When gamers hear MMORPG, they will most likely think of Blizzard's World of Warcraft. After all, it's this gem of an IP that spearheaded what seems to be an MMORPG revolution. Thanks to WoW, a lot of MMOs today have a similar third-person point-and-click combat system with a myriad of classes, quests, and raid options to choose from. However, just because WoW "started" some MMO design trends doesn't mean the genre cannot grow.
In fact, some canceled MMOs attempted to introduce new concepts that could have changed the way gamers play MMOs today. Moreover, there are some upcoming contenders that, should they get their way, may even introduce yet another renaissance of MMOs with new and refreshing concepts. Just what are these games?
10 Canceled: World Of Darkness Online
Whereas Dungeons & Dragons Online takes on the fantasy flavor of D&D, World of Darkness would have taken on the TTRPG franchise's signature of conspiracy theories and supernatural allure. And it seems EVE Online devs CCP Games had a vampire-centric WoD Online MMO in development.
Had it not been canceled in 2014, WoD Online would have taken heavy inspiration from Vampire: The Masquerade. Players would not only have been able to be sired under one of many vampire clans but also participate in various world matters. Unlike usual fetch quests and raids, WoD Online could have had vampire players participate in inter-city politics and even faction conflict.
9 Upcoming: Ashes Of Creation
Intrepid Studios and its upcoming Ashes of Creation MMO teases a high fantasy world where players get to decide what happens to the world around them.
Aside from its usual fare of spells, swords, and raids, Ashes of Creation's node mechanic lets players gather resources to create structures such as tents and campfires. However, these structures can grow into houses, towns, mansions, or even castles populated by their own NPCs. If Ashes of Creation succeeds in this endeavor, MMO fans may see a comeback of the realm-versus-realm system with player-made bases and structures.
Despite being in development since 2018, Ashes of Creation doesn't have a definite release date.
8 Discontinued: The Matrix Online
Fans of the critically-acclaimed The Matrix film trilogy could finally become a part of the Resistance in The Matrix Online (MxO). With Monolith Productions taking the lead on development, MxO featured flexible cyberpunk classes such as the Operatives (Fighters), Coders (Crafters), and Hackers (Mages). Moreover, the game allowed players to fight with guns and martial arts in separate modes.
However, perhaps most impressive was that the game served as the official continuation of the film trilogy. As such, MxO also made use of live events such as live storytelling to make players feel involved in the universe. Sadly, the game had to be closed in 2009. Had it continued, MxO could have seen amazing story arcs given today's more powerful graphical processors and storytelling methods, such as augmented reality or even virtual reality.
7 Upcoming: New World
Amazon's own game studio wants to have its own take on the open-world MMO concept. With New World, players get transferred to a supernatural island in an alternate 17th Century. Instead of knights in armor and mages in robes, New World populates its universe with gun-toting mercenaries and even traders.
Amazon wants players to largely manage the world around them. As such, players will likely head bases and towns with their own social and political systems. Moreover, characters won't follow a strict class system and instead will build characters based on weapon mastery, trade skills, and core stats. With a budget from one of the biggest companies in the world, New World may create a resurgence of community-based simulation games with a more fantastical premise.
Despite having an August 2020 launch date, Amazon Game Studios moved New World's official release in 2021.
6 Canceled: Shadow Realms
Interestingly, BioWare had another game in development before Anthem. Unlike the sci-fi shooter, Shadow Realms poised itself as a four-versus-one action MMO. In the game's plot, Earth's parallel world Embra has been pulling Heroes inside of it to wage battle against the Shadowlord and its Shadow Legions.
Unlike Evolve and more straightforward one-versus-team games, Shadow Realms seemed to have more customization options for players in the form of six classes or the Shadowlord. In the game, the Shadowlord could change the environment, set traps, and control creatures. These variations could have potentially made Shadow Realms more unique than other one-versus-team titles.
While the game had a 2015 release target, Shadow Realms never saw the light of day.
5 Upcoming: Corepunk
Fans of Diablo might want to wait for Corepunk, an isometric MMO from Artificial Core that takes place in the post-apocalyptic world of Kwalat. Corepunk features MMO staples such as PvP, player housing, crafting, raids, and even dungeons.
Corepunk might be able to introduce a resurgence of the isometric MMO genre with its modern twists. Unlike confining players to a class, Corepunk will enable them to roll characters based on different stats. Moreover, unique environment designs and fog-of-war redefine combat, which becomes challenging with the game's focus on PvP. Corepunk will also have a Karma system, where too much PvP makes players have a "Criminal" status that others can hunt down.
4 Discontinued: Warhammer Online: Age Of Reckoning
Fantasy fans who want a change of pace would have loved Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (WAR). In this Warhammer MMO, Mythic Entertainment took Games Workshop's hit wargaming IP and added its signature realm-versus-realm combat system.
As Mythic's RvR system meant there was a heavy focus on PvP, Age of Reckoning was more of a niche product. However, the game did receive praise from players for its engaging combat. Despite the game's closure in 2013, fans have kept Return of Reckoning, a private server, active since 2014. This server will let curious players experience the glory that was Age of Reckoning.
3 Upcoming: Pantheon: Rise Of The Fallen
Visionary Realms' Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen lets players take on the role of a hero out to recover ancient artifacts in a world where gods coexist with mortals. Touted as a group-oriented game, Pantheon appears to lean towards the return of more community-focused events and challenges. The game looks set to have a reputation system that affects the player's overall progress.
Interestingly, fans may love Pantheon for its take on old-school MMO mechanics and adding a modern twist. As such, players with a knack for nostalgia will likely get a kick out of Pantheon while avoiding problems of the past such as janky movement and repetitive animation. Unfortunately, Pantheon has yet to be given a release date.
2 Discontinued: City Of Heroes
Thanks to Cryptic Studios, MMO players in 2005 could make their own costumed superhero in City of Heroes. In the game, players could select a powerset, improve their abilities, and even fight bosses. However, perhaps most unique about City of Heroes was the release of its sister game, City of Villains. As such, players were allowed to choose to be a superhero or supervillain within the same in-game universe.
Unfortunately, City of Heroes was discontinued in 2012. Despite other superhero MMOs, City of Heroes had the potential to craft a massively-unique superhero universe, especially thanks to the popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1 Upcoming: Fractured
Dynamight Studios plans on releasing an incredibly-unique MMO in the form of Fractured. It seems like a typical isometric MMO at first glance as it has staple MMO elements: Adventuring with friends, gathering items, and killing monsters. However, players will soon find out that resting near a campfire will enable them to tinker with over 40 unique status effects and 400 abilities.
In fact, Dynamight Studios describes the game as a MOBA that possesses an MMO's persistent world. If the game comes to fruition, this might show the community how entire genres can be combined to make a completely new and unique experience. Unfortunately, Fractured does not have a release date.