Are MMORPGs a dying genre?

MMORPGs are not a dying genre, at least for now with developers still updating new content and updates for the popular ones.

There are even upcoming MMORPG releases that are highly anticipated by the gaming world.

Whether you’re one of the avid MMORPG fans and are worried about the possibility of all your gaming content being lost or planning to play an MMO game but hesitating if it’s still worth the time, it is important to know about the future of MMORPG.

This article will discuss MMORPGs to give you a good glimpse of where the genre is now.

MMORPG Industry’s Health

MMORPG Industry Health

The trend for online gaming is growing and MMORPG is one of the genres that is expected to have increased growth.

The MMORPG industry’s growth is anticipated to incur a compound annual growth rate of 9.5% worldwide from 2021 to 2026 according to a study conducted by Mordor Intelligence.

MMORPG on consoles are also a developing market with a forecast of 4 billion by 2025 according to the latest report from Meticulous Research.

The reports showing the growth and potential for MMORPGs in the future give a good indication that the genre is not dying anytime soon.

MMORPGs Possible Decline

MMORPGs Possible Decline

It’s worth noting that there are some issues that developers need to address to keep the genre alive and interesting for both new and old players. Here are the apparent issues for MMORPGs:

Declining Subscription Numbers

The first issue is the declining subscription numbers for popular MMORPGs.

For World of Warcraft, one of the most successful MMORPGs, there has been a decline in subscriptions in recent years.

This can be attributed to various reasons such as the release of free-to-play MMOs, an aging player base, and content that is no longer updated frequently.

While the decline in subscriptions is a cause for concern, it is not necessarily indicative of the health of the genre as a whole.

There are still many popular MMORPGs with healthy subscription numbers such as Final Fantasy XIV and The Elder Scrolls Online.

Increased Competition from Other Genres

The second issue is the increasing competition from other genres.

There are now many alternatives to MMORPGs such as battle royales, MOBAs, and even single-player games with live service components.

The increasing popularity of these genres has led to a decline in the player base for MMORPGs.

Lack of Innovation

The third issue is the lack of innovation in the genre.

Many MMORPGs tend to be clones of existing successful games with only minor changes.

This has led to a decline in interest from both new and old players as there are not many new experiences to be had.

There are some cool upcoming MMORPGs to keep your eyes peeled for though.

High Barrier to Entry for New Players

The fourth and final issue is the high barriers to entry for new players.

Many MMORPGs require a lot of time and effort to get into with their complex mechanics and systems.

This can be discouraging for new players who are looking to try out the genre.

Top MMORPGs with the Highest Number of Players

Top MMORPGs with the Highest Number of Players

There are several MMORPGs with massive player bases in 2022 but the top three ones that dominated the industry are as follows:

World of Warcraft – 1.2 Million daily players

World of Warcraft is an MMORPG that requires a subscription after level 20. You can battle out monsters, do quests, join a guild with multiple guild activities, collect rare mounts, and participate in PVPs.

Old School RuneScape – 1.4 Million daily players

Old School RuneScape is an MMORPG with a free-to-play model. It’s one of the MMORPGs with the highest number of players as it has a combination of PvE and PvP, with many ways to train your skills.

Final Fantasy XIV – 1.8 Million daily players

FFXIV is another subscription-based MMORPG that boasts an incredible amount of content with its expansions. The game has a great story, interesting side quests, and PVP features for those who want to engage in combat.

Final Fantasy XIV can be seen as both a general RPG that you can play alone, or an MMORPG that you play with strangers or friends. The game is mostly built that you can just enjoy it by yourself if that’s what you prefer.

Conclusion: The Future of MMORPGs

Despite the issues that are plaguing the genre, there is still a lot of hope for the future of MMORPGs.

Many developers are working on new and innovative games that could revitalize the genre.

In addition, the increasing popularity of cloud gaming could also help to increase the player base for MMORPGs as it would make them more accessible.

While there are some concerns about the future of MMORPGs, the genre is still alive and has a lot of potentials.

Are MMORPGs A Dying Genre FAQs

What mobile MMORPGs are still worth playing?

There are several PC as well as mobile MMORPGs still worth playing. Some examples are Genshin Impact, Black Desert Mobile, and Toram Online.

Are MMORPGs still popular?

Yes, MMORPGs are still popular, there are MMORPGs with massive player bases like Final Fantasy XIV and Old School RuneScape.

Are there any good MMOs?

Yes, there are a lot of great MMOs that you can play today such as RuneScape, World of Warcraft, and Final Fantasy XIV.

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Article by Jake

Hey I'm Jake! Writer for various gaming and technology blogs. I also enjoy a little bit of golf in my free time as well as gaming. I really enjoy competitive games and I hate to admit it, but I have really been enjoying Wild Rift on my phone as I get the League experience without the rage. Usually you'll find me on Steam though exploring the many competitive options out there, whether that is a Battle Royale game or a MOBA game.