The world of MMOs is vast and ever-evolving. But just like our favorite characters, some online worlds eventually fade away. Today we take a look at some of the best MMOs that shut down. These games despite their eventual closure, left a lasting impression on players and we wish that they would stick around longer or receive changes that could potentially revive them.
WildStar
WildStar suffered an unfortunate fate and despite being loved by many, the game had to be shut down. The game was developed by Carbine Studios and published by NCsoft. It was shut down primarily due to financial reasons and a declining player base. Despite its initial hype and positive reception for its unique art style, action-oriented combat, and innovative dynamic events, the game struggled to maintain a sustainable player population.
Initially, WildStar launched with a subscription-based model and it simply did not work out. While players have shown time and again that they are willing to pay for a subscription for titles like WoW and FFXIV, WildStar launched at a time when free-to-play MMOs were on the rise and it couldn’t gain enough traction.
Ultimately, despite its development team's strengths and efforts to address issues and improve the game over time, WildStar struggled to achieve financial viability and maintain a large enough player base to support its continued operation. As a result, NCsoft made the decision to shut down the game in November 2018, marking the end of WildStar's journey in the MMO market.
The Matrix Online
The Matrix franchise is beloved by many for several reasons, including its groundbreaking visual effects, thought-provoking themes, and memorable characters. It only made sense that a game designed in the same world would do well but the pop culture phenomenon failed to replicate its success in its MMORPG form.
Despite launching with a promising premise, The Matrix Online struggled to deliver meaningful content updates and expansions to keep players engaged over the long term. The game's development was hampered by changes in ownership and a declining player base, limiting its potential for growth.
The Matrix Online shut down in 2009 due to a dwindling player base. The game initially had a strong following, but over time, the number of active players fell significantly. This drop in subscriptions made it financially unsustainable to keep the servers running and it was eventually shut down. It is far from being the best MMO on this list but given enough attention and care, it could have been a much better title.
EverQuest Online Adventures
EverQuest Online Adventures (EQOA), a console spin-off of the PC MMORPG giant EverQuest, shut down in 2012. While it carved a niche for itself on the PlayStation 2, a confluence of factors led to its demise. The MMO market on consoles was never as robust as on PCs. As online gaming on consoles evolved, EQOA struggled to keep pace with newer titles that offered more features and a more modern experience.
The PS2 hardware limited the scope of EQOA compared to its PC counterpart. This could have felt restrictive to players who craved the vast, open worlds becoming commonplace in PC MMOs. The initial player base, drawn to the familiarity of the EverQuest name on consoles, may have simply aged out of gaming or moved on to other experiences. Attracting new generations of players might have proven difficult.
The core MMO audience has traditionally been PC gamers who enjoy the strategic depth and social aspects of these games. While console MMOs exist, they may not capture the same level of complexity or community as their PC counterparts and it is possibly one of the reasons EQOA didn’t do well.
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
The primary reason for WAR's closure was the expiration of its licensing agreement with Games Workshop, the creators of the Warhammer Fantasy universe. Without the rights to use the Warhammer IP, Mythic Entertainment, the developer of WAR, could not continue operating the game.
Despite initial hype and a strong launch, WAR experienced a decline in player numbers over time. The game struggled to retain subscribers and attract new players, which impacted its long-term sustainability. As player numbers dwindled, it became increasingly challenging to support the game and the licensing problems, there was not much that Mythic Entertainment could do about it to keep it going.
Last year, we found out that Jackalyptic Games is working on a new Warhammer MMORPG so things are not as doom and gloom. Hopefully, the new title will do justice to the franchise and finally offer a complete MMORPG experience to Warhammer fans.
Star Wars Galaxies
Similar to Warhammer Online, Star Wars Galaxies' fate was tied to its license. Sony Online Entertainment's contract with LucasArts (now Lucasfilm) to use the Star Wars IP reportedly expired around the time of the shutdown. Without a renewed agreement, SOE couldn't continue operating the game.
The MMO market was evolving in 2011. Star Wars Galaxies, known for its player-driven sandbox gameplay and complex crafting system, might not have appealed to a generation of gamers seeking more streamlined experiences with clearer goals that have become mainstream today. The game simply failed to capture a big enough audience and was not a sustainable project.
City of Heroes
NCSoft, the publisher of City of Heroes, officially explained that the MMO was shut down in 2012 due to a "realignment of company focus and publishing support." This explanation was vague and left many fans feeling unsatisfied, but we never found out the real reason behind the game’s shutdown.
The game’s source code leaked in 2019 which allowed fans to create private servers and revive the game. NCSoft even reached an agreement with one of these private servers, City of Heroes Homecoming, allowing them to operate officially. As a result, this official blessing from NCSoft can actually be seen as a full-fledged second chance for the superhero MMO, as Homecoming has now been empowered to run and develop the MMO franchise into the future. It’s an exciting development, especially for those who have longed for the return of this MMO since it shut its doors.
These MMOs, among others, left a lasting impact on their respective communities and are remembered fondly by players who enjoyed the experiences they offered. While the MMOs we listed were not perfect they did have potential and, unfortunately, they shut down before achieving their true potential.
