Most Influential MMO Games

Most Influential MMO Games

• MMO games have evolved over time, influencing future titles with innovative mechanics and gameplay styles.
• MapleStory introduced microtransactions, setting a controversial trend in gaming that still persists today.
• Guild Wars 2 changed the way MMOs are played, proving that free-to-play models can be successful and long-lasting.

MMO games have had an interesting lifespan. From starting as games attempting something new to titles absolutely smashing popularity records, to the genre now only seeing occasional entries. MMO games gave rise to some of the most memorable and enjoyable moments for anyone playing them.

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Yet, as is the case with any form of media, the genre built its way up to be one of gaming’s biggest powerhouses. There are naturally MMOs that laid the foundation for future successors, influencing common notions and systems that would be found even in modern games. Due to the genre being around for so long, some titles also mirror the improvements in gaming overall, be that the introduction of a 3D style, advances in the creation of worlds, and more.

MapleStory

An Influential Game, But Not Exactly For The Right Reasons

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 29 April 2003
• Developers: Nexon, Wizet
• Genres: MMORPG

MMOs have always been a huge genre in the Asian gaming industry, with MapleStory being one notable example released originally in 2003. It might not have been as massive of a release in the West, but it was a popular game specifically in Korea.

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The controversial aspect of this game is its influence, essentially being the title that popularized microtransactions and gacha mechanics. Particularly in recent years, with games such as Genshin Impact and Azur Lane, to name a few, being some of the most popular titles in the world, MapleStory’s influence is quite clear, even if people wished such mechanics to be removed from gaming entirely.

Guild Wars 2

Popularizing Different Ways To Play An MMO

Guild Wars 2

Platform(s)PCReleasedAugust 28, 2012Developer(s)ArenaNetGenre(s)MMORPG

In the MMO industry, there might not be a series that has changed as much as Guild Wars. A good chunk of MMOs, particularly the popular ones, feature a tab-target combat system of mashing a slew of different hotbar actions. Guild Wars 2 does utilize a hotbar for activating abilities, but the combat is much more similar to League of Legends or Lost Ark, where there are only a few actions that have cooldowns instead of a global cooldown.

It also further proved that free-to-play MMOs can be popular, and can last a long life-cycle instead of relying on a subscription-based business model. Games, such as Path of Exile and Lost Ark, have once again proved that free-to-play MMOs are sustainable.

Asheron’s Call

An Early MMO Renowned For Its World

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 31 October 1999
• Developers: Turbine
• Genres: MMORPG

As MMOs involve themselves with a multiplayer online world, they usually run for years. Such was the case with Asheron’s Call, which eventually shut down in 2017 despite being one of the earliest MMOs.

The biggest influence Asheron’s Call left on the industry was its world. Players were allowed to explore a vast world with no loading screens, something common today but extremely impressive for 1999. This can be seen most obviously with World of Warcraft, which also implemented no loading screens between zones, aside from instanced areas.

RuneScape

An MMO That Did Its Own Thing

RuneScape

Platform(s)PC, iOS, AndroidReleasedJanuary 4, 2001Developer(s)JagexGenre(s)MMORPG

Among the plethora of MMO franchises, RuneScape has certainly stayed as one of the most popular. Whether it was the first game, the newer entries, or Old School RuneScape, it has stood the test of time.

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Originally, the first entry was a browser game and didn’t follow the same conventions that other MMOs did. Players were able to set their own goals and engage in an abundance of content. The game is even influential in its own sphere, with Old School RuneScape giving players the chance to access the original version years later.

Dark Age Of Camelot

A Game Focused On World PvP

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 9 October 2001
• Developers: Mythic Entertainment
• Genres: MMORPG

PvP has always been attempted in MMOs to varying degrees of success. Dark Age of Camelot is often considered one of the best MMOs to implement it.

The game isn’t wholly PvP as PvE does exist in it, but it is widely known and remembered for its player-vs-player interactions. Relating to its story, there are three realms players can join. Through this, the game focuses on realm-vs-realm gameplay, allowing for highly successful world PvP. Even World of Warcraft has attempted to try this out, perhaps most notably with the War Mode system, showing the Dark Age of Camelot’s influence.

World Of Warcraft

The Most Famous MMO

World of Warcraft

Platform(s)PCReleasedNovember 23, 2004Developer(s)BlizzardGenre(s)MMORPG

World of Warcraft took MMOs to new heights when it launched in 2004. No other MMO had reached the popularity of it before, setting a precedent that future MMOs, such as Final Fantasy 14, would follow.

WoW’s influence was clear in its world, with vast and iconic landscapes that would stand the test of time. Instanced content was another area where WoW demonstrated its influence, as many raids and dungeons are often remembered as some of the best levels in a video game.

EverQuest

Laying The Foundation For Modern MMOs

Everquest

Platform(s)PCReleasedMarch 16, 1999DeveloperDaybreak Game Company, Ubisoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, 989 StudiosGenre(s)RPG

World of Warcraft might have been the most popular MMO, but EverQuest was the game that set the standard. It employed 3D gameplay and developed the framework for future games.

The game is often repeated as feeling alive, being a title where the community aspect was done correctly. Players had to work with each other to continue the game, and that notion of community is clearly seen in modern MMOs. Yet despite its importance, the main reason WoW came out on top was simply due to refining negative features in EverQuest and adding to it. Almost all modern MMOs stem from EverQuest in one way or another, proving just how influential it was.

Ultima Online

The First True MMO

Ultima Online

Platform(s)PCReleasedSeptember 24, 1997Developer(s)Origin SystemsGenre(s)MMORPG

Ultima Online might not have started the MMO genre, but it was the game to be considered as the first true MMO. It was also the first MMO to be a huge success commercially, selling at an incredible rate and garnering much notice in the public eye.

Additionally, it was an impressive title for the time, with many systems that would become commonplace for gaming in general. It even gave rise to notable observations in MMO games, such as the notion that players will find a way to kill any creature. Just overall, Ultima Online demonstrated that MMOs could be viable and successful games for developers to create and that RPGs weren’t limited to linear designs.

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