2006 | |||
Wonderland Online | 2D (special) | Fantasy | Free-to-play | 2008, March | Anime/Manga based | ||
World of the Living Dead: Resurrection | 2D | Survival Strategy | Free-to-play | 2014 | Map-Based Survival Game with PvP, Factions, Customisation, Upgrades & Crafting | ||
World of Warcraft | 3D | Fantasy | Pay-to-play | 2004 | Free-to-play until level 20 | ||
Wurm Online | 3D | Medieval fantasy | Freemium | 2006 | Sandbox game with hundreds of skills, multiple kingdoms, and a deep crafting system. | ||
Yulgang (Scions of Fate) | 3D | Fantasy | Freemium | 2007 | |||
Zhengtu | 2D | Mythology (Chinese) | Freemium | 2008 | |||
Zu Online | 3D | Mythology (Chinese) | Free-to-play | 2007 | 2012 | ||
See also
- Chronology of MUDs
- Comparison of MMORPGs
- History of MMORPGs
- List of free MMOGs
- List of MMOGs
- List of multiplayer browser games
- List of text-based MMORPGs
- Online game
Notes
- ↑ Rossignol, Jim (2010-06-02). "Interview: Perpetuum Online". Rockpapershotgun.com. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
- ↑ Brendan Drain (2011-06-26). "Perpetuum receives influx of EVE players". Massively.com. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
- ↑ "Perpetuum Developer Blog: The end of subscriptions, the start of something new". blog.perpetuum-online.com. 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
- ↑ 3D environment with 2D sprites
- ↑ Safko, Ron; Brake, David (2009). The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success. Wiley. ISBN 0-470-41155-4.
Richard Garriott first coined the term MMORPG in 1997.