MMOs Archives

AppWizard

May 31, 2026

The team behind Turtle WoW is starting fresh with a new MMO: “We know this is an enormous undertaking”

The creators of Turtle WoW, a fan-driven private server for World of Warcraft, have transitioned to form Moonwhisper Games and are developing a new MMORPG following the shutdown of Turtle WoW servers on May 15 due to a legal settlement with Blizzard. They aim to create their own narrative, universe, and intellectual property, inspired by community support. The team acknowledges the challenges of developing an MMORPG but feels equipped with their experience in MMO development. They are currently focused on establishing the foundational elements of their new project and are revamping their Discord server to foster a community space for gaming.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

PC Gamer’s MMO readers are, according to you, fashion-forward healers who like your keybinds, and I couldn’t be more proud

32% of readers identify as healers, 27% as DPS players, and 25% as tanks. 10% embrace any role, while approximately 6% have played Guild Wars 2. In a fashion-related poll, 36% believe "fashion is the true endgame," 16% seek essential glamour pieces, 17% collect outfits, and 7% maintain a basic appearance, leaving 24% indifferent to fashion. 70% of readers are unfazed by slower dungeon runs, while 30% are divided between those wanting a faster pace (16%) and those who are indifferent (15%). Regarding classic MMOs, 28% believe traditional formats are outdated, 35% wish for a shift away from tab-targeting, 42% favor tab-targeting, and 23% are indifferent to changes.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Witchfire

PC Gamer has previewed the upcoming dark fantasy RPG shooter Witchfire, developed by The Astronauts, which is set to release its version 1.0 after a decade of development and positive user reviews on Steam. The issue also discusses the legacy of MMOs on PC, listing major titles available as of 2026, including World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. Additionally, it features previews of upcoming games like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and reviews of titles such as Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred and Vampire Crawlers. Digital editions of the magazine are available in PDF and EPUB formats through Pocketmags.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

MMOs are better if classes are imbalanced—you just need to do it on purpose

Hikaru Tamaki, during the Final Fantasy 14: Evercold presentation, revealed that the design team is considering a 90% damage reduction buff for the new Dragoon class while using its Sky High action. The game has maintained a strong job balance, partly due to the lack of a traditional talent tree system, which is currently under review. The developers are introducing a feature that allows players to sync their highest item level across different jobs, facilitating easier role adaptation without excessive grinding. The article suggests that MMO developers should enhance existing systems rather than reinvent them, advocating for a "purposefully imbalanced" framework where classes excel in specific areas while relying on others for support.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

15 PC Games That Rely More on CPU Than GPU

In competitive gaming, unique character abilities combined with a 5v5 format create innovative experiences, with high stakes in competitive shooters where low frame rates can lead to defeat, demanding on CPU resources. Baldur’s Gate 3 features an immersive storyline and expansive world, requiring a robust CPU due to its intricate physics and character interactions. Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020 onwards) is a CPU-intensive simulation game that offers real-time world streaming, dynamic weather, and air traffic management. GTA Online allows players to engage in a sprawling open world of crime, with complex AI interactions that demand substantial processing power. Civilization VI, while not graphically intensive, requires significant CPU load for its intricate gameplay mechanics and constant calculations. Counter-Strike 2 demands high FPS and stable frame rates, making it extremely CPU-intensive due to its tactical team-based combat. World of Warcraft is one of the most CPU-intensive MMOs, requiring significant processing power for large-scale battles and exploration. Total War: WARHAMMER III places considerable demands on CPU performance due to its real-time warfare mechanics with vast armies. Overwatch relies on steady frame rates and real-time calculations, necessitating a powerful CPU, while also depending on the GPU for optimal performance. Minecraft's resource generation and real-time world building place significant demands on the CPU across various modes. Call of Duty: Warzone requires a powerful CPU to maintain fast frame rates and execute numerous physics-related calculations on a massive map. Starfield is one of the most demanding PC games of 2023, emphasizing the need for a capable CPU to handle its complex mechanics and expansive environments.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Singleplayer simulated MMO Erenshor is getting raids this summer

Brian, the solo developer behind Burgee Media, created an MMORPG called Erenshor, which was released in early access on Steam. The game features a fully simulated single-player environment with quests, expansive zones, and computer-controlled "simplayers." Erenshor has a 94% positive review rating and will introduce raids this summer, enhancing gameplay. A recent patch added the "Friends Club," a guild of simplayers with elitist attitudes, expected to create raid drama. Players can enjoy endgame loot without the social pressures of traditional MMOs. A fifth and final raid will be included in a future update before the game's 1.0 launch.

AppWizard

May 12, 2026

Turns out you yearn for the return of PC Gamer’s two favourite genres just as much as we do

A recent poll gauged which "dead" or "dying" video game genres gamers would like to see revived. The results showed that real-time strategy (RTS) games received 29% of the votes, while immersive simulations (immsims) garnered 28%. Other genres of interest included massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) at 16% and point-and-click adventures at 11%. There was also interest in the return of text adventures and beat-'em-ups.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 is coming this summer, now with more marines and a ‘massive variety of new xenomorphs’ to slice ’em up

The development of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 has been officially confirmed. The sequel will allow squads of up to four players and introduce a new Specialist Class for customizable abilities. Cold Iron Studios is developing the game, which will be published by Daybreak Game Company. A specific release date is not yet announced, but it is anticipated to launch this summer and is available for wishlisting on Steam and the Epic Games Store.

AppWizard

May 4, 2026

Former Elder Scrolls Online boss was told in 2001 that ‘There’s already enough MMOs out there, no one is ever gonna play a new one’

Matt Firor, founder of ZeniMax Online Studios, discussed the gaming industry's challenges, particularly following the cancellation of their MMO, Project Blackbird. He expressed skepticism about analyst Matthew Ball's report on the industry's state but remains optimistic about its potential, citing a diverse range of developers contributing to creativity and innovation. Firor believes the industry is too expansive and dynamic to fail entirely, although he raised concerns about the sustainability of careers in game development and the romanticized notion of making games versus the reality of the field.

AppWizard

May 2, 2026

Loving MMOs in 2026 is an exercise in frustration, grief, and moving on

This week’s edition of Terminally Online reflects on the current state of Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs), highlighting a mix of nostalgia and concern. The genre includes popular titles like The Elder Scrolls Online, Final Fantasy 14, and Guild Wars 2, but recent cancellations of new MMOs have caused unease among players, with 2025 referred to as an “MMO massacre.” Projects such as New World and Project Blackbird have been canceled, emphasizing the fragility of the genre. Players often find themselves relying on established games as excitement for new releases wanes. Investing time in MMOs can yield rewards but also leads to frustration due to the evolving nature of these games, which can dishearten long-time players. World of Warcraft exemplifies this with its fluctuating quality and controversial expansions. Titles like Final Fantasy 14 have been praised for their narratives but criticized for gameplay stagnation. The history of MMOs shows that even successful games like City of Heroes and Star Wars: Galaxies eventually fade, leaving communities in a state of uncertainty. Factors contributing to this stagnation include shareholder pressure for consistent growth, which can hinder creativity and lead to a focus on short-term profits. Despite these challenges, there is hope for the future of MMOs, as the industry is cyclical. Upcoming projects, such as Riot’s new MMO, may inspire renewed interest and community engagement. The desire for a vibrant MMO landscape and the friendships formed within these games remain strong among players.