Highlights
- MMORPGs are experiencing a resurgence, with a wide range of upcoming titles to suit different audiences, including ambitious projects and niche games.
- Gamers can expect delays in the release of some highly anticipated MMORPGs, such as Throne And Liberty and Dune: Awakening, with potential release dates pushed into 2023 or even 2024.
- The upcoming MMORPGs, such as Ashes Of Creation, Blue Protocol, and Corepunk, offer unique features and gameplay mechanics that promise an immersive and dynamic experience for players.
The MMORPG genre has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, with an unprecedented number of games being released. From expansive open-world experiences to intimate indie titles, there is something for every type of gamer in the world of MMOs. With recent updates and announcements from developers and publishers, some truly exciting upcoming MMORPGs are on the horizon that has piqued gamers' interest everywhere.
2023 is going to be an exciting year for MMORPGs, with a range of titles to suit different audiences. From ambitious projects to those catering to a niche market, there's something for everyone to enjoy. With so many options, there's bound to be something to fit every gamer's needs. Nevertheless, gamers should keep in mind that delays do happen, and not all games on this list may be released as early as 2023.
Updated August 11th, 2023: This List has been updated to include a video version of the article. The Video version details every entry in the piece, showing off each game for readers who have never seen the gameplay in action.
10 Throne And Liberty
- Developer: NCSOFT
- Publisher: NCSOFT
- Release date: Q3 (?) 2023
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
It was originally intended to be part of the Lineage series and a direct sequel to the first Lineage game; however, it was re-purposed and restructured in the midst of its development. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the game is its dynamic weather and day cycle, which is expected to drastically alter the player experience. For instance, strong winds can cause arrows to veer off course, while rain can increase the potency of thunder attacks. Furthermore, there are numerous other unique interactions between the elements and the environment that have been teased by the developers, and it looks very promising.
In a recent Director Preview stream, Throne and Liberty was revealed to be an immersive living world with dungeons that dynamically change based on various criteria, with a "Free Class" system that allows players to choose their desired roles, and a multitude of other robust features. It appears that the game has the potential to provide a truly dynamic and immersive experience. Despite the numerous setbacks in development, gamers are still hoping that the highly anticipated MMORPG will be released in 2023. With no additional news regarding its definite release date, it is believed that the game's launch will be further postponed into the third quarter of this year.
9 Dune: Awakening
- Developer: Funcom, Nukklear GmbH
- Publisher: Funcom
- Release date: TBA, late 2023 or early 2024
- Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Dune: Awakening is an anticipated open-world survival MMORPG, which has been generating a lot of buzz since the recent Dune movie release. This time, where gamers will get to experience Arrakis in a multiplayer setting. The franchise has experienced numerous video game iterations in the past and is now poised to enter the MMORPG realm. As Dune's lore is incredibly deep, players are eager to see how the factions and politics of the world will be brought to life within an MMORPG setting, and what kind of impact this will have on the gameplay.
Many aspects of the game remain a mystery, including its gameplay and story, though it is unlikely that it will follow the main storyline of Dune. Due to the unknown, the expected release of Dune: Awakening is in late 2023 and maybe even pushed into 2024, as the announcement of the game was in just Q3 2022 and the pre-alpha teaser in December 2022.
8 Ark 2
- Developers: Studio Wildcard, Grove Street Games
- Publisher: Studio Wildcard
- Release date: delayed to 2024
- Platforms: Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
ARK: Survival Evolved has been a great experience for gamers around the world, so it's no wonder why the highly anticipated sequel, ARK 2, has been so eagerly awaited. Despite its announcement at The Game Awards in 2020, Studio Wildcard has pushed the release date of ARK 2 back to 2023, which is understandable given all the setbacks caused by the pandemic. The sequel has been completely reimagined and redesigned based on the first ARK title, while still retaining its Souls-like combat system. The highly anticipated ARK 2 has recently faced another setback as the announcement confirms a delay in its release date, pushing it into 2024. This news implies that eager players will have to exercise patience and wait even longer to experience the game.
It is truly exciting to see the MMO elements added to the game, and the potential of cross-platform modding is something to look forward to. With world events, character progression, sensory-based animal AI and the addition of Vin Diesel as one of the heroes, players will have the opportunity to work together to become even stronger, have fun and learn more about this mysterious land.
7 Palia
- Developer: Singularity 6, Inc.
- Publisher: Singularity 6 Corporation
- Release date: 2023
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Palia stands apart from other MMORPGs due to its unique approach to gameplay, which focuses more heavily on building a community through cozy activities such as foraging, fishing, farming, and housing instead of a combat system. For those looking for an experience similar to Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, Palia might be an ideal choice.
Having a cozy MMORPG can be a great way for many casual gamers to connect with each other and explore the world together. Players are hoping that the game will offer some exciting challenges and captivating content to keep them engaged and entertained for a long time. This is especially important for MMORPGs, as they can quickly become stagnant after a certain point.
6 ArcheAge 2
- Developer: XLGAMES
- Publisher: Kakao Games
- Release date: Early 2024
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S
ArcheAge 2 is an ambitious open-world Action MMORPG that follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, the widely-acclaimed ArcheAge, which first launched in Korea back in 2013. ArcheAge was truly revolutionary in its approach to MMORPGs, providing players with a true sandbox experience, allowing them to explore the world, engage in trading, farming, housing, shipbuilding, and treasure hunting, and create their own custom classes by combining different skills.
With the announcement of ArcheAge 2, players are sure to be ecstatic to experience the captivating and immersive world of the game which builds on the success of its predecessor. ArcheAge 2 promises to deliver an action-packed combat system, an immersive storyline, AAA-tier visuals, a sandbox open-world experience, an improved Trade Run System, enhanced player housing and customization, and the ability to create player towns with your guild. All of these features are sure to make ArcheAge 2 a game to look forward to.
5 Ashes Of Creation
- Developer: Intrepid Studios
- Publisher: Intrepid Studios
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Ashes of Creation is an eagerly awaited MMORPG set in a world of high fantasy, where the choices of players will be integral to shaping and defining the surrounding environment. While the Alpha 1 test began in 2020, no official date has been set for its release. Currently, the game is undergoing intermittent spot-testing sessions with their Alpha 1 testers. However, anticipation among players is high, and most believe the game will launch in late 2023 or 2024.
While the game retains the elements of classic MMORPGs with large-scale wars, boss raids, and guilds, it is even more exciting that it incorporates modern game elements such as those from the Ark series, which involve dynamically evolving environments. This bold move to create a dynamic world promises to give players an entirely fresh and new experience, and hopefully, the concept is brought to life seamlessly.
4 Blue Protocol
- Developer: Bandai Namco Studios
- Publisher: Bandai Namco Holdings, Amazon Game Studios
- Release date: Second half of 2023
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Blue Protocol has been highly anticipated by MMORPG gamers for quite some time now. After its successful early release in Japan in 2022, Bandai Namco has finally taken the plunge into the genre, partnering with Amazon Games. The stunning, cel-shaded graphics of the upcoming game entice players to immerse themselves in an anime-like world reminiscent of the Tales or Ni No Kuni franchises. When the recent trailer for the game was released at The Game Awards 2022, fans were even more hyped. It looks like a Monster Hunter-style game, but with a distinct anime flair.
The game boasts an array of unique and captivating classes, and the art style is certainly appealing. Players can expect to find interesting combat featuring never-before-seen classes when they play Bandai Namco's game. At launch, four classes will be available, and Bandai Namco is actively working to deliver a global release with future updates to the gameplay.
3 Chrono Odyssey
- Developer: Npixel, Gameplex Co., Ltd.
- Publisher: Npixel
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
Chrono Odyssey is an upcoming MMORPG developed by NPIXEL, a South Korean video game development company. The game has generated a lot of excitement among the gaming community due to its unique storyline, stunning graphics, and innovative gameplay mechanics. It offers a vast exploration to discover the mysteries of its world, Setera, which has different aspects due to being affected by the space-time warps it is experiencing.
Outside of the aforementioned information, specific details about Chrono Odyssey remain relatively scarce. This includes details about the available classes and the game's release date. However, the passionate and curious player community is eagerly anticipating the release of additional information in the near future.
2 Odin: Valhalla Rising
- Developer: Lionheart Studio
- Publisher: Kakao Games
- Release date: Late 2023
- Platforms: Android, Microsoft Windows
Odin: Valhalla Rising is an upcoming MMORPG developed by Lionheart Studio and published by Kakao Games. Based on Norse mythology, the game aims to provide players with an immersive experience set in the Viking era, where they can explore the realms of Midgard, Niflheim, Alfheim, and Jotunheim. In Odin: Valhalla Rising, players become legendary Norse heroes, engaging in epic battles against mythical creatures. The game features a vast open world with diverse landscapes, stunning graphics, and attention to detail. A significant aspect of the game is its deep customization system, enabling players to create unique characters with various classes and visual options. Each class offers distinct play styles and abilities, allowing customization to suit preferred combat strategies.
Odin: Valhalla Rising is currently in development, with an estimated launch in late 2023 according to their website. Players eagerly await the chance to embark on this visually captivating and immersive Viking adventure.
1 Corepunk
- Developer: Artificial Core
- Publisher: Artificial Core
- Release date: TBA
- Platforms: Microsoft Windows
Corepunk is a highly anticipated and unique MMORPG that stands out for its implementation of a fog-of-war system in a seamless open world. Developed by Artificial Core, the game aims to provide players with an immersive and dynamic experience as they explore its vast and visually stunning environment. One of the standout features of Corepunk is its fog-of-war mechanic. This means that parts of the game world are initially hidden from players, requiring them to actively explore and uncover new areas as they progress. This adds an element of discovery and adventure, as players never know what they may encounter beyond the fog. It also encourages exploration and strategic decision-making, as players must navigate through unknown territories, encounter new challenges, and uncover hidden treasures.
Exciting news for eager players is that beta sign-ups for Corepunk have already started, signaling that the game is progressing towards its highly anticipated testing phase. While an exact beta release date has not been announced, it is expected to take place in 2023.