MMORPGs Shouldn't be Afraid to Embrace First-Person Perspective More Often

MMORPGs can come in a lot of different viewpoints. They can be isometric, first person, third person, and your choice of preferred view angle all boils down to a matter of perspective. However, are MMOs nothing if not meant to be an immersive step into a brand new world. Why aren't more MMOs first person?

For decades I feel that players have become accustomed to an MMORPG landscape dominated by third-person views. Don't misunderstand me here, I love third-person RPGs. I'm not some kind of weirdo who chooses first-person view in games that allow third-person just to hinder my experience. But I do question why we don't have more first-person games. Afterall, there are some excellent reasons to utilize it more often.

The Case for Immersion

Immersion is one of the biggest points for first-person views. Say what you will about Mortal Online 2, but Star Vault has been staunch in their support of the immersion factor of the first-person view. In a game where it could be life or death to know what's behind you, a lot of the danger comes from the fear of that unknown. After all, we've seen first-person perspective work flawlessly in combat for a long time with first-person shooters. It's a shame that so few MMORPGs choose to take a page out of there book when we know how popular FPS games have become. 

That said, first-person MMORPGs aren’t without their challenges. Historically, I resisted them for the very reasons many players do: losing the ability to see what’s around you can feel like a handicap, especially in games where tactical awareness or auto-targeting plays a central role. For traditional MMORPG combat systems—tab-targeting and auto-attacks, for instance—first-person feels clunky and unnatural. Action combat can work, but even then, third-person often feels like the more intuitive option.

The Role of VR in Shifting Perspectives

My perspective shifted dramatically when I first stepped into a VR MMORPG. Zenith: The Last City, (as it and its updates trail off into the sunset), showed me the transformative power of first-person immersion in virtual reality. In VR, third-person views can feel awkward, even disorienting—like watching yourself from above instead of inhabiting your body. First-person, on the other hand, anchors you in the world, reinforcing the illusion that you are your character.

The unique demands of VR MMORPGs make them a natural fit for first-person gameplay. However, as VR grows, so too might the expectations for immersion across the broader genre.

A Flawed Reputation?

Outside of VR, first-person MMORPGs seem to carry a stigma. Games like Reign of Guilds initially embraced first-person gameplay but later pivoted to a hybrid system, requiring first-person only during combat. This compromise suggests that developers recognize the strengths of first-person immersion but remain wary of alienating players accustomed to third-person views.

This hesitation raises an important question: does first-person inherently hinder an MMORPG’s success? Or is it simply a matter of execution? The relative scarcity of first-person MMORPGs makes it difficult to gauge their true potential. But the few examples we have suggest that, when done well, first-person perspective can offer something truly unique—a chance to step fully into the shoes of your character.

What’s Next for First-Person MMORPGs?

As the MMORPG genre continues to evolve, perhaps it’s time to reevaluate the role of perspective. Should more games take the plunge into first-person territory, prioritizing immersion over convenience? Or is third-person view simply too integral to the way we play MMORPGs to ever give it up?

The answer may lie in finding a balance. Hybrid systems, VR-exclusive experiences, or bold new experiments in first-person MMORPG design could pave the way for a more diverse future. Until then, the debate continues. What do you think—should we see more first-person MMORPGs, or is third-person still king?