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MMORPGs have been around for a long time. The true first MMO is debated, but many regard Neverwinter Nights (1991) as the first of the genre. Since this time, MMOs have gone through a lot of changes for better or for worse. Even in graphics alone, these live-service games look different.
Here, we are going to take a look at some of the biggest ways MMORPGs have changed over time. This will include both negatives and positives; we still love MMOs, but there is no denying that things naturally change and evolve. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if you like the current path that MMORPGs are taking.
7 More Mainstream
There was a time when video games weren’t as popular as they are now. If you watch any older show or movie that has a video gamer, you’ll notice that they are a bit geeky. Now, video games are extremely popular, and MMOs have really shined.
It’s more common for people to play MMOs, which is in part due to all the new ones that have popped up over time. You’ll also see MMO ads in the wild more often.
Personally, I saw a Final Fantasy 14 tram a few years ago while visiting Las Vegas.
6 More Cosmetics
Cosmetics are a great way to show off in any multiplayer game. While some amount of customization has been present in MMOs for a while, there is no denying that bright and colorful cosmetics are becoming more common.
This is only natural though, as more content is typically added to a game as it goes on. For example, in Guild Wars 2, new outfits are added to the Gem Store from time to time, giving players more ‘showy’ options to wear if they have enough gems to spend.
5 Microtransactions
Microtransactions are little purchases that you can make in any video game, but in some MMOs, they are a bit too prevalent. Sometimes, a new MMO will pop up, boasting a free-to-play model, but you’ll quickly learn that a lot of content is locked behind microtransactions.
A lot of times, these microtransactions are for cosmetic items, but this can really give you a sense of FOMO. For example, when I first played Lost Ark, I didn’t spend any real money on outfits. Most of the dropped gear looked the same, so I pretty much always looked like I was wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts.
4 Less Grindy
If you played MMOs in the early 2000s, then you know how grindy they could be. Maybe you spent a few hours slaying enemies, or maybe you ran around to gather resources. This grind was essential to a lot of MMOs.
New MMOs aren’t quite as grindy, but you’ll still encounter a grind every once in a while. In terms of classic grinding in MMOs, we immediately think of Runescape. Even if you spend all day grinding in this game, there is still more to grind through (leveling, resources, etc.).
3 Generally Better Character Creators
This applies to a lot of games, not just MMOs. As graphics get better, character creators often greatly improve. In some games, you can tweak exact facial features to make an incredibly realistic character. Gone are the days of only having a few preset options.
Don’t get us wrong though; there is something charming about limited options in a character creator. It’s always a fun experience to walk by another player who looks almost identical to you. If you want to really customize your look though, plenty of MMOs like this exist.
2 Less Social
A big aspect of MMOs is being social, but it seems that, lately, you really don’t need to interact with anyone while playing an MMO. For example, it’s possible to play Final Fantasy 14 and go through a majority of the content (dungeons included) without needing other players.
A more recent MMO is Brighter Shores (created by the same person who created Runescape), which truly lets you tune out everyone around you. There is no need to play with anyone. This contrasts with games like World of Warcraft, especially in its early days. WoW definitely has a huge sense of community.
1 Moving Away From Tab-Targeting
Imagine combat in an MMO. You typically target one enemy (selecting them by pressing ‘Tab’), and deal all of your attacks towards them. AoE attacks exist, but if it’s not an AoE, then an attack will hit just one enemy. This is a classic MMO combat system, but newer games have moved away from this.
Now, you can play MMOs like Black Desert Online, which have incredibly fluid combat. This is called action combat, and feels a bit more like fighting. Skill rotations aren’t as important; instead, you’ll rely more on reflexes, movement, and how well you can dodge.
