7 Ancient MMORPGs That People Are Still Playing

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.