MMOs Archives

AppWizard

March 17, 2025

NCSoft’s PC Games Struggle as Lineage Mobile Generates More Revenue Than Their All PC Games Combined

NCSoft's revenues have sharply declined since peaking in 2022, with 2024 revenues falling below 2017 levels. The company's stock price has decreased by 71% over the past five years. The transition from PC gaming to mobile platforms initially increased revenues, but profitability has suffered due to high platform fees from Apple and Google. NCSoft's legacy MMOs, like Lineage and Lineage 2, avoid these fees. Currently, Lineage M generates more revenue than all of NCSoft's PC games combined, and in 2022, Lineage W brought in nearly three times the revenue of the entire PC game portfolio. However, revenue from Lineage W has also declined. The player base for Throne and Liberty has decreased rapidly, raising concerns about its long-term viability. The upcoming release of Aion 2 is expected in the latter half of 2025, but expectations for success are cautious.

AppWizard

March 16, 2025

Wyrdsong, the RPG from ex-Bethesda talent, isn’t dead—but it’s no longer an open world: ‘We’re down to a skeleton crew’

Wyrdsong, an open-world RPG developed by Something Wicked Games, was announced at Gamescom three years ago and is set in a warped medieval Portugal with mythological references. The studio, founded by veterans of titles like Skyrim and Fallout, received a million seed investment from NetEase in 2022, but this funding has been insufficient for the project's ambitions. Co-founder Jeff Gardiner mentioned that the team is adapting by adding a rogue-lite element to the game, which required repurposing existing assets. The studio has faced challenges, including layoffs and the departure of key team members, leaving them with a "skeleton crew." Gardiner is actively seeking investment or publishing offers, expressing hope for a breakthrough this year. The gaming industry is experiencing a downturn, with increased competition for funding and player attention, leading to a cautious purchasing approach among consumers. Gardiner noted that the success of established titles can hinder new projects, as players tend to stick with familiar games. Despite these challenges, Gardiner remains committed to realizing Wyrdsong.

AppWizard

March 1, 2025

Runescape is finally wrapping up one of its earliest storylines, 24 years after the first quest debuted

Runescape launched the quest "Prince Ali Rescue" on February 28, 2001, starting the Desert quest line. The conclusion of this storyline will occur through the "Return to the Desert" trilogy, announced at RuneFest, with releases scheduled for April and July. The trilogy includes "Beneath Scabaras' Sands" in January, "Pharaoh's Folly" in April, and "Eclipse of the Heart" in July. Players will revisit familiar locations and encounter updated appearances of characters, including Amascut, who will regain her "divine feline form." Amascut will also be featured in a new battle, which will include the game's first-ever world-first race.

AppWizard

February 24, 2025

23 year-old Dungeons & Dragons RPG Neverwinter Nights just got a new, official expansion that continues its original story in a ‘love letter’ to the game and its community

Neverwinter Nights has received a new expansion titled Doom of Icewind Dale, created by Luke Scull with approval from Wizards of the Coast. This expansion takes place several years after the original campaign and offers 10 to 15 hours of mid to high-level quests in Icewind Dale, introducing new monsters, portraits, music, and a narrated introduction. Scull began his career by modding Neverwinter Nights and has since developed a reputation in the gaming industry. Doom of Icewind Dale was initially intended as a free mod but became a larger project with support from Patreon and Wizards of the Coast, leading to a multipart campaign called The Blades of Netheril. The expansion is available on platforms like Steam and GOG, alongside the Enhanced Edition of Neverwinter Nights.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Make Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 feel even more like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion with this charming potato mode mod

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is designed as a nostalgic homage to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, featuring medieval exploration and eccentric NPC behaviors. The Ultra Low Graphics Mode mod, created by Jindra1403, compresses nearly two decades of graphical evolution into a unique visual style reminiscent of early gaming. While the mod captures retro charm, it reveals disparities in urban settings and NPC designs compared to Oblivion. Players express a desire for a mod that could replicate Oblivion's features, including moon-faced NPCs and dynamic landscapes. The mod can be downloaded from the modding community, and users can adjust settings via Notepad. Jindra has also created a very low graphics mod that enhances performance while maintaining the original aesthetic of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

AppWizard

December 20, 2024

Ubisoft releases new Blood Dragon game… with NFTs

Ubisoft is facing challenges, including game cancellations and workforce reductions, while exploring new engagement opportunities through the nostalgic universe of Far Cry 3 and the spin-off Blood Dragon. They are launching a top-down shooter called Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E., featuring Rayman as a commentator. Players must purchase an NFT, the 'Niji Warrior' card, to participate, which evolves as they progress. The game promotes familiar NFT concepts, such as shaping the world and earning exclusive rewards, but gameplay details remain vague, with minimal in-game footage available. Ubisoft's previous NFT initiatives faced backlash, but they continue to pursue this technology, partnering with blockchain platform Immutable and keeping NFT content separate from their main branding.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Atlyss is a considerately horny RPG where you can play the thickest furry this side of the internet, but I’m in it for the fun action and oldschool MMO nostalgia, I swear

Kiseff has developed an early access title called Atlyss, a pseudo-MMO featuring customizable avatars and anthropomorphic characters. The game includes suggestive designs but avoids explicit content, allowing players to tone down risqué features. Atlyss offers straightforward yet engaging combat mechanics, with a variety of whimsical enemies and three distinct classes—Mystic, Fighter, and Bandit. Players can enchant weapons and respec character attributes, enhancing gameplay depth. The game is available on Steam for £8.50.

AppWizard

December 2, 2024

The 50 best PC Games of all time

Dexerto is celebrating PC Gaming Week by identifying the top 50 PC games through a collaborative polling process among dedicated PC gamers, which initially resulted in a shortlist of 100 games. The final list aims to resonate with both seasoned gamers and newcomers. Many of these classic titles are available through PC Game Pass for subscribers.

AppWizard

November 28, 2024

It’s been a decade since Endless Legend, the 4X genre’s most inventive weirdo and the closest thing we’ve got to a modern Alpha Centauri, launched—we’re long overdue another one

The 4X genre remains popular among gamers, with Endless Legend, released a decade ago by Amplitude Studios, being a standout title that combines sci-fi and fantasy elements. It is set on the diverse planet Auriga, featuring various factions and unique fauna. Recent games like Humankind and Old World have prompted discussions about the genre's evolution, with Humankind being criticized for its derivative nature and Old World praised for its innovation. Amplitude Studios recently parted ways with Sega, raising uncertainty about a potential sequel to Endless Legend. The game is currently available at a discount, priced just over £5, with the entire Endless series (excluding Endless Dungeon) available for under £20.

BetaBeacon

November 19, 2024

Ahead of the Game: Landing Party is the groundwork for the first AR MMORPG

Landing Party is a new AR gaming experience created by the founder of Turbine. It uses AR technology to layer a science fiction game world over ours, where players must navigate through different levels and factions fighting for control. The game is already responsive and playable in its demo form, with potential for future development into a larger product with more complex scenarios.