Generally used to describe MMOs from before World of Warcraft’s launch in 2004, though sometimes shortened to describe just the first few MMOs launched prior to 2000.
classic mmo
Old School RuneScape is finally launching on Steam
Every once in a while, I'll bump into a long-running MMORPG that isn't on Steam and think, wait, what? How is that thing not...
RuneScape studio Jagex disputes RICO-tinged lawsuit over its convoluted ownership
Earlier this week, RuneScape studio Jagex announced it had been sold to a new investment company, The Carlyle Group. But then we learned another...
Massively OP Podcast Episode 306: Money makes the MMOs go ’round
Justin and Bree discuss Pantheon, the KingsIsle and Jagex buyouts, World of Warcraft, Star Trek Online, and Guild Wars 2, with adventures in WoW, LOTRO, and SWG Legends, plus mailbox topics on underwater combat and choosing between MMO subs.
RuneScape studio Jagex has been sold for the third time in six years against the backdrop of a… RICO lawsuit?
We're going to play a fun new game today. It's called Who Owns Jagex Now!
As we chronicled last summer, RuneScape studio Jagex's ownership became...
Melvor Idle is a surprise multi-platform hit based on RuneScape
How do you feel about idle games? Occasionally I'll pick one up on my phone to fiddle with for a while, but my interest...
Players of Life is Feudal MMO share their thoughts and final moments before the game’s sunset
This past December, we reported on the news that the MMO version of Life is Feudal was closing up shop on January 18th. In...
RuneScape’s newest patch improves the player-owned farm
If you have a farm in RuneScape, some animals there are probably your favorites. The latest patch allows you to specifically set some animals as...
RuneScape shares update plans for 2021 in a developer livestream
We're halfway through the month of January now, which seems as good a time as any for the devs of RuneScape to offer some...
Global Chat: Revisiting all of SOE’s game history
I'm always a sucker for a good timeline, which is why I perked up at seeing Wilhelm at Ancient Gaming Noob trace out the...
Old School RuneScape refines Soul Wars and releases Ironman versions of God Wars dungeon generals
This week in Old School RuneScape is all about Soul Wars and God Wars. More specifically, it's about making the Soul Wars content more...
Massively OP Podcast Episode 304: League of MMORPGs
Justin and Bree discuss Riot's new MMO, RuneScape, Neverwinter, Crowfall, and Path of Exile, with adventures in Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft, Torchlight II, and SWG Legends, plus mailbag topics on losing hype and legal complexity in MMOs.
RuneScape has a Celebration of Combat with various combat buffs as part of its Grand Party
As the Grand Party rolls on in RuneScape, things are getting a little bit combative. Not because anything is going wrong, but because this...
The Game Archaeologist: Free Realms
Its very name was a declaration of rebellion against the status quo. In an era that had yet to shift from a subscription-only model...
RuneScape begins its year-long 20th anniversary celebration, Old School RuneScape introduces the Soul Wars PvP minigame
RuneScape has once more kicked out its weekly newsletter and just like Jagex announced earlier in the week, it's all about the game's year-long...
RuneScape is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an entire year’s worth of events
20 years is an absolute triumph for any MMORPG to hit, and Jagex is planning on marking its 20th anniversary in a big way....
The best Massively OP community leaderboard polls, 2020 edition
We didn't do quite as many Leaderboard polls this year as in previous years, largely because... well, we've already asked a lot of the...
Leaderboard: What’s the best classic MMORPG still running at the end of 2020?
It's been a longstanding problem that end-of-the-year awards for MMORPGs aren't ideal for honoring "classic" MMOs, especially the really old games, really small games,...
MMO dev and astronaut Richard Garriott smuggled the ashes of Star Trek’s James Doohan to the ISS
While we all know very well the story of Richard Garriott's $30 million ticket on board a rocket to visit the International Space Station...
The Game Archaeologist: Seven ways EverQuest reshaped MMO history
To many veteran MMO players, the opening horns of EverQuest's score are enough to trigger vivid memories, violent hallucinations, and an unstoppable desire to...
Jukebox Heroes: Christmas MMO music to loot by!
One of the many reasons that I love Christmas is that it's like everyone gives everyone else permission to just... stop for a day....
