List of massively multiplayer online role-playing games

This is a selected list of massively multiplayer online role-playing games. MMORPGs are large multi-user games that take place in perpetual online worlds with a great number of other players. In most MMORPGs each player controls an avatar that interacts with other players, completes tasks to gain experience, and acquires items.

For online games in other genres, see List of massively multiplayer online games.

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Business models

MMORPGs today use a wide range of business models, from free of charge, free with microtransactions, advertise funded, to various kinds of payment plans. This list uses the following terms.

  • Free-to-play (F2P) means that there is no cost to purchase the software and there is no subscription charge. Variably applies to traditionally bought and forever available games (see Buy-to-play below). Most newer MMOs that fall under this category now includes microtransactions however, which causes them to overlap with the Freemium model.
  • Freemium means that the majority or all of the game's content is available for free but players can pay for extra content, character customization, added perks or faster advancement into the game via microtransactions.
  • Buy-to-play (B2P) means that the MMO can only be played by purchasing the game, but there is no subsequent subscription fee for playing the game. These games may or may not include additional microtransactions, or may sell additional content in the form of expansions instead of asking for an ongoing subscription fee.
  • Pay-to-play (P2P) means that the MMO requires a monthly subscription fee or other ongoing fee in order to continue playing the game. It may also require an up-front purchase of the game in addition to the monthly subscription fee, though many of these up-front purchases include a month of game time. This was once the most common way for MMOs to finance themselves, but has fallen out of favor in recent years as an increasing number of games have switched to other business models due to difficulty in retaining a stable playerbase.

List of MMORPGs
TitleStatusGraphicsSettingSubscription modelInitial release dateDiscontinued date DistributionNotes
The 4th Coming2D (isometric)FantasyBuy-to-play1999 Now known as T4C v2
Ace Online3DScience fictionFree-to-play2006
AdventureQuest Worlds2DMedieval fantasyFreemium2008 Browser-based
The Aetherlight: Chronicles of the Resistance 3D Steampunk Buy-to-play 2016
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures3DFantasyFree-to-play2008 This game features a combo based combat system.
Age of Wulin3DMartial Arts, Wuxia (fantasy)Freemium2013
AIKA Online3DMedieval fantasyFree-to-play2009
Aion: The Tower of EternityActive 3DFantasyFree-to-play2008
Albion OnlineActive 3DMedieval fantasyFree-to-play with optional subscription model2017 Steam
Allods OnlineActive 3DFantasyFreemium2010 Steam
Anarchy OnlineActive 3DScience fictionFreemium2001
Angel Love Online2DFantasyFreemium2006 Downloadable client (Windows only). Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 3
ArcheAgeActive 3DFantasyFreemium2013 Open-sandbox player built world, large-scale crafting interactions (building own ship to sail with, etc.)
Ashen Empires2D (isometric)FantasyFreemium2002 Housing, Guilds, 3 Expansions, Downloadable client (Windows only)
Asheron's Call3DFantasyPay-to-play19992017-01-31[1] Has player housing
Asheron's Call 23DFantasyPay-to-play20022005-12-30, 2017-01-31[2]
Atlantica Online3DFantasyFree-to-play2008 Turn-based strategy
Aura KingdomActive 3DFantasyFree-to-play2014
Battle of the ImmortalsClosed3DFantasyFree-to-play20102018-01-08 Battle of the Immortals features an expansive pet system, a mount upgrade system, and six playable classes..
Battlestar Galactica Online3DScience fictionFree-to-play20112019-02-01 Browser-based, Battlestar Galactica license
Black Desert OnlineActive 3DMedieval fantasyFreemium (Asia), Buy-to-play (EU/NA)2015 SteamActive, open-sandbox player built world - Manual aim action combat
Blade & SoulActive 3DFantasy, martial artsFreemium2012 Manual aim action combat (within melee/short ranged combat)
Cabal Online3DFantasyFree-to-play2005
Camelot UnchainedDevelopment3DFantasy, Mythology (Arthurian)(Celtic)(Norse)Pay-to-play2020
Champions OnlineActive 3DSuperheroesFreemium2009
City of Heroes3DSuperheroesFreemium2004-04-272012-11-30 Formerly pay-to-play
City of Villains3DSuperheroesFreemium2005-10-312012-11-30
Clan Lord2DFantasyPay for account; free-to-play1998 Downloadable client for Windows & Mac
Clone Wars Adventures3DSci-fiFree-to-play2010-09-152014-03-31
Dark Age of CamelotActive3DMythology (Arthurian)Pay-to-play; Free-to-play (2019)[3]2001
Dark Ages2DMythology (Celtic)Pay for account; free-to-play1999
Dark and Light3DFantasyPay-to-play20062008
Darkeden2DHorrorFreemium20022013
DarkfallClosed3DFantasyPay-to-play20092012-11-15 Independent development continues as Darkfall: New Dawn and Rise of Agon.
Darkfall Unholy WarsClosed 3DMedieval fantasyPay-to-play20132016-05-28
DarkSpaceActive3DScience fictionFree-to-play2001 Open source
DC Universe Online3DSuperheroesFreemium2011 Base game is free-to-play with restrictions
Dead Frontier3DHorrorFreemium2008 Pay for extras, Browser-based
Defiance3DPost-apocalypticFree-to-play2013 Tie-in to the Syfy show of the same name
Digimon Battle OnlineActive 3DFantasyFreemium20022013 in the west, still running in South Korea
Digimon MastersActive 3DFantasyFreemium2009 Steam
Dofus2D (isometric)FantasyFreemium2004 Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Tactical combat
Dragon Ball Online3DFantasyFree-to-play2010 Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Tactical combat
Dragon NestActive 3DFantasyFreemium2010 Manual aim action combat
Dragon Oath3DMythology (Chinese)Free-to-play2007 Based on the novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Jin Yong
Dragon Quest X3DFantasyPay-to-play2012 Multiplatform: Wii, Wii U
DragonicaActive3DFantasyFreemium2009Free to Play Re-branded as "Dragon Saga" in 2010.
Dragon's Prophet3DFantasyFree-to-play20132015 in the US, still running in Europe Capture, train and ride dragons, fight with them
Drakensang Online3DFantasyFreemium2012 Uses downloadable client and launcher
Dungeons & Dragons OnlineActive 3DFantasyFreemium2006 SteamD&D 3.5 Edition ruleset
Dynasty Warriors Online3DHistorical fantasy (China), martial artsFree-to-play2006 Hack and slash
Earth and Beyond3DScience fictionPay-to-play2002-09-242004-09-22 Space vehicle piloting, trading, leveling
Echo of Soul3DFantasyFree-to-play2013
The Elder Scrolls OnlineActive 3DMedieval fantasyBuy-to-play with optional subscription model2014 SteamManual aim action combat. Formerly a subscription based, but changed to buy-to-play on March 17, 2015.
ElswordActive2D (isometric)FantasyFree-to-play2007 Potential sequel to GC
Emil Chronicle Online3DFantasyFreemium20052010
Empire of Sports3DModern sportsFree-to-play2008April 2016 Sports-based
Empire & State2DScience fictionFree-to-play2011 Browser-based political strategy MMORPG
Entropia Universe3DScience fictionFree-to-play2003
Eternal Lands3DFantasyFreemium2003 Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux)
EVE OnlineActive3DScience fictionFreemium2003 SteamSpace vehicle piloting, trading, and business management
EverQuestActive3DFantasyFreemium1999 SteamFormerly pay-to-play
EverQuest IIActive3DFantasyFreemium2004 SteamSequel to EverQuest
EverQuest NextCancelled3DFantasy Active, open world, Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 4. Cancelled as of 2016
Face of Mankind3DScience fictionFreemium20092015-09-03
Fallen Earth3DPost-apocalypticFreemium20092019-10-14
FantageClosed2DFantasyFreemium20082018-06-30 Browser-based
Fantasy Earth ZeroClosed3DFantasyFree-to-play20062013 50vs50 PvP-oriented gameplay
Fantasy Westward Journey2DFantasy (Chinese)Free-to-play2004 Inspired by Journey to the West
Fiesta Online3DFantasyFree-to-play2007
Final Fantasy XIActive3DFantasyPay-to-play2002 Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 2, Xbox 360
Final Fantasy XIV (original)Closed3DFantasyPay-to-play20102012-11-11
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm RebornActive3DFantasyPay-to-play2013 SteamRelaunch of Final Fantasy XIV. Now known as Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers with latest expansion. Multiplatform: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
FirefallClosed3DScience fictionFree-to-play20142017-07-07 First-person/third-person shooter
FlyffActive3DFantasyFreemium2005
Fragoria3DFantasyFreemium2011 Browser-based
Free RealmsClosed3DFantasyFree-to-play2009-04-282014-03-31
Gekkeiju Online3DMedieval fantasyFree-to-play2003 Anime-based. New version in 2010 with ""Occulus Rift"" support
GodsWar Online3DMythology (Greek)Free-to-play2009
Granado Espada3DHistorical fantasy (Age of Exploration)Pay-to-play2007
Grand ChaseClosed2DFantasyFree-to-play20032015-04-15 Client download required
Guild WarsActive3DFantasyBuy-to-Play2005 Steam
Guild Wars 2Active3DFantasyFree-to-play / Buy-to-play2012 LauncherOpen world, fantasy, instances, Manual aim action combat (guided, optional); became free to play, 2 extensions, Sequel to Guild Wars
Hello Kitty OnlineClosed3DCartoonFree-to-play20092017 Client download required.
Hero Online3DMythology (Chinese)Free-to-play2006
Identity 3D Fantasy N/A N/A
IllyriadActive2DFantasyFree-to-play2011 Browser Based
Infantry Online2DScience FictionFree-to-play1999
Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted3DFantasyFree-to-play / Pay-to-play2003 Name changed from Horizons
Jade Dynasty3DFantasy, martial artsFreemium2008 Latest expansion in 2013
Kal Online3DFantasyFreemium2004
Knight OnlineActive3DFantasyFree-to-play2004 Steam
LaTale2D (side-scrolling)FantasyFreemium20092010
The Legend of Ares3DFantasyFree-to-play20072009-05
The Legend of Mir 22D (sprite-based)FantasyFree-to-play2001
The Legend of Mir 32D (sprite-based)FantasyPay-to-play2004 Sequel to The Legend of Mir 2
LineageClosed 2D (sprite-based)FantasyPay-to-play19982011 North American servers shut down on June 29, 2011.
Lineage IIActive3DFantasyFreemium2003 Sequel to Lineage, formerly pay-to-play until the 2011 expansion
Lineage IIIDevelopment 3DFantasyTBA Sequel to Lineage II
Little Space Heroes2DKidsFreemium20112015
The Lord of the Rings OnlineActive3DFantasyFreemium2007 Steam
Love3DFantasyFree-to-play2010 Builder
MabinogiActive 3DFantasy, mythology (Welsh)Free-to-play2004 Steam
MapleStoryActive2D (side-scrolling)FantasyFree-to-play2003
MapleStory 2 Active 3D Fantasy Free-to-play 2015 2020-05-27 (EU/NA/SEA/OCE) Sequel to MapleStory - servers still active in South Korea and China as of 05-27-2020.
Marvel Heroes3DSuperheroesFree-to-play20132017-11-27
Matrix Online3DScience fictionPay-to-play2005-03-222009-07-31
Meridian 593DFantasyFree-to-play1995 Formerly pay-to-play
Metin 23DFantasyFreemium2004
Minions of Mirth3DFantasyFreemium2005
MonsterMMORPG2DFantasyFree-to-play2009 Browser-based
Mortal OnlineActive3DFantasyFree-to-play2010 SteamFormerly pay-to-play
MU OnlineActive3DMedieval fantasyFree-to-play2003
Myst Online3DAncient FantasyFree-to-play2007 Open source; formerly pay-to-play
Mythos3DFantasyFree-to-play20112014-01-22
Neocron3DCyberpunkFree-to-play2002 FPS-style gameplay, second installment run by the game's community
NeverwinterActive3DFantasyFreemium2013 SteamManual aim action combat
New WorldDevelopment3DFantasyBuy-To-PlayAugust 2020
Nexus: The Kingdom of the Winds2D (sprite-based; overhead)Mythology (Korean)Pay-to-play1996
OmertaActiveTextMafiaFree-to-play2003 Mafia-themed, browser-based MMORPG
Order and Chaos OnlineActive3DFantasyFree-to-play2011
Order & Chaos 2: RedemptionActive3DFantasyFree-to-play2015
Pantheon: Rise of the FallenDevelopment3DFantasy Spiritual successor to the original EverQuest
Parallel Kingdom3DFantasyFreemium2008
Pardus2DScience fictionFree-to-play2004 Browser-based, space war and trading game
Perfect WorldActive 3DFantasy (Chinese)Freemium2005 Latest expansion in 2018
Perpetuum[4][5]Closed 3DScience fictionBuy-to-play2010 Persistent sandbox MMORPG. Formerly a subscription[6]
Phantasy Star OnlineClosed3DScience FictionBuy-to-play20002010-12-27
Phantasy Star Online 2Active3DScience FictionFreemium2012
Phoenix Dynasty OnlineClosed 2DFantasyFree-to-play20072010-12-08
Pirate101Active3DFantasy, kidsFreemium2012 Pirate game, kid-safe chat
Pirates of the Burning Sea3DHistorical (maritime)Free-to-play2008
Pirates of the Caribbean OnlineClosed 3DAdventureFree-to-play20072013-09-01
PlaneShift3DFantasyFree-to-play2000 Open source
PoptropicaActive 2D (side-scrolling)Cartoon, kidsFreemium2007 Browser-based, no downloadable client required
Priston Tale3DFantasyFreemium2001
Priston Tale 23DFantasyFreemium20082013
Puppet Guardian2D (isometric; adventure)FantasyFree-to-play2007
Puzzle Pirates2DFantasyFree-to-play2003
Ragnarok OnlineActive2D/3D[7]Fantasy, mythology (Norse/mixed)Freemium/Pay-to-play (Depending on the server)2002 Steam
Ragnarok Online 2Active3DFantasyFree-to-play2012 SteamSequel to Ragnarok Online
Ran Online3DCampus fantasyFreemium2004
Realm of the Mad GodActive2DFantasyFree-to-play2011 SteamBrowser-based
The Realm Online2D (sprite-based)FantasyPay-to-play1996
Red Stone2DFantasyFree-to-play2004
Regnum Online3DMedieval fantasyFreemium2007
Requiem: Memento Mori3DDark fantasyFree-to-play2008
RF Online3DScience fictionPay-to-play2006
RiftActive3DFantasyFree-to-play2011 SteamFormerly pay-to-play
Rohan: Blood Feud3DFantasyFreemium2008
ROSE Online3DFantasyFreemium2005
Rubies of Eventide3DMedieval fantasyFree-to-play20032009
Runes of Magic3DMedieval fantasyFreemium2009
RuneScapeActive3DMedieval fantasyFreemium with subscription model2001 StandaloneBrowser-based, Java and HTML 5. Optional membership will unlock more skills and quests. Currently 2 separate games, RuneScape 3 ("current" game) and Oldschool RuneScape (game as it was circa 2007).
Rusty Hearts3DFantasyFree-to-play20112014 Hack and slash
RyzomActive3DScience fantasyFreemium2004 SteamFree-to-play (up to level 125), pay-to-play (to max level). Open source
SalemActive3DHistorical (17th century) fantasyFree-to-play2012 Standalone
Crafting-based
Sangokushi Online3DHistorical (Chinese)Pay-to-play20082010-07-19 Part of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series by Koei
Scions of Fate or Yulgang3DFantasyFree-to-play2005
Seal Online3DFantasyFreemium2003
The Secret World3DModernBuy-to-play2012 SteamFormerly pay-to-play
Shadowbane3DFantasyPay-to-play2003-03-252009-07-01 Switched to "free-to-play" in March 15, 2006, supported by ads
Shin Megami Tensei: ImagineClosed3DFantasyFree-to-play20072016-05-24
Shot-Online3DSports (golf)Freemium2004
Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues3DFantasyBuy-to-play2018 Spiritual successor to the Ultima series
Silkroad OnlineActive3DFantasyFree-to-play2005
SkyforgeActive3DFantasy (Mythic/Sci-fi)Freemium2015 Russian-based developers. Manual aim action combat
Soul of the Ultimate NationClosed3DFantasyPay-to-play20072013-07-03
Spiral KnightsActive3DFantasyFreemium2009 Java
StarQuest OnlineClosed3DScience fictionFree-to-play20072014 Downloadable client (Windows)
Star Trek OnlineActive3DScience fictionFreemium2010 Switched to "free-to-play" on January 17, 2012
Star Wars GalaxiesClosed3DScience fictionPay-to-play2003-06-262011-12-15 The first Star Wars MMORPG used a "sandbox" approach with a totally player-driven economy
Star Wars: The Old RepublicActive3DScience fictionFreemium2011 StandaloneSpiritual sequel of 2003's Game of the year Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, formerly pay-to-play
Stellar DawnDevelopment paused3DScience fiction Development started back in 2006 as Mechscape, which was scrapped in 2009. In 2010 Stellar Dawn was announced, though in March 2012 the development was paused so the developer, Jagex, could focus on their other games.
Tabula RasaClosed3DScience FictionPay-to-play20072009
A Tale in the DesertActive3DMythology (Egyptian)Pay-to-play2003 StandaloneNon-combat-oriented RPG
Tales of PiratesClosed3DFantasy (Maritime)Free-to-play20072016-29-02 During 2010 server data was transferred to a revamped client called Tales of Pirates II
TERA: RisingActive3DFantasyFreemium2011 SteamManual aim action combat (True Action combat)
Terra3DScience fictionFree-to-play1996
TibiaActive2D (sprite-based; overhead)FantasyFree-to-play1997 Downloadable client (Windows, Linux).
Toontown OnlineClosed3DFantasy, CartoonFreemium20032013-09-19 MMORPG designed for families to play, mostly targeted towards children.
Toontown Rewritten Active 3D Fantasy, Cartoon Free-to-play 2014 Standalone MMORPG designed for families to play, mostly targeted towards children. Fan-made revival of Toontown Online, created using publicly available downloads and information made freely available to the general public.
TroveActive3DFantasy, CartoonFreemium2013
Twelve Sky3DFantasyFree-to-play2007
Twelve Sky 23DFantasyFree-to-play2008
Ultima OnlineActive2D/3DMedieval fantasySubscription1997

The term MMORPG was first coined by Ultima Online creator Richard Garriott in 1997.[8]

Uncharted Waters Online3DHistorical (maritime)Free-to-play (on international server)2005
Underlight3DFantasy (Dream)Free-to-play1998 Original servers were shut down in December 2006. Re-launched in September 2014 by KoiWare.
Vanguard: Saga of HeroesClosed3DFantasyPay-to-play2007-01-302014-07-31
Vendetta Online3DScience fictionPay-to-play2004 Space vehicle piloting and twitch-based interface
VindictusActive3DFantasy (Celtic)Free-to-play2010 SteamManual aim action combat
Voyage Century Online3DHistorical (maritime)Free-to-play2006
Wakfu2D (isometric)FantasyFreemium2012 Downloadable client (Windows, Mac, Linux). Tactical combat.
Warhammer Online: Age of ReckoningClosed3DFantasyFreemium20082013-12-18
WildStarClosed3DFantasy, Science fictionFree-to-play20142018-11-28 Manual aim action combat (telegraphed). Became Free-to-play on September 29, 2015
With Your Destiny3DFantasy (Scandinavian)Free-to-play2003
Wizard101Active3DFantasy, kidsFreemium2008 Wizard game with cards, kid-safe chat
Wizardry Online3DFantasyFreemium20132014 Based on Wizardry series
WonderKing Online2D (side-scrolling)FantasyFree-to-play2006
Wonderland OnlineClosed2D (special)FantasyFree-to-play2008-04-092019-01-15 Anime/Manga based
World of the Living Dead2DSurvival StrategyFree-to-play20142014 Map-Based Survival Game with PvP, Factions, Customization, Upgrades & Crafting. Defunct 2014
World of WarcraftActive3DFantasyPay-to-play2004 LauncherFree-to-play until level 20
Wurm OnlineActive3DMedieval fantasyFreemium2006 Sandbox game with hundreds of skills, multiple kingdoms, and a deep crafting system.
Xsyon3DApocalyptic FantasyBuy-to-play[9][10]2011 Apocalyptic Fantasy Sandbox MMORPG - Currently in the Prelude phase.
Zhengtu2DMythology (Chinese)Freemium2008

See also

Notes
  1. Bree Royce (20 December 2016). "ASHERON'S CALL AND ITS SEQUEL WILL SUNSET AS PART OF THE TURBINE/STANDING STONE SPLIT". Massively Overpowered. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  2. Bree Royce (20 December 2016). "ASHERON'S CALL AND ITS SEQUEL WILL SUNSET AS PART OF THE TURBINE/STANDING STONE SPLIT". Massively Overpowered. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  3. "DAoC: Endless Conquest". DAoC: Endless Conquest.
  4. Rossignol, Jim (2010-06-02). "Interview: Perpetuum Online". Rockpapershotgun.com. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  5. Brendan Drain (2011-06-26). "Perpetuum receives influx of EVE players". Massively.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-30. Retrieved 2011-07-01.
  6. "Perpetuum Developer Blog: The end of subscriptions, the start of something new". blog.perpetuum-online.com. 2014-03-16. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
  7. 3D environment with 2D sprites
  8. Safko, Ron; Brake, David (2009). The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success. Wiley. ISBN 0-470-41155-4. Richard Garriott first coined the term MMORPG in 1997.
  9. http://www.xsyon.com/entry.php/186-Xsyon-MMORPG-Drops-Subscriptions!
  10. http://mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/514/view/news/read/37662/Xsyon-Subscription-Drops-as-New-B2P-Option-Goes-Live.html
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