OK folks: We’re in the thick of summer now, a summer that’s seen an endless parade of MMO launches, mobile ports, expansions, classic servers, console ports, progression servers, major updates, and still some big launches left in the year. The big question is this: Did any of it actually capture your attention? Or did you keep on playing exactly what you were already playing, regardless of all the new shinies?
That’s what I want to know from our writers and readers in this week’s Massively Overthinking. Which of the summer MMO launches captured your time and attention? What about it – or them – pulled you away from the MMOs you were playing before the summer deluge? And if none of them captured your heart or convinced you to open your wallets, which MMO did you keep right on playing? What does it have that the new goodies don’t?
​Andrew Ross (@dengarsw): I haven’t been loyal to any traditional MMO for awhile now, as Pokemon GO scratches that itch while also getting me outside with real people (and animals). However, Crowfall’s plethora of fantasy races with interesting bonuses grabbed my attention, and I’ve always been big on gathering materials for guilds in PvP games, especially when land ownership is at stake. No joke, I’m really looking forward to trying group-gathering!
It also, weirdly, got me to revisit Istaria/Horizons. If I had more time and wanted to play a game for me rather than play something with my local friends/meet new local people, I’d probably jump back in if Crowfall doesn’t work out. Plenty of land to get and tons of resources to dump into housing, meaning I could sink hours into the game if I really wanted to. Plus, I apparently have a rare and desirable cooking recipe, so I could rebuild the riches I lost on my previous house.
Ben Griggs (@braxwolf): I was looking forward to two big updates this summer: Elder Scrolls Online Blackwood and Elite Dangerous Odyssey. Interestingly enough, while Odyssey has been a bit underwhelming, I have been pleasantly surprised by the ESO chapter. You can tell that while ZeniMax was thrown for a loop last year with the new work-from-home culture, it’s successfully adjusted to it this year by delivering one of the better ESO updates in recent memory.
Brianna Royce (@nbrianna, blog): Albion Online’s mobile launch got me, though I quickly abandoned mobile for PC. I don’t know how long I’ll stay, though. I love the combat, the crafting, and the character development, but I’m not sure I have the time for the guild I’ll need to join to not die constantly in the red zones, so I’m kind of in limbo in yellow world right now.
I backed Crowfall way back when, and while earlier this summer I was a bit mopey about it, Andrew’s enthusiasm for its crafting has me intrigued again. Plus it already has my money. Another game that already has my money: Book of Travels. I’m not sure whether I’ll dive in when early access hits, though. I’m not a huge fan of early access messes. But again, since I already paid for it, I may as well.
I will probably give New World a go, but I really didn’t enjoy my dungeon preview – maybe the PvP will grab me instead. Honestly, if I clear my mind, I kind of want to play LOTRO again. Why, self. Either way, I’m not sorry we have all these choices!
Chris Neal (@wolfyseyes, blog):Â I have to admit, none of the summer’s big launches really diverted me too much, though I will admit that Crowfall has me curious. In fact, by the time you’re reading this, you’ll be able to watch my experience from our Twitch channel!
The only other game that is kind of on my radar is New World, but it’s going to take a lot to jar me from my comfortable titles if I’m honest.
Justin Olivetti (@Sypster, blog): WoW Classic Burning Crusade certainly has a lot of my attention, and I fully anticipate August to be very busy for me with Book of Travels’ early access and New World’s launch. It’s an exciting time to be an MMO gamer — perhaps too exciting!
Sam Kash (@thesamkash): Since Crowfall announced its official launch date, that’s all I’ve been waiting for. I’ve been in a bit if a lull MMO-wise, so this was exciting. In that way it didn’t really disrupt any MMO but it is taking the forefront.
Although I haven’t been playing Guild Wars 2 much, the thought of an expansion on the horizon did at least have me considering going back in there and catching up on the story. Then the delay was announced and that has thrown quite the wet blanket over those thoughts. So for now I’ll be happy to have Crowfall on the nightly.
Every week, join the Massively OP staff for Massively Overthinking column, a multi-writer roundtable in which we discuss the MMO industry topics du jour – and then invite you to join the fray in the comments. Overthinking it is literally the whole point. Your turn!
