7 Ancient MMORPGs That People Are Still Playing

Ever since internet connectivity made possible the inception of the genre, the addictive gameplay grind of massively multiplayer online games has dug its claws into the body of many unsuspecting gamers. Questing, looting, farming, ganking, and raiding across vast digital worlds, populated by real people; MMOs can very quickly swallow up great wedges of your spare time, turning even the most sprightly young bucks into sleep deprived, pizza eating zombies of the night. MMOs completely revolutionized the RPG scene and was really the first genre that debuted the concept of continually adding content to a foundation game. Single player RPGs offered replayability in the form of different character builds and branching narrative, but MMOs gave birth to “existing” within an online environment; one that was highly populated, constantly updated and being fleshed out with ever more detailed lore. Of course, we also have MMOs to thank for much of the verbiage that we use today in everyday conversation. Only just the other day I reminded a noobie that I pwned his ass by using a debuff, despite the fact that my favorite characters leet power up had been nerfed… Ok, maybe not everyday lingo, but you catch my drift! Perhaps the most remarkable thing about MMORPGs, however, is that, with the exception of perhaps only our favorite arcade classics, some of the longest living video games ever made in terms of their active player base belong to the genre. Online worlds just refuse to die, and in this article, we take a look at several iconic MMORPGs that are over a decade old and still being played today. 7) Asheron’s Call Turbine entertainment’s Asheron's Call is etched into MMORPG heritage and fondly remembered as one of the genre’s most important titles. Released on PC in 1999, unlike hugely popular MMORPGs such as Everquest, Asheron’s Call was among the first 3D MMORPGs to feature a fully seamless open world environment. Even after what was, for the time, a lengthy development cycle of over three years, Asheron’s Call was constantly updated throughout its lifetime. It was also among the first online RPGs to feature “world events” and narrative quests, the result of which visibly changed the landscape of the environment. Although the game spawned a popular sequel, nearly 15 years later, the original Asheron’s Call is still being played today. Unfortunately, it was announced last month that the servers would be officially shutting down on the 31st of January, so you don’t have long to hop in one last time. 6) Final Fantasy XI Square’s Final Fantasy XI was a landmark title in the iconic series, marking the first online outing and a move away from its traditional single player experience. Remember, 2002 was early-ish into the days of online RPGs on PC, let alone console, and Final Fantasy XI was, perhaps, a rather alien concept to many PlayStation and Xbox gamers. That didn’t stop it from being a landslide success across all platforms, though, and 15 years later, the game is among the oldest second generation MMORPGs that is still enjoyed by a substantial body of players. Final Fantasy XI might seem like ancient history, but nothing could be further from the truth. Believe it or not, there’s plenty of reason to jump in and play this MMORPG in 2017, with a multitude of different changes having been made to its gameplay formula. The world of Vana’diel is brimming with interesting storylines, characters, and challenging gameplay. After 14 years, Final Fantasy XI servers finally shut down for PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 in 2016, but you can play still play it on PC. 5) Anarchy Online Anarchy Online is another member of an elite few, a first generation MMORPG, circa 2001, with servers still populated by an avid player base. Set on a desert planet in the far future, Anarchy Online is a science fiction online RPG that offered a point of difference from the high fantasy setting of some rival titles such as Everquest, Ultima and Asheron’s Call. In fact, it was one of the first games to break this trend, with developer Funcom not afraid to gamble on an innovative premise - an attitude sometimes lacking in the genre today. Anarchy Online doesn’t feature a particularly deep narrative, focusing rather on the RPG systems that comprise its world. There’s no particularly involving story arcs or clever character development, as there are in titles such as Final Fantasy XI. You might say then that it's an example of a “pure” MMORPG, with the focus firmly on the “grind and loot” gameplay loop. If you haven't checked it out yet, the servers are still live and you can get involved for a mere $5 per month subscription fee. 4) World Of Warcraft You couldn’t possibly talk about MMORPGs without mentioning what is arguably considered as the Godfather of the entire genre, World of Warcraft. Released in 2004, Blizzard’s seminal title was a smash hit, quickly earning its place as the most widely played MMORPG ever made, peaking at over 12 million active players in 2010 (6 years after its initial release!). WoW’s influence has reached virtually every facet of pop-culture, referenced in television, film, and all corners of nerddom. And then there was Leeroy Jenkins. Regardless of whether you’ve dabbled in the world of Azeroth or not, you simply can’t overstate how ingrained WoW has become in video gaming legend, transforming our whole perception of the genre. WoW’s player base is still huge, with around 5 million gamers still enjoying constant updates and new content. In fact, following the franchise recent debut on the big screen, player numbers briefly spiked to double that number. If you’re looking for an online world to become totally immersed in, rich with a library of detailed lore, look no further than this now 12-year-old title. 3) Everquest Often credited with bringing MMORPGs to the western mainstream, Everquest was a hugely important title for the genre when it launched back in 1999. Much more popular than other first-generation online RPGs like Asheron’s Call, Everquest was, in fact, the most commercially successful MMORPG in the United States for five years, spawning 22 expansions and a host of spinoff games. It's also largely considered as the foundation on which World of Warcraft was built on, with Blizzard incorporating much of its blueprint for their own title. Unbelievably, just shy of twenty years later, the original Everquest still exists today and is played by a small but dedicated following. The game really is a true relic of the past, with its lack of tutorial and complicated systems showing its age. But if you’re interested, there’s still a reason to play this iconic title, if only to get a feel for the genre’s roots. 2) Eve Online High fantasy MMORPGs have certainly proven the most popular thematic setting for titles of the genre, but Eve Online has forged its own legacy with a space setting. The game's unified online galaxy setting is vast, comprised of tens of thousands of stars and planets that was, up until only a few years ago, inhabited by half a million or so people from around the world. Eve Online might be old, but its systems and mechanics are impressively deep. In-game professions such as mining, trading, and piracy tie-in with Eve Online's narrative, which is based on humanity's struggle and constant confrontation over resources and economic competition. On top of the complexities of its in-game professions and economy, players are able to purchase and upgrade a huge amount of different ship types. Unlike other MMORPGs, your skills advance passively and constantly in real-time, and there are a huge variety of upgradable skills (its intricate systems were well ahead of its time). First launched in 2003, nearly 14 years later Eve Online’s player base is now starting to decline, but there are still around 15 thousand gamers still traversing the galaxy of New Eden on a regular basis. 1) Ultima Online Ultima Online is the longest surviving MMORPG on our list. First released way back in 1997, the iconic title is a twenty-year-old veteran that continues to this day. Thanks to its Steam release and a healthy update, Kingdom Reborn, the title has managed to stay relevant despite its age. Played from an isometric, top-down perspective, the 2D high fantasy RPG has kept people entertained thanks to its emphasis on player agency and progression. There's a huge variety of things to see and do in Ultima Online, from player created civilizations and unique monsters, to the mystery its rich game-world. First and foremost, Ultima Online seems to have endured because players are compelled by the sense of presence that exists within its world. It really does offer a sort of digital online existence; a world in which you can engage with what you want when they want. If you're looking for the quintessential retro MMORPG experience, then Ultima Online is the way to go and will cost you a monthly subscription fee of $12.99.