Features

Columns

• The Top Superhero MMOs of All Time

  The superhero, or comic book-based MMO, is a subgenre that simply hasn’t gotten enough love through the years. There are hardly even enough games out there to even populate this list! Still, I thought it would be fun this week to highlight the experiences that are on offer and also talk about my hopes for the future in this area.

  Posted on 02/18/2015 by Michael Bitton

• On Removing Pillars of the Everquest Community

  I’m trying my best right now to be eloquent about the recent news of layoffs in Daybreak Game Company. Sadly, it’s 4:00 am as I write this, a reactionary submission to MMORPG.com in light of my tenure as the Everquest Next and Landmark columnist.

  Posted on 02/11/2015 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• The Best Value at SOE Daybreak Game Company Might not be MMOs

  In this article, I want to discuss business acquisitions from a seller and buyer’s perspective. I am working towards a speculative argument as to some of the things we might see from the SOE Acquisition. Specifically, I think the more interesting aspects of this deal may have little to do with MMO’s.

  Posted on 02/05/2015 by Ryahl Smith

• Four Years and Going Strong

  Sony Online Entertainment’s DC Universe Online launched with a simple premise: allow players to create their own superheroes, with unique power sets, and romp around in iconic locations and alongside beloved characters from the DC universe. Four years later, it’s still building on its solid launch, having already released twelve official updates and with much more on the way.

  Posted on 01/16/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• 5 MMOGs That Seriously Disappointed Me

  Video games almost always fail to measure up to the hype they generate during development. It's pretty unusual to see one that under-promises and over-delivers. Indeed, relatively few even manage to meet the expectations they promote. To be fair, this isn't entirely one-sided since many of us tend to look at upcoming titles through our rose-colored glasses. Naturally, relative to how we think or hope they'll turn out, some disappoint more than others.

  Posted on 10/06/2014 by Richard Aihoshi

• 5 MMOs to Play with Non-MMO Players

  By design, MMOs are more fun to play with your friends. Most of them encourage or even require grouping for a lot of the best and most rewarding content, which necessitates either being social in the game world, or coming into the experience with a pre-determined group of friends to play with. Sometimes though, it can be hard to find people. Whatever the case may be, every MMO player wishes X friend would play in their favorite virtual worlds with them.

  Posted on 07/21/2014 by David Jagneaux

• Ten Most Voted Female Characters in MMOs and RPGs

  A few months ago, we had an exciting MMO Super Women discussion about what essential elements create memorable female protagonists. We asked you to name the women characters from MMOs that made an impression on you. As a result, we compiled your votes into the following ten MMOs and RPGs. Enjoy, and be sure to add any additional female favorite heroes in the comments below!

  Posted on 07/08/2014 by Genese Davis

• The Top 5 MMOs That Could Be Singleplayer Games

  So many MMOs nowadays have evolved into an amalgamation of game modes and content – some stuff you can play alone, some of it requires strangers, some of it is best with friends, some is friendly, some is just for fun. Even though these experiences seem to be getting farther and farther away from what made the genre so exciting to begin with – adventuring in epic online worlds – it has led to creation of a term with both good and bad connotations: solo friendly.

  Posted on 06/30/2014 by David Jagneaux

• The Top 5 Casual MMORPGs

  With so many options out there for an MMO to play, there is something for everybody. Whether you’re looking for an epic fantasy adventure, alternate history, sci-fi conquests, or maybe even a real-life simulator, you can surely find and MMO to satiate your unique hunger. Not everyone is a seasoned MMO veteran however. This is our list of the top 5 best casual MMOs on the market right now and each of these would be great choices for anyone looking for a more casual MMO gaming experience.

  Posted on 06/02/2014 by David Jagneaux

• Three Questions for 2014

  Last week, Rob Lashley gave you three words to sum up 2013. This week, he is back, this time with three questions for the forthcoming year. See what Rob wants to know before heading to the comments to tell us what you want to find out in 2014.

  Posted on 01/02/2014 by Robert Lashley

• Gaming Consoles

  During E3, the MMO space was rocked by the announcement that several big MMO titles would be headed to next-gen consoles. What is the likelihood of success? We take a look at that today and hope you'll offer your thoughts in the comments after reading.

  Posted on 06/21/2013 by Adam Tingle

• So DC Universe is F2P

  In his latest column, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy talks about his first foray into the free to play version of DC Universe Online. See if Bill found things improved and what he feels the game is going to need going forward. Leave us your impressions in the comments.

  Posted on 11/03/2011 by William Murphy

• The Top 10 MMOs of 2012 - Revisited

  Back in 2009, our own Jon Wood took a look at the ten games he thought would be dominating the market in 2012. This week, we take a look at Jon's list and find out whether his predictions are on track or a bust.

  Posted on 08/15/2011 by William Murphy

• DC Universe Will Make a Comeback

  In this week's argumentative take on issues facing the MMO Industry, Drew Wood dives into the hype and fizzle of SOE's Universe Online. In The Devil's Advocate, Drew posits something quite bold: DCUO will soon see a comeback.

  Posted on 08/10/2011 by Drew Wood

• A Sub-Genre?

  In the MMO-universe, there is an ever-growing library of games that neither fit the traditional MMORPG genre, nor do they fit into the "normal" subscription-based game. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy takes a look at today's MMOGs and ponders the expanding number of sub-genres. Let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 04/21/2011 by William Murphy

• Finding Fun with Friends

  MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy is a fun guy and he likes to hang with friends in his favorite MMOs. Sometimes, however, that's not as easy as it might seem. Bill takes a look at finding friends in MMOs. He looks closely at Rift's open grouping and how simple it is to "find fun with friends". Check out Bill's thoughts and then let us know what you think.

  Posted on 03/10/2011 by William Murphy

• Staff Impressions

  This week marks the final weekly column devoted to DC Universe Online. While Bill Murphy gets the byline, the article is authored by several of our major site contributors. They have a few words for our readers about DCUO and how they personally feel about it. Check out the MMORPG.com Staff Impressions from the likes of Jon Wood, Mike Bitton, Garrett Fuller and Drew Wood. Be sure to add your impressions in the comments below.

  Posted on 01/28/2011 by William Murphy

• Some Concerns

  DC Universe Online has been out in full retail release for the past week now. In his latest DCUO column, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy has played the game for around twenty hours now and voices some concerns about the game. See what it is that wrinkles Bill's brow and then add your thoughts to the mix in the comments below.

  Posted on 01/20/2011 by William Murphy

• The First Few Days

  DC Universe Online launched this week and has been showing good numbers and server populations. MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy has been busily building his first character and has some observations about server populations, Legends PvP, server names and more. Compare notes with Bill and then leave us a few comments below.

  Posted on 01/14/2011 by William Murphy

• The End is the Beginning

  The title says it all in MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy's latest DC Universe Online Weekly column. Bill starts with a discussion of last night's beta-ending event and moves on to stand atop the soapbox for a few cautionary words for fans and detractors alike. Check out Bill's words and them weigh in on the discussion in the comments below.

  Posted on 01/06/2011 by William Murphy

• A Year of Anticipation

  In his latest column for MMORPG.com, Bill Murphy virtually rubs his hands together at the prospects coming down the pike in 2011. Bill discusses the next three months and three games he's got a genuine interest in: DC Universe Online, Earthrise and Rift. And then, of course, there's TERA, SWTOR and Guild Wars 2 to look out for in 2011. Check out Bill's anticipatory thoughts about 2011 and then add your own thoughts in the comments below.

  Posted on 01/06/2011 by William Murphy

• Heroes vs. Villains

  In his latest DC Universe Online column, Bill Murphy goes into a bit more detail about the PvP system that the game will employ. It's good enough, in fact, that Bill opines that he adores fighting other players. Find out why in Bill's DCUO column. Let us know what you think about DCUO PvP by commenting below.

  Posted on 12/30/2010 by William Murphy

• Prognostications for 2011

  It's that time of year, the time when things wind down for the preceding twelve months, the time of reflection and the time for looking ahead to the coming year. In his latest MMORPG.com column, Bill Murphy prognosticates about 2011. Check out his thoughts and then add a few of your own in the comments section below.

  Posted on 12/30/2010 by William Murphy

• The Quiz: DC Universe Online Edition

  The Quiz this week centers around a game that MMORPG.com's Drew Wood has been spending a lot of quality time with lately: DC Universe Online. See if your knowledge of DCUO is up to snuff by taking the quiz. Let us know how you did in the comments below.

  Posted on 12/29/2010 by Drew Wood

• PvP Overview

  MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy takes a look at PvP content in DC Universe Online in his latest column. From what he's been experienced thus far, Bill believes that Sony Online Entertainment and DCUO devs have gotten it right. Read Bill's thoughts and then comment below!

  Posted on 12/29/2010 by William Murphy

• Down to the Wire

  In his latest DC Universe Online column, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy talks about the big news of the week for DCUO fans: The January 11, 2011 release date. Bill has placed himself firmly in the 'YES' camp and will be home 'sick' that day. Yet Bill acknowledges that there are things that DCUO devs need to address before that time. See what Bill thinks of the latest beta patch, what it has brought to the game and what still needs to be done. Be sure to weigh in with your own thoughts below.

  Posted on 12/23/2010 by William Murphy

• Diving Deeper Into the Game

  In his latest column for DC Universe Online, MMORPG.com's newlywed, Bill Murphy, takes a look at the changes since December 3rd, his last foray into the game before his nuptials. In the intervening weeks, the game received a major patch and Bill takes a look at how the game has changed. Check it out in DCUO Weekly: Diving Deeper Into the Game.

  Posted on 12/16/2010 by William Murphy

• The Level 1-9 Experience Part 2

  In his newest DC Universe Online column, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy continues his look at the first nine levels of the game. Moving on from the tutorial, Bill has specifics about combat and about the fact that a player feels like a 'bad ass' right from the start. Check out Bill's experience and then weigh in with your comments below.

  Posted on 12/09/2010 by William Murphy

• Accessible Alerts

  In his weekly column, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy has penned DC Universe Online #15: Accessible Alerts. While Bill tends to be a solitary guy in his MMOs, he does like those times when he has the time to hook up with friends to put the smack down on some challenging content. In DCUO, Alerts will be those exact scenarios and will unlock as a player levels. Check out what Bill thinks about these Alerts and then comment below.

  Posted on 11/19/2010 by William Murphy

• Top 5 Villain DCUO Villain Mentors

  In The List last week, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy revealed his top five choices for hero mentors in DC Universe Online. This week, Bill flips the coin and discusses his Top 5 Villain Mentors. Included in Bill's list are Black Adam and the Riddler. See if you agree with Bill's list of the uber villains and then add your choices on our forums.

  Posted on 11/15/2010 by William Murphy

• Plenty of Powers

  In his DC Universe Online Weekly Edition #14, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy takes a look at power sets. Initially Bill's inner geek was offended by the fact that -only- six power sets would be included at the game's launch. But time and medication have made him think more clearly, as DCUO Weekly #14 shows. Check out what Bill has discovered about power sets and why he says there are Plenty of Power. Weigh in on our forums with your thoughts when you're finished.

  Posted on 11/11/2010 by William Murphy

• Top DC Universe Hero Mentors

  In The List this week, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy points out the top DC Universe Online mentors. Mentors are characters that will interact with characters as they level and that will play an integral part in the story. There will be three mentor characters for good and three for evil included in the game. Bill has a few ideas about other DC heroes/villains that would be terrific mentors. See if you agree with Bill's choices or if you have other ideas. Let us know!

  Posted on 11/09/2010 by William Murphy

• The Green Lantern Brouhaha

  MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy presents his lucky thirteenth edition of the DCUO Weekly. This time Bill takes a look at the Green Lantern Brouhaha, or the announcement that the Green Lantern's power set won't be available at launch. Bill discusses the reasons that the dev team made this decision and what it potentially means. Check it out and then weigh in with your own thoughts on the forum.

  Posted on 11/04/2010 by William Murphy

• Iconic Battle Suits

  In his latest DC Universe Online column, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy takes a look at Iconic Battle Suits. These battle suits are coordinated gear sets that give a player the look of one of the super heroes of legend. Bill has a few thoughts on the good and the bad when it comes to Iconic Battle Suits. Read on to see what you think and then let us know on the forums!

  Posted on 10/28/2010 by William Murphy

• Thoughts on Character Create

  In his tenth installment of the MMORPG.com DC Universe Online column, writer Bill Murphy offers up some thoughts about recently-revealed information about character creation. Bill highlights the 'best of' the information he heard during last weekend's NY Comic Con panel. Check out Bill's thoughts and then tell us what you think!

  Posted on 10/14/2010 by William Murphy

• Guessing at the Details

  In this seventh installment of the DC Universe Online Weekly, MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy takes a look at Gamespot's recent article about their visit to the SOE studios in Austin, TX. Bill points out the most relevant information shared during that visit and shares a few thoughts about what it means for the game. Check it out and then let us know what you think on our forums.

  Posted on 09/23/2010 by William Murphy

• The Lack of Crafting

  Last week, MMORPG.com writer Bill Murphy had the opportunity to interview DC Universe Online's Chris Cao. One of the more interesting pieces of information to come from that interview was the revelation that crafting as it is traditionally known in most MMOs will not be included in DCOU. Bill has some thoughts about why devs made this decsion and about some of the pros and cons of excluding crafting. See what Bill thinks and then add your thoughts on our forums.

  Posted on 09/09/2010 by William Murphy

• DCUO Weekly #4: The Potential of Powers

  Super heroes need super powers and in his weekly DCUO column, MMORPG.com writer Bill Murphy wonders which of the ones from the comics will make the transition to DC Universe Online. Will wind, atomic, mental and martial arts make the cut? See what you think as you read Bill's thoughts and then add a few of your own.

  Posted on 08/26/2010 by William Murphy

• Weekly #3: Episodes and Cosmetic Items

  In the third installment of MMORPG.com columnist Bill Murphy's DC Universe Online column, Bill takes gives fans something to think about with regard to the game's episodes and cosmetic items. Episodes are a way for players to interact with well-known characters from the comics. Cosmetic items, while nothing new, have a new twist on them by the sheer virtue that they can be dropped rather than simply purchased. Check out Bill's DCOU #3.

  Posted on 08/19/2010 by William Murphy

• Weekly #2: Iconic Play and the Lure of the IP

  In today's DC Universe Online Weekly column, MMORPG.com writer Bill Murphy takes a look at what developers call "iconic play". The thought of putting on the Bat costume and protecting the Bat Cave from the Joker truly adds a new dimension for those who have grown up loving these legendary superheroes and villains. Check out Bill's latest column, "Iconic Play and the Lure of the IP".

  Posted on 08/12/2010 by William Murphy

• Gameplay: Chasing the Hulk

  As part of a new weekly series of articles, MMORPG.com columnist Bill Murphy will be taking a look at all things DC Universe Online. In this first installment, Bill takes a look at his most sought-after feature in DC Universe Online: Action. Find out if DCUO seems to be headed in the right direction by reading DC Universe Online Weekly #1.

  Posted on 08/02/2010 by William Murphy

• Five Reasons to Avoid Beta

  In this week's The List, MMORPG.com columnist Bill Murphy takes on beta testing and gives five compelling reasons why folks should avoid it like the plague. Agree or disagree, Bill's column is sure to start an excellent conversation.

  Posted on 07/20/2010 by William Murphy

• Bill’s Best of E3 2010

  MMORPG's Bill Murphy spent a lot of time at this year's E3 perusing all the MMOs fans have been waiting to find out more about. That in mind, Bill has picked four games worthy of note. Find out which ones struck him as 'ones to watch' as 2010 moves along.

  Posted on 06/29/2010 by William Murphy

• Top 10 Games of 2012

  Jon breaks out his crystal ball and peers three years down the road. Which 10 games will dominate the market then?

  Posted on 08/11/2009 by Jon Wood