Pre-E3: MMO roundup [update 6]
Massively multiplayer online games, known by a series of acronyms beginning with MMO, are a rising trend among developers. With monthly fees meaning regular income, and a player base too addicted to stop, developers trip over themselves to enter this lucrative market.
We can guarantee we'll be seeing a lot of MMOs at E3, so that's why we're bringing you this comprehensive overview of every MMO we currently know to be in development -- excluding expansions of existing MMOs. Here's a quick summary of the trends that we see emerging from this list:
East meets West. Ten out of the thirty-five games listed are Korean MMOs hoping to make it in America and Europe, with several companies banking on the success of such a translation.
Elves and Orcs. Despite a number of fantasy-themed MMOs, there are several under development that have no sign of the fantastic about them -- instead, we see themes from sci-fi to pirates.
Microtransactions. Pay for currency, don't pay for the game -- this increasingly common strategy allows gamers to try games for free. Those who become heavy players end up pouring in more cash than they would have paid for an all-you-can-play monthly subscription.
Casual MMOs. Three of the titles listed below are trying to break into the casual space, with appealing cutesy graphics and Flash-based play. Most casual titles aren't persistent, though games like Runescape have done well out of the browser-based market so far.
New developers. Fifteen of the studios below are working on their first MMO, or their first game altogether. This could mean increased innovation, or more problems -- MMOs are risky business.
However, there are some challenges many of the companies listed below will need to overcome to make their products succeed:
Carve out a niche. Many of the games in development look similar at a first glance, and developers will have to make their product unique and appealing.
The Anti-WoW. An ever-growing proportion of gamers play nothing but World of Warcraft. Developers face the challenge of luring them away, as well as competing with the World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expansion, released later this year. The same applies to other MMOs -- will gamers want to give up an all-powerful character to start again in an unknown world?
Freeloaders. Offering free play with micropayments is all very well, but a certain number of micropayments are needed for this to succeed -- getting the balance right may prove tricky.
Developer: Indy21
Platform: PC
MMO History: Publisher Acclaim was recently resurrected as a company focusing on the localisation of Korean MMOs. 9 Dragons and BOTS are its first two titles.
About the Game: 9 Dragons is a martial-arts-themed MMO, focusing on kung-fu action with a graphical theme reminiscent of single-player RPG Jade Empire. Winner of a "Game of the Year" award in Korea, the game includes quests and mini-games to train skills.
Release Date: Around Nov 2006; beta applications open.
Developer: HonorBound
Platform: PC
MMO History: With a staff which is volunteer-based, HonorBound has been working on this game since 1998 -- it's the first project for the company, and an ambitious undertaking for a team of volunteers.
About the Game: Adellion is set on a fantasy-style world with mediaeval technology; the game features permadeath and focuses on role-play, with a number of cultures and skills available.
Release Date: TBA; beta signup is available.
Developer: Funcom
Platform: PC
MMO History: The company behind Anarchy Online, Funcom has already established a hold in the non-fantasy MMO world, despite the spectre of its cancelled Norse-themed MMO Midgard.
About the Game: Themed around the eponymous fantasy hero, Age of Conan is an action-themed MMO set in a "dark, lush, violent and sinful" world. Players complete the single-player game to become a hero, then enter the MMO stage. More announcements will be made at E3.
Release Date: 2006
Developer: NCsoft
Platform: PC
MMO History: From veteran MMO developer publisher NCsoft, Aion joins other successful fantasy titles such as Lineage and Lineage II. Launching in Korea before America, it's effectively an East-to-West conversion.
About the Game: Aion is set in a world "torn between good and evil", with a complicated "PvPvE" network of allegiance and hatred between factions. We'll hopefully find out more at E3.
Release Date: 2007
Developer: Real Time Worlds
Platform: PC, Xbox 360
MMO History: Webzen, developer of MU Online, is publishing a multitude of MMO projects at the moment. Bringing a Grand Theft Auto-style real-world crime game to the MMO concept is going to be an interesting journey.
About the Game: A MMO cops and robbers game, APB features "urban warfare in a 100% explorable city". The game features heavy customisation rather than level-based gameplay, and a persistent turf war between Gangs and Law Enforcement factions.
Release Date: 2008
Developer: NHN Games
Platform: PC
MMO History: Another Korean game being translated to the West, Archlord joins British publisher Codemasters' existing MMO lineup which includes RF Online and Dungeons & Dragons Online.
About the Game: A fantasy-based MMO with a twist; players compete in both PvE and PvP trials to become the "ArchLord", supreme ruler for a month. Includes Orcs, Elves, and Humans, covering eight classes. More than a million signed up for the Korean open beta.
Release Date: Q3 2006; beta signup open
Developer: World Fusion
Platform: PC
MMO History: This appears to be World Fusion's first MMO, though the company has been around for 19 years working on large software projects.
About the Game: Featuring a "massive", round world and features such as player housing, Atriarch is set in an alien environment. Characters can advance without killing and will be able to advance offline as well as online.
Release Date: TBA; beta signup available.
Developer: Three Rings Design
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
MMO History: Three Rings Design is the studio behind popular Java-based MMO Puzzle Pirates, and while Wild Western games aren't exactly a sure bet, recent consoles titles like GUN have helped popularise the genre.
About the Game: Free to download and play, Bang! Howdy is a cowboy MMO that centres around tactical strategy. It will presumably be similar to Puzzle Pirates in that it's a themed Java-based game, easily accessible to casual players, though the strategy focus is a new angle.
Release Date: TBA; beta signup open.
Bioware's Untitled MMORPG
Developer: Bioware
Platform: TBA
MMO History: Well-known for its RPGs such as Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire, Bioware has many gamer fans. It's acquired talent from a few well-known MMO companies for this upcoming project, including Ultima Online and Sony Online Entertainment veterans.
About the Game: Bioware only recently announced it was opening a new studio in Austin for MMO development; nothing is known about the game itself hopefully we'll hear more about the project at E3.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: N-Log Corp
Platform: PC
MMO History: The first release for the resurrected Acclaim, BOTS will test their Korean-to-Western MMO strategy.
About the Game: A casual multiplayer action title that only just falls into the MMO category, BOTS allows players to pit robots against each other. Free to play, but with microtransactions and in-game ads driving revenue. Over a million registered players in Asia.
Release Date: Q2 2006. Closed beta in progress.
Developer: Spellborn International Ltd
Platform: PC
MMO History: This is Spellborn International's first MMO. The privately-owned company was established in 2004.
About the Game: Based on the Unreal engine, set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world, The Chronicles of Spellborn is centred around skill-based combat and PvP. The game also involves quests and fighting for various in-game rewards, such as control of realms and statues of renowned players.
Release Date: Q4 2006; Open Beta in Q3 2006.
Developer: Quest Online, Inc
Platform: PC
MMO History: David Allen, creator of Mordor and Demise, is behind this project. His MMO resumé consists of Horizons: Empire of Istaria; Crusade is QOL's first MMO.
About the Game: Crusade's motto is "Crush, Conquer, Convert". Only announced a week before E3 2006, little is known about the game; it is based in a fantasy world and includes two warring player factions, with PvE and PvP-oriented play.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: NP Cube
Platform: PC
MMO History: Dark and Light is the first MMO from French developer NP Cube and Mauritian publisher Farlan Entertainment.
About the Game: Set in a large, non-sharded world with "no loading zones", Dark and Light is a fantasy-themed MMO with a number of races ranging from fairies to orcs. It is billed as the "largest MMORPG ever," and includes airborne travel on dragons and gliders. Gameplay allows for exploration as well as combat, with a free pregame Settlers of Ganareth currently underway to begin population of the world.
Release Date: May 30, 2006.
Developers: Aventurine and Razorwax
Platform: PC
MMO History: This is the first outing for Greek developer and publisher Aventurine (who have acquired Razorwax, a Norwegian company working on the title since 2001).
About the Game: Combining both fantasy MMO concepts with some RTS features, Darkfall Online allows players to build their own empire centred around land ownership and resources. With six races to choose from, character classes are flexible, with many choices for specialisation. Combat options include fighting from horseback and naval battles. The game looks to be heavily PvP oriented, with no safe zones.
Release Date: 2006
Developer: Tulga Games
Platform: PC
MMO History: Horror MMOs are rare, though horror games are less so. Tulga Games is the developer of MMO Horizons: Empire of Istaria, a fairly low-key fantasy MMO.
About the Game: Dark World Online is a MMO with a modern horror setting; players will be able to choose between vampire, werewolves and human races. The game features PvP and PvE gameplay, but little more is known at this early stage.
Release Date: TBA
Untitled DC Comics MMO
Developer: Sony Online Entertainment
Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (speculative)
MMO History: SOE is certainly one of the big names behind MMOs at the moment, though this comics-based MMO will be encroaching on fellow giant NCsoft's territory. With both DC Comics and Marvel entering the superhero space, things are certainly looking crowded.
About the Game: DC Comics' Jim Lee was recently announced as creative lead, and the game will be "as close to the DC Comics source material" as possible. Holy multiple worlds, Batman!
Release Date: 2008
Developer: Ankama
Platform: PC, Mac (Flash-based)
MMO History: Dofus Arena is essentially a spinoff from Ankama's first MMO Dofus. A casual, Flash-based 2D MMO, rather than a 3D Windows-based MMO, Dofus claims over 700,000 players and won the Audience Award at the Independent Games Festival.
About the Game: A PvP-based game, Dofus Arena is free to play and pits players with opposing teams of characters against each other. The final version will be presented at E3.
Release Date: Currently in beta, expected to go gold soon.
Developer: NCsoft
Platform: PC
MMO History: A new title from an established MMO publisher known for its non-traditional themes, Dungeon Runners is a return to the fantasy genre. NCsoft's MMO pedigree includes City of Heroes, Guild Wars and Auto Assault.
About the Game: Based on the idea of conquering multiple dungeons, Dungeon Runners involves adventuring in instances alone or with other players. As with Guild Wars, it effectively falls into the "online multiplayer RPG" category rather than the true MMO space, though its visuals are more reminiscent of World of Warcraft. We'll learn more at E3.
Release Date: Q3 2006
Developer: Webzen
Platform: PS3, PC
MMO History: Webzen, a Korean company, is developing another console MMO, Huxley, as well as the popular MU Online and Soul of the Ultimate Nation.
About the Game: Very little is known about Endless Saga other than its platform -- as a PS3 MMO title, it stands out. The game's trailer appears fantasy-themed, and the website refers to the Unreal engine, which may power the game.
Release Date: 2007
Developer: TMSGames
Platform: PC
MMO History: Horror-based MMOs aren't a lively genre, but browser-based zombiefest Urban Dead has proved popular. This appears to be TMSGames' first MMO endeavour, though the studio is dedicated to massively multiplayer development.
About the Game: A zombie-horror survival MMO, Exanimus promises a break from fantasy themes. Players will be able to take the role of zombies or humans. The game is in early stages now -- we may see more at E3.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: NCsoft
Platform: PC
MMO History: Another MMO from Korean-based veteran NCsoft, and another Korean game trying to make it in the West.
About the Game: Robot fighting. What more can we say? Very little, though we hope to find out more at E3.
Release Date: Q4 2006
Developer: Icarus Studios
Platform: PC
MMO History: This is Icarus' first MMO, and first product -- the company claims to have assembled world-class talent for the project, and the game has been under development since 2003.
About the Game: Fallen Earth is a post-apocalyptic survivalist MMO, set in a world where 99% of the human population has been wiped out by a virus. Genetic mutation and manipulation is central to the game's theme, and it involves a zoneless single world. Fallen Earth intends to be a "cross-media experience" that only begins in MMO form.
Release Date: TBA; beta signup available soon.
Developer: Auran
Platform: PC
MMO History: Australian developer Auran is behind games like Trainz, but this appears to be their first MMO. The transition from railroad simulation to fantasy multiplayer gaming may be a tricky road.
About the Game: Fury claims to combine both RPG and FPS elements to create a fast-paced combative MMO, with "no ganking, no grinding, no waiting, no wimps". According to its website, the game is launching at E3.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Perpetual Entertainment, Inc.
Platform: PC
MMO History: This is one of Perpetual's first titles, being developed alongside a second MMO, although it's being handled by veteran publisher Sony Online Entertainment's Platform Publishing label.
About the Game: A Rome-themed MMO, Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising is based on the premise that Roman mythology was fact. The game will involve quests, squad-based combat, controllable NPCs and realm-versus-realm PvP, and will be on show at E3.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Typhoon Games
Platform: PC
MMO History: Neither a Hello Kitty MMO nor a Sanrio-based MMO have been seen before, but the cutesy cartoon space has been well filled with games like Neopets. Typhoon has worked on several Hong Kong-based games.
About the Game: Reaffirm your masculinity by playing with fluffy pink kittens. Hello Kitty Online World will allow you to customise your character, build a house and buy furniture, all within a Hello Kitty setting.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Simutronics Corp.
Platform: PC
MMO History: Originally announced for development in 1999, Hero's Journey has had a long road to production. Developer Simutronics has a long history in multiplayer games, having developed several MUD titles, though the 3D MMORPG world seems fairly new to the company.
About the Game: Hero's Journey claims to focus on "fun, action-packed, adventure-style" roleplay; dual classing is mandatory, with nine classes to choose from. The game is fantasy-based and has an adaptive 'Journey' system which allows players' adventures to be customised.
Release Date: 2006
Developer: H-Studiot
Platform: Xbox 360, PC
MMO History: Huxley joins Korean publisher Webzen's MMO family. With two other MMOs lined up, Webzen will presumably be launching a three-way attack on the Western market.
About the Game: Breaking out of the RPG style of many MMOs, Huxley is a massively-multiplayer first-person shooter, or MMOFPS. The game is based on the Unreal 3 engine and set in a post-apocalyptic world, where two factions of humans battle for survival. Vehicles and a selection of weaponry feature in the game.
Release Date: Q3 2006
Developer: Turbine, Inc
Platform: PC
MMO History: Although many MMOs draw heavily from Tolkein's imagination, and other games of the books have been released, this is the first MMO to invoke the Lord of the Rings franchise. Originally announced by Sierra in 1998, the game has suffered delays and become a Turbine product.
About the Game: Set in Middle-earth shortly after Frodo and his companions leave the Shire, The Lord of the Rings Online allows players to interact with Tolkein's characters in a story-driven PvE environment. It involves standard MMO features such as a class system and four playable races: dwarves, elves, hobbits and humans. No orcs, unfortunately.
Release Date: TBA
Untitled Marvel MMO
Developer: Sigil Games
Platform: PC, Xbox 360
MMO History: Cryptic showed the world it was possible to make a superhero MMO with City of Heroes, though it landed them with a hefty lawsuit from Marvel. Now the comics giant is doing things their own way. Sigil has many Sony veterans onboard who'll be throwing their MMO weight behind this.
About the Game: Microsoft's first console MMO will most probably be superhero-themed, and will allow players from console and PC versions to interact. Little more is known; we hope to hear more at E3.
Release Date: 2008
Developer: Naughty America
Platform: PC
MMO History: While social-themed online worlds and sex-themed online games have been around for a while, this is Naughty America's first foray into either.
About the Game: A cross between online dating and an MMO, Naughty America: The Game is primarily a social space with added sex. Cartoon sex, that is.
Release Date: Summer 2006
Developer: Sega
Platform: PS2, PC, Xbox 360
MMO History: After the popular Phantasy Star Online, spanning the Dreamcast, Gamecube, PC and Xbox platforms, Sega is no stranger to console conversions. Originally scheduled for a March '06 release, this title has been delayed.
About the Game: Phantasy Star Universe is effectively an RPG with both single- and multiplayer components rather than an MMO. It features hack-and-slash combat with strafing and dual-wielding, player-controlled vehicles and three planets to explore.
Release Date: 2006
Developer: Flying Lab Software
Platform: PC
MMO History: There's only one other pirate-themed MMO (Puzzle Pirates) out at the moment, so the way is clear for more; this is Flying Lab's first MMO release.
About the Game: Set amid the high seas, Pirates of the Burning Sea lets players partake in naval combat against other players and NPCs. Players can side with one of three powers -- Britain, France and Spain -- to conquer the Caribbean. The game also supports piracy and trader-style gameplay as well as combat and adventure.
Release Date: TBA; beta signups are open.
Pirates of the Caribbean Online
Developer: Disney
Platform: PC
MMO History: After developing kiddy MMO Toontown Online, Disney has turned its attention to one of its popular movie franchises to make a game that has broad appeal. However, pirate fans may have to choose between this and competitor Pirates of the Burning Sea.
About the Game: Little is known about Pirates of the Caribbean Online; players will be able to interact with the movie characters Jack Sparrow, Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann, on the route to creating a pirate and setting sail on the seas. Expect evil undead pirates and a large amount of movie crossover. More will be revealed at E3.
Release Date: 2007
Developer: Atomic Blue
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux
MMO History: An independently-developed project, PlaneShift is an open-source project, an innovative direction to take MMO development. It's possible to join the team if you have the time and skills to help out.
About the Game: PlaneShift is a 3D fantasy MMO, free to play. Part of the team's mission is to recreate the complexity of a mediaeval world that can be enjoyed by role-players.
Release Date: Alpha releases are downloadable; v.1.0 release TBA.
Developer: Webzen
Platform: PC
MMO History: Another of Webzen's titles, joining dissimilar brethren Huxley and Soul of the Ultimate Nation at E3 this year. As a casual title, it departs from Webzen's previous MMO efforts.
About the Game: Project Wiki is nothing to do with collaborative editing and all about a fairytale land for casual gamers. With a cartoonish feel, the title is designed to appeal to a wide market.
Release Date: 2006
Developer: Red Bedlam Ltd
Platform: PC
MMO History: This is Red Bedlam's first MMO and one of the first to focus on an authentic historical setting. The game was recently in the press for its in-game punishment of virtual crucifixion.
About the Game: Roma Victor aims to reproduce a historically accurate Roman world, circa 180AD, though players won't have to speak Latin (unfortunately). It involves a revenue model based around in-game currency rather than a monthly fee.
Release Date: July 2006
Developer:
Platform: PC
MMO History: Another of NCsoft's veritable harem of games, this was only announced towards the end of April 2006. Adding the concept of MMO to a sports title is an interesting experiment, but NCsoft is one of the few companies with the weight to try it.
About the Game: The only sports MMO in this line-up, Soccer Fury combines "arcade-style" football with an online multiplayer element. With teams, leagues and tournaments, the term "MMO" is perhaps stretching it a little, but the game seems aimed at the MMO space.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Webzen
Platform: PC
MMO History: Webzen, developers of MU Online, have several new titles underway in a number of settings; this title seems closest to MU with its fantasy theme. Webzen have claimed that MU has 40 million registered accounts worldwide.
About the Game: Soul of the Ultimate Nation aims to incorporate console-style play into a PC MMO (an endeavour which bodes well for Webzen's other, console-based MMO titles). The game is set in a fantasy world and focuses strongly on a battle system.
Release Date: 2006 (Korea)
Developer: Masangsoft/Gala-Net, Inc
Platform: PC
MMO History: With a beta-test community of 60,000 the game looks to be off to a good start; developed in Korea by Masangsoft, this is another Eastern import now handled by Gala-Net, following on from fantasy flight-based MMO Flyff.
About the Game: Free to play, Space Cowboy Online is a 3D space shooter that allows players to pilot their own fighter ships. The game involves both PvE and PvP combat and includes voice integration. Microtransactions provide the revenue.
Release Date: May 2006
Square Enix's Untitled MMORPG
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: PS3, PC
MMO History: Makers of the PC and console MMO Final Fantasy XI, Square Enix has delivered the only next-gen console MMO currently on sale. However, the company has shunned the 360 for its new untitled project.
About the Game: Very little is known about the game other than its platform and developer; we hope to learn more at E3. Possibly called Fantasy Earth: The Ring of Dominion (we don't speak Japanese).
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment
Platform: PC
MMO History: Cheyenne has brought various industry veterans onboard, but this is their first MMO. It's also one of the few MMOs to be based around a television series.
About the Game: Stargate Worlds is set in the world of Stargate: SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, and will focus on small groups (much like the TV series). PvP combat will also be a feature, and the game features a number of races and three major factions. Development is in early stages.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Perpetual Entertainment
Platform: PC
MMO History: This is one of two MMOs under development by Perpetual, a young American studio, as well as another franchise-based MMO that concentrates on a popular TV series.
About the Game: Star Trek Online intends to encompass the universe of Star Trek, from holodecks to away missions. There will be PvP opportunities as well as solo and grouped PvE. A number of races and classes (departments) will be playable, though the only faction available to begin with is Starfleet.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Destination Games
Platform: PC
MMO History: Part of established MMO publisher NCsoft's upcoming lineup, Tabula Rasa joins the likes of City of Heroes and Guild Wars. However, the game has had a bumpy development history, despite being spearheaded by veteran developer Richard Garriott.
About the Game: Tabula Rasa is an action-based MMO which is centred around a war between rebel soldiers and a warlike alien race. Players will have access to futuristic weapons and mystical powers, working together to stop the oncoming enemy. The game is designed to appeal to FPS, RPG and MMO fans, and has built-in voice chat.
Release Date: Oct 2006; Beta slot competition open.
Developer: Shadowpool Studios
Platform: PC
MMO History: An indie studio working on this MMO since 2002, Shadowpool have poured a lot into this one game, without committing to a release date.
About the Game: One of the few MMOs to include permadeath, Trials of Ascension is a fantasy-based game with no fixed class system. With the twist that player names aren't visible (a player can tell you whatever name they want you to know them by), the game encompasses twelve races from pixies to dragons.
Release Date: TBA
Developer: Sigil Games
Platform: PC
MMO History: Founded by ex-Sony Online Entertainment developers, Sigil's first MMO product is Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. After signing a publishing deal with Microsoft in 2002, the studio attracted more talent.
About the Game: Vanguard: Saga of Heroes takes place in a fantasy world where people are struggling to rebuild after a war. Involving 19 classic fantasy races and 15 professions, as well as tradeskills, this looks to be a fairly traditional fantasy MMO.
Release Date: 2006; currently in closed beta.
Developer: Mythic Entertainment
Platform: PC
MMO History: Mythic is well known for its MMO Dark age of Camelot, and has picked up the Warhammer franchise for a new MMO.
About the Game: Warhammer Online is set in a time of conflict, with warring factions tearing the world apart. There are six playable armies and no knowledge of the Warhammer games is needed to play, although it will likely appeal to Warhammer fans more than non-fans.
Release Date: 2007
Honourable mention goes to the expansions we're hoping to see at E3, which include World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade and a new chapter of Guild Wars. Also, Egyptian MMO A Tale in the Desert is about to start a second beta for its Tale 3 expansion. Sony Online Entertainment will also be showing EverQuest II's third expansion Echoes of Faydwer, and its third adventure pack The Fallen Dynasty.
With over 40 products jostling for buyers' attention, the MMO landscape certainly looks interesting -- if crowded -- in the near future.
[Update 1 - added Hello Kitty Online World. Thanks, Deekman]
[Update 2 - added Exanimus. Thanks, 007craft]
[Update 3 - added Bang! Howdy and A Tale in the Desert III (as expansion); clarified Fallen Earth beta. Thanks Lonin, wormbin and jbrandt.]
[Update 4 - added Hero's Journey, Trials of Ascension, Adellion, Atriarch, Aion, Soccer Fury, PlaneShift, APB, untitled Bioware MMO; updated Square Enix project and added SOE expansions. Thanks, Severius, Ethan, Stephen, DaBlade, Tux, dejitaru. Whew!]
[Update 5 - added Marvel & DC Comics MMOs, removed Untold Legends Dark Kingdom, updated ArchLord with beta link. Thanks, toga]
[Update 6 - added Dark World Online and Fury. Thanks, Feral]
