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
RuneScape opens the ‘back-to-back bossing’ Sanctum of Rebirth dungeon
Who here likes fighting bosses in RuneScape? If you do, then this week's update is just for you, as it opens up the Sanctum...
Ultima Online previews New Legacy’s themepark stylings in its new gameplay video
I need to warn you before you click on this trailer: If you played original Ultima Online back in the day, the opening notes...
Old School RuneScape readies Deadman Armageddon and tweaks its newly returned quest
While Old School RuneScape certainly has things to note in this week's patch, what's a bigger deal to Jagex (and likely to a specific...
RuneScape renames Underworld Area Tasks and adds harder versions for players
Whether you're an aspiring Necromancer or just like wandering the realms of the dead in RuneScape, it's time to take on a bigger challenge...
Ultima Online plans beta testing of New Legacy server shortly – here’s how to add your name to the list
It's taken the better part of four (!) years for this move, but fans of Ultima Online have finally gotten a tangible step closer...
Massively Overthinking: How often do you play human MMO characters when you have other choices?
I've been thinking about this question a bit lately, partly owing to Stars Reach and partly to Project Gorgon. Playable Worlds says Stars Reach...
Raph Koster lays out the (first) four pillars of design for his sandbox MMORPG Stars Reach
I have some good news and bad news. The bad news is that Raph Koster's Stars Reach is probably a good long while away...
Vague Patch Notes: Yes, tutorials are a good thing in MMORPGs
For those of you who haven't been reading the site for a while or just don't keep this in your head, I'm going to...
RuneScape parties on The Beach and heralds the new Sanctum of Rebirth dungeon
Having a hard time getting out to an actual shoreline this summer? RuneScape offers the next best thing with its summer event on The...
Perfect Ten: 10 MMORPGs with weirdly defensive fanbases
I do not have nice things to say about RuneScape. I have never had nice things to say about RuneScape. I also do not...
The MOP Up: Elsword welcomes Lithia to its combat roster
Elsword's roster recently expanded to include the sparkplug character of Lithia: "A real 'gem' of a character and a glittering addition to the stylish...
LOTRO Legendarium: Six ideas LOTRO totally should steal from other MMOs
It's only natural for people who play multiple MMOs or are aware of what's happening in other titles to foster a sense of envy....
The Game Archaeologist: World of Warcraft in the 1990s
MMORPGs don't pop out of nowhere, ex nihilo, to suddenly be enjoyed by players across the globe. Good ones take several years, dozens of...
RuneScape’s RuneFest is saved as Jagex sets new location and dates for March 2025
Jagex's RuneScape-themed fan festival RuneFest has not had the best luck the last few years. Jagex had to cancel it back in 2020 for...
The Daily Grind: How many players constitute a proper MMORPG raid?
Back when Amazon first announced its New World Aeternum rebranding, I noticed an interesting comment about the planned raid. Longtime reader Squid opined that...
The MOP Up: League of Legends’ game modes help to refresh its theme park design
League of Legends' game director explained why the MOBA is adding a Vampire Survivors-type mode to make it more like a "theme park," saying,...
Anarchy Online gets a nod from Funcom on the occasion of its 23rd birthday
While last year saw an in-game celebration for Anarchy Online's 22nd birthday, so far there hasn't been much more than a brief acknowledgement from...
Raph Koster’s new MMORPG is called Stars Reach, and yes, it’s basically Star Wars Galaxies 2
It's June 26th, Star Wars Galaxies' 21st birthday, and I'm sitting on Google Meet talking to none other than MMORPG founding father (and SWG...
Raph Koster’s nine Playable Worlds teasers (so far) hint at the MMORPG sandbox you always wanted
As we covered earlier in the week, Raph Koster's studio Playable Worlds has been tweeting what appeared to be a countdown accompanied by a...
Massively Overthinking: Unfair stigmas that follow MMORPGs
A few weeks back, our team was discussing the intersection of survival sandboxes, MMORPG virtual worlds, and gankboxes - and how hard it is...
