MMOs Archives

AppWizard

August 2, 2026

Question time: What makes a ‘good’ grind in an MMO?

Grinding in MMOs refers to the repetitive activities necessary to achieve specific objectives within the game. It is often debated among players, with some expressing aversion to it, while others find it an inherent part of the genre focused on progression and long-term goals. An example provided is the quest for relic weapons in Final Fantasy 14, where gathering 600 units of crystal paste from dungeons involves grinding low-level dungeons. The author reflects on their enjoyment of this grinding experience, suggesting that it may offer a sense of tranquility and could be beneficial within MMOs. The text invites readers to share their opinions on grinding, whether they find it enjoyable or frustrating.

AppWizard

July 25, 2026

Discussion time: Have you ever said goodbye to an MMO you’ve played for 1,000s of hours?

Sean Martin reflects on the emotional experience of saying goodbye to a beloved MMO, specifically Destiny 2, in which he dedicated over 3,000 hours. The game reached an abrupt conclusion, halting midway through a narrative arc, leaving a bittersweet sense of finality. He acknowledges the deep connections players form within MMOs, including friendships and romantic partnerships. Martin plans to take a break before exploring Guild Wars 3, expressing both excitement and relief at the end of Destiny 2, as it allows for new adventures.

AppWizard

July 22, 2026

Tomb Raider Legacy of Atlantis needs to have this one thing or it won’t feel right

Ava enjoys immersive RPGs, MMOs, and cozy games, particularly The Sims and Dead by Daylight. The upcoming Tomb Raider game, Legacy of Atlantis, features a quote from Lara Croft's ancestor, T.E. Croft, about the burden of legacy, which resonates with fans. Anticipation for the game increased after a mini-documentary was released on July 20, with developers Crystal Dynamics and Flying Wild Hog focusing on honoring Lara's character and movement. Lead Gameplay Designer Bartek Schweiger emphasized the importance of reflecting on the series' past. Fans are eager for the return of Croft Manor, which has not been represented in a way that evokes nostalgia since earlier games. The manor provided a space for players to practice skills and has memorable elements, such as the obstacle course and the music. Legacy of Atlantis aims to unify Lara's timeline and reintroduce Croft Manor to both veteran fans and newcomers. The mini-documentary highlights the return of Charlie the fish, a character from TR Anniversary, indicating the developers' commitment to the series' legacy. Creative Director Mikał Kuk and Game Director Raul Siqueira discussed the significance of Charlie and Lara's acrobatics, suggesting a thoughtful approach to her character development and the potential for Croft Manor to play a key role in the game.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Question time: How long have you been playing MMOs?

A new bi-weekly column called Terminally Online from PC Gamer explores the world of massively multiplayer online games (MMOs), featuring insights, interviews, and guest writers. The design of contemporary MMORPGs has shifted towards seasonal structures to cater to "midcore" players who have limited time for gameplay. Popular MMOs like World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV have been around for over 20 years and a decade, respectively, while newer games like Amazon's New World have struggled with player retention. The column encourages readers to share their experiences and reminisce about the MMO community.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

Raids just landed in solo ‘simulated MMO’ Erenshor

Erenshor is a solo MMO that features computer-controlled NPCs called "simplayers" and has recently introduced guilds and party formations. The Planar March patch, released last Monday, added raids to the game, which the developer Brian described as a significant update. The game has a "very positive" rating on Steam, with 94% of user reviews recommending it. Erenshor allows players to engage in gameplay without the need to coordinate schedules for traditional raids, offering a blend of grinding and strategic encounters reminiscent of classic MMOs.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online’s developer deserved better than to get sucker-punched by Microsoft twice in two years

PC Gamer's column discusses the state of MMOs, highlighting that they are not facing extinction despite recent challenges. Zenimax Online Studios (ZOS), known for The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), has experienced significant layoffs, with reports indicating that approximately 60% of the studio faced job cuts between 2025 and 2026, including 213 layoffs in one week. The cancellation of Project Blackbird, an ambitious new venture after over five years of development, has left the community disheartened. ESO has generated over a billion in revenue since its inception, averaging 6 million annually, yet the decision to cut jobs has raised concerns about corporate priorities, especially given the game's recent positive player feedback and the timing of the layoffs coinciding with ESO's first season launch.

AppWizard

June 27, 2026

Discussion time: Most big MMOs are seasonal now—do you prefer it that way, or do you loathe the FOMO checklist?

Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) are increasingly adopting a seasonal structure, with titles like Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and The Elder Scrolls Online implementing named seasons. This shift aims to address player fatigue from extensive power grinds, offering a reset mechanism that allows for a more level playing field. In contrast, games like Old School RuneScape, EVE Online, and Project Gorgon focus on permanent progress without seasonal resets. Guild Wars 2 utilizes a hybrid model, combining major patches with a horizontal progression system.

AppWizard

June 20, 2026

The creator of Ultima is reportedly reclaiming the series’ rights back from EA, and it could happen as soon as next year

Ultima is a significant franchise in PC gaming, originally created by Richard 'Lord British' Garriott, known for its influential roleplaying series and spinoffs like Ultima Underworld and Ultima Online. The rights to the series have been held by Electronic Arts (EA) since 1992, following Garriott's sale of Origin Systems. Despite some releases, the series has largely been inactive under EA, with unsuccessful attempts at revival in 2010 and 2013. Recent developments indicate that Garriott may soon reclaim the copyright to Ultima in 2027 due to U.S. copyright law, although the trademark will remain with EA. Garriott has expressed interest in potentially creating a new title, possibly titled "Lord British's Ultima." He has attempted to revive the series multiple times during EA's ownership but has faced challenges in those discussions.

AppWizard

June 19, 2026

Guild Wars 3 is ‘significantly more’ of an MMO than the first game, but that doesn’t mean it’s like GW2: ‘All three of our games can coexist as different experiences’

Guild Wars 2 is a significant title in the MMO genre, following the original Guild Wars, which is more accurately described as a mission-based action role-playing game (ARPG) with shared town hubs. ArenaNet's studio head, Colin Johanson, confirmed that the upcoming Guild Wars 3 will be an MMO, with some nuances. He categorized the original Guild Wars as a "cooperative online RPG" and noted that Guild Wars 2 was designed as a true MMO. Johanson's comments reflect on the challenges and emotional experiences associated with MMOs.

AppWizard

June 14, 2026

Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park ‘assembly line’ MMO just isn’t viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: ‘We hit the wall’

Raph Koster, known for his work on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, is developing a new MMO called Stars Reach, which aims to recapture the sandbox experience of earlier games. Koster believes the current MMO industry is stagnating, with many players feeling bored and frustrated due to a lack of innovation and over-monetization. He acknowledges the challenge of revitalizing the genre but hopes that Stars Reach will offer a fresh and novel experience for players. The game is set to enter early access this summer.