MMORPGs Coming In 2025 And Beyond

With 2024 drawing to a close, the MMORPG genre has seen a year of expansions, setbacks, and new beginnings alike: leading games like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, and The Elder Scrolls Online have benefited from expansions each that further cemented their statuses, while Tarisland and Throne and Liberty went live to broaden the genre a bit further. Early Access titles like Pax Dei, Corepunk, and Brighter Shores all have their potential but are still works in progress. Even though Blue Protocol was cancelled (only to be resuscitated…) and the ArcheAge servers are shutting down, MMORPG players can still look forward to new experiences as long as developers create new licenses or revive old ones.

This article will provide an in-depth look at the major MMORPGs scheduled to launch in 2025 and beyond. For ease, we have sorted those into four categories: First, we'll take a look at MMORPGs expected in 2025, i.e. those officially announced as such. Next, we'll consider MMORPGs that could be released in 2025, but this is speculation given the level of information and communication on these projects. After that, we'll examine MMORPGs explicitly announced for 2026 or later. Finally, we'll check MMORPG projects that are still in the early development stage, most of which we know little about.

MMORPGs expected for 2025

Dune: Awakening

• Publisher: Funcom 
• Developer: Funcom 
• Gameplay: Action combat with survival mechanics 
• Content: PvPvE 
• Genre: Survival MMO
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S 
• Release window: PC Early Access launching early 2025

Dune: Awakening is defined as a survival MMO set on the unforgiving desert planet Arrakis.  The players crash-land in the Hagga Basin and begins his journey by gathering resources and crafting his first foothold.  As he progresses, he visits the Deep Desert, where he will find PvPvE interactions and the valuable “spice”.  Deep Desert is a zone where PvP is always active, where players can fight with each other on the occasion of organic events such as spice explosions or starship crashes. 

Chrono Odyssey

• Publisher: Kakao Games 
• Developer: Chrono Studio (Npixel)
• Gameplay: Action combat with time manipulation mechanics 
• Content: PvE (might have limited PvP) 
• Genre: Speculatively a Theme Park 
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S 
• Release window: 3rd quarter of 2025

Chrono Odyssey, originally announced in 2020, will take us to the world of Setera, where time manipulation seems to have a huge role. With six classes and multiple weapons at our disposal, customization should be a big part of Chrono Odyssey. Players will experience dynamic worlds that change with the seasons and time of day. Also, those who enjoy PvE will be able to experience dungeons and raids as it’s the developer’s focus.  Although the game is Korean, its monetization model is reportedly designed for Western audiences, foregoing predatory pay-to-win mechanics in favor of buy-to-play.

Aion 2

• Publisher: NCSoft 
• Developer: NCSoft 
• Gameplay: Reportedly  "different from other NCsoft games" 
• Content: PvE-focused 
• Genre: Unknown 
• Platforms: PC, Mobile 
• Release window: 2nd semester of 2025

Although intended as a sequel to the first Aion, Aion 2 will focus on PvE for accessibility and in anticipation of Western expectations. NCSoft is planning to launch a marketing campaign in early 2025, but there are serious concerns about the balance to be found between PC and mobile platforms. To make matters worse, the game will have a monetization system similar to the one of Throne and Liberty.

Pioner

• Publisher: GFA Games
• Developer: GFA Games
• Gameplay: First Person Shooter
• Content: PvE and PvP 
• Genre: MMOFPS
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S 
• Release window: 2025

Initially announced for 2024 this open-world MMOFPS set on a post-apocalyptic island in an alternate reality will finally be released in 2025. This immersive, realistic shooter features both PvE and PvP on a map covering more than 50km². Social interaction is described as central, with the possibility to join clans to take part in community dynamics. These clans are presumably tied in to the competitive aspect of the game.

Corepunk

• Publisher: Artificial Core 
• Developer: Artificial Core 
• Gameplay: Top-down action with RPG elements 
• Content: PvE and PvP 
• Genre: Sandpark 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: By the end of 2025 (planned end of current Early Access)

Corepunk has entered Early Access in late 2024. The game features a top-down view and hardcore mechanics. For instance, the player is tasked with completing quests that do not have any marks. As gathering is an important part of Corepunk, resources are often needed in order to complete the objectives. Although some Early Access feedback has reported the game’s charm, some systems still seem too rough to get players really involved.

Pax Dei

• Publisher: Mainframe Industries and New Tales
• Developer: Mainframe Industries
• Gameplay: Action combat
• Content: Player-driven world-building and crafting with PvP
• Genre: Sandbox
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Mid-2025 (planned end of current Early Access)

In Early Access since mid-2024, Pax Dei is a medieval MMORPG that promotes socializing and collaboration. In Pax Dei, players build their settlements, establish trade routes, collect  and manage resources and involve in PvP confrontations.  Instead of following a traditional quest-based structure, the game creates stories based on player actions. Pax Dei’s developers hope to grant players more agency, notably through community-driven governance.

Camelot Unchained

• Publisher: Unchained Entertainment 
• Developer: Unchained Entertainment 
• Gameplay: Tab-targeting with large-scale PvP 
• Content: PvP-focused 
• Genre: Old School Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Late 2025

Pitched as a spiritual successor of Dark Age of Camelot, this PvP-centric MMORPG has seen numerous delays since its crowdfunding campaign that began in 2013. Developer Mark Jacobs recently reaffirmed the status of the game in a letter to the community as well as a planned launch for late 2025. This information comes after major improvements to the game engine, which is now reportedly able to support the large-scale engagements that were the cornerstone of the project. While this announcement seems interesting, we remain skeptical about it; the videos and feedback to date is far off from the monumental promise of the project (not even mentioning Final Stand: Ragnarök). In addition, development has gone so long that it could reasonably be presumed that the game is already outdated.

Ship of Heroes

• Publisher: Heroic Games
• Developer: Heroic Games
• Gameplay: Action combat with customizable powers
• Content: PvE-focused
• Genre: sci-fi MMORPG with magic
• Platforms: PC

Release window: 2nd quarter of 2025

Launching in the 2nd quarter of 2025, Ship of Heroes is a superhero MMORPG with strong PvE emphasis which takes place in a world of magic and technology with alien species. Players take on the role of iconic superheroes, whose objective is to fight powerful enemies and protect the peace of the universe. The game has 5 archetypes and more than 250 powers to choose from to customize your character. It also features single-player and “supergroup” housing. Ship of Heroes will be monetized through a straightforward purchase-and-subscription model.

MMORPGs potentially launching in 2025

Brighter Shores

• Publisher: Fen Research Limited
• Developer: Fen Research Limited
• Gameplay: Point-and-click
• Content: Professions-focused
• Genre: Sandbox
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Possibly launching in 2025 (currently under Early Access)

Recently released in Early Access, Brighter Shores is a profession-focused Sandbox MMORPG created by Andrew Gower, one of the co-creators of Runescape. With its point-and-click gameplay, Brighter Shores is not without reminding about its spiritual predecessor. The game operates in episodes, each with its own quests and professions to develop. The first two episodes are available for free, then an optional subscription is available to discover the rest.

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile

• Publisher: Square Enix
• Developer: Lightspeed Studios (Tencent subsidiary)
• Gameplay: Adapted for mobile devices
• Content: PvE-focused
• Genre: Theme Park
• Platforms: Mobile
• Release window: Possibly launching in 2025

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, developed by Tencent's Lightspeed Studios in cooperation with Square Enix, will bring the popular MMORPG to mobile platforms. This version is a stand-alone experience, unlike the PC and console versions.  The game features a new control system optimized for touch screens. It also retains the classic classes of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn. A test phase will take place in China before the worldwide release.

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen

• Publisher: Visionary Realms 
• Developer: Visionary Realms 
• Gameplay: Tab-targeting with group-focused mechanics 
• Content: PvE-focused 
• Genre: Old School Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Possibly launching in 2025 (currently in Early Access)

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen is shaping up to be the MMORPG for classic MMORPG fans. It focuses on cooperation, slow-paced gameplay, and a strong social aspect. The full release of the game will depend on feedback, as it has been in early access since earlier this month.

The Quinfall

• Publisher: Vawraek Technology 
• Developer: Vawraek Technology 
• Gameplay: Action combat 
• Content: PvE and PvP
• Genre: Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Possibly launching in 2025 (entering Early Access soon)

The Quinfall will launch in Early Access on January 25, offering players a massive 2,016 km² open world with dynamic weather, seasonal changes etc… Initially criticized for its heavy reliance on Unity Store assets, Vawraek Technologies justified this as a time-saving measure to focus on gameplay systems. As early access begins, it remains to be proven that these ambitions have actually translated into an immersive sandbox experience.

Anvil Empires

• Publisher: Siege Camp 
• Developer: Siege Camp 
• Gameplay: Point-and-click 
• Content: Large-scale PvP with territorial control
• Genre: Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Possibly launching in 2025

Foxhole's creators have now come up with Anvil Empires on the same model, but in a medieval theme. Anvil Empire focuses on territorial control and strategy over a period of several weeks. Players cooperate and compete in massive alliances to conquer the opposing side of the map. Foxhole and Anvil Empire are quite similar, featuring massive battles with hundreds of players.

Perfect New World

• Publisher: PERFECT WORLD GAMES
• Developer: IRONCORE GAME STUDIO
• Gameplay: Action combat 
• Content: The Steam page mentions mainly PvE and some PvP
• Genre: Unknown 
• Platforms: Consoles, Mobile , PC
• Release Window: Possibly launching in 2025 

Perfect New World belongs to the fantasy MMORPG category and is set in the universe of the original Perfect World game. Perfect New World combines oriental aesthetics with modern game mechanics. According to the Perfect World Game Strategy Conference from April 2021, at which the game was announced, priority is being given to console platforms, followed by PC.  The game will feature a mix of PvE and PvP functionality, including dungeons. From May 4 to 9, 2023, hand-picked players took part in an “exploratory beta” phase, about which we have no further information. Although the game will be launched worldwide, no release date has been given.

Bellatores

• Publisher: Nyou 
• Developer: Nyou 
• Gameplay: Tab-targeting with large-scale PvP 
• Content: PvP-focused 
• Genre: Sandpark 
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Possibly launching in 2025

Bellatores depicts an old-school PvP MMORPG, inspired by the Game of Thrones atmosphere, with its inter-faction conflicts (large family “Houses” in the game lore). The game features faction-based gameplay, siege battles and constantly active PvP. Although we've been hearing about Bellatores for several years, we currently have very little information or images.

MMORPGs targeting 2026 and beyond

ArcheAge Chronicles (previously ArcheAge 2)

• Publisher: Kakao Games
• Developer: XL Games 
• Gameplay: Action combat 
• Content: PvE with minor PvP 
• Genre: Theme Park 
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S 
• Release window: Summer 2026

Renewing the ArcheAge franchise, this game abandons large-scale open-world PvP for narrative gameplay and cooperative PvE experiences. a is designed to appeal to both Eastern and Western audiences, thanks to refined graphics and a simpler progression process. Despite the recent announcement of a 2025 release date, the game has finally been pushed back to 2026.

Star Resonance (formerly Blue Protocol)

• Publisher: Tencent
• Developer: Bokura (Tencent subsidiary)
• Gameplay: Dynamic combat and enhanced character customization
• Content: PvE-focused with guild systems
• Genre: Anime-Style MMORPG
• Platforms: PC, Mobile
• Release window: Undefined

Initially called Blue Protocol, Star Resonance is Tencent's remake of Bandaï Namco's original franchise. This version should bring a host of improvements over the canceled one. In particular, it will feature dynamic combat, more advanced character customization, and extended guild features such as dedicated zones and activities. Bandai Namco and Tencent share the common goal of improving the experience of anime-style MMORPGs. As a result, the game is opening up even further, becoming a truly open world with fewer loading screens. A test phase for China is currently being prepared, with gameplay footage expected to be unveiled soon, as there is no NDA. The game's features look good, but the economic model has yet to be determined (especially as this new version will also be available on mobile).

Tactan: Knights of the Gods “ProjectG”

• Publisher: NCSoft
• Developer: NCSoft
• Gameplay: Strategy-based
• Content: PvE and PvP, but more likely to be PvP-focused endgame
• Genre: RTS MMO
• Platforms: PC, Mobile
• Release window: Undefined

Tactan: Knights of the Gods, also known by its former code name Project G, is a real-time strategy MMO developed by NCSoft. In keeping with the RTS genre, the game invites players to amass resources, defend their strongholds, and conquer enemy territories, all while utilising a variety of units and employing complex strategies. NCSoft also draws on its MMO experience to bring large-scale battles to the table. The game is scheduled to be released on PC and mobiles, and aims to integrate crossplay.

Ashes of Creation

• Publisher: Intrepid Studios 
• Developer: Intrepid Studios 
• Gameplay: Hybrid combat 
• Content: PvX (PvE and PvP intertwined) 
• Genre: Sandpark 
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Undefined

After years in development, Ashes of Creation hit a major step in late 2024 with the launch of its Alpha 2 phase. The game's innovative node system allows players to shape the world's political landscape. While the scale and ambition of the project excite many players, the launch of Alpha 2, unfortunately, saw considerable discrepancies between the presentation live streams and the playable version of the game. We hope that further development will bridge this gap.

Stars Reach

• Publisher: Playable Worlds
• Developer: Playable Worlds
• Gameplay: Action arcade combat
• Content: Terraforming and player-driven economy 
• Genre: Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Undefined

Stars Reach is a sci-fi MMORPG developed by Playable Worlds studio, which is announced as one of the most immersive MMOs ever created.  Inspired by games like Star Wars Galaxies, Stars Reach propels players into a vast galactic universe where every action has a direct impact on the environment. One of the game’s most innovative elements is the world creation, which combines manual and generative AI aspects to create a galaxy entirely made by the players. The gameplay offers an extensive sandbox experience, with terraforming mechanics used to modify landscapes, including a riverbed, and permanently alter a planet. The game’s economic system promises to be just as elaborate as the social one, with interplanetary resources and markets driven by the decisions of the players.

Bitcraft

• Publisher: Clockwork Labs
• Developer: Clockwork Labs
• Gameplay: It may not yet be implemented
• Content: Collaborative city-building in a shared world
• Genre: Survival crafting MMORPG
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Undefined

In the game Bitcraft, players can explore a vast, procedurally-generated world to create a civilization from scratch. After starting with campgrounds, cooperative gameplay allows small settlements to grow into villages, cities, and eventually empires. These last will be the late-game content. The main gameplay of Bitcraft is about building, farming, trading, and exploring, all in a “dreamy” place that encourages interactions. The game mainly focuses on creating a world together and building an economy. The sandbox layout of the game invites to a contemplative approach.

Mortal Exodus

• Publisher: Star Vault 
• Developer: Star Vault
• Gameplay: Speculatively a directional combat
• Content: PvP-focused 
• Genre: Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Undefined

Mortal Exodus, the new project from the developers of Mortal Online 2, moves from fantasy to science fiction. Although nothing is yet known about the game's characteristics, it is expected to feature deep resource systems and PvP combat in a spatial environment.

Profane

• Publisher: Insane
• Developer: Insane
• Gameplay: Action combat
• Content: Territorial domination, open PvP
• Genre: A player-driven Sandbox
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Undefined

Profane is a sandbox MMORPG created by the Brazilian studio Insane. The game is based on an open world with a strong PvP aspect. The aim is to create a different style of leveling. There are no classes or levels, just players who progress by mastering their weapons and/or skills.  Profane was launched in alpha in October 2021, but various problems caused delays in the game's testing phases. However, alpha sessions resumed in October 2023, starting with Brazilian players and then being extended to North American players.  Players will be able to access Profane through a free-to-play model, with no subscription services to pay for. Only cosmetic items will be chargeable. The game's text, subtitles, and voice-overs will all be in English and Portuguese, given the title's Brazilian origins. As it develops, Profane draws attention to its sandbox, PvP, and exploration mechanics. The release date is not yet known.

Star Citizen

• Publisher: Cloud Imperium Games
• Developer: Cloud Imperium Games
• Gameplay: FPS with spaceships
• Content: PvX
• Genre: Sandbox Space Opera 
• Platforms: PC
• Release window: Unknown 

Star Citizen is a very ambitious space opera sandbox project. The MMORPG is known for its successful crowdfunding, which recently broke the $750 million mark! This space simulation by Chris Roberts (creator of Wing Commander) is set to take you into a vast, persistent universe in which you can travel by ship, harvest, fight, etc. Off-ship gameplay is portrayed in a first-person view. The game is already available for playtesting if you're willing to pay the price. Star Citizen recently went into Alpha 4.0, showcasing its pyro system and cutting-edge server meshing technology. While the scale of this project is very exciting, it should be noted that Star Citizen has been in development since 2011, and Cloud Imperium Games is not without its difficulties

MMORPG projects in the early stages of development

Horizon MMO “Project Skyline”

• Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment 
• Developer: NCSoft 
• Gameplay: Unknown
• Content: Unknown
• Genre: Unknown 
• Platforms: PC, Mobile (probably PlayStation 5 as well, but still to be confirm)
• Release window: Undefined

The Horizon MMO which has a code name called Project Skyline is a collaboration between Sony and NCsoft based on Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn franchise. Last year, we learned that there are over 140 developers involved, even this early. Although we do not have a release date yet, it is slated to release after Aion 2, which is currently scheduled for 2025. It makes Project Skyline a major title for NCsoft’s post-2025 games.

Project LLL

• Publisher: NCSoft
• Developer: NCSoft
• Gameplay: Third-person shooter MMO
• Content: PvE and PvPvE with persistent objectives
• Genre: Unknown
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Release window: Undefined

Project LLL is set in a dystopian universe with great detail, historical and futuristic aspects. Inspired by the Byzantine Empire of the 10th century and a post-apocalypse version of Seoul overrun with hordes of mutants. The amalgamation of timelines arises from a past event that drastically affects the future. Project LLL gives players a beautiful-looking environment while marrying its dynamic third-person shooting mechanics to an MMORPG. The game combines both co-op PvE and competitive PvPvE gameplay in a large narrative world. As NCSoft takes a step outside its usual fantasy RPG offerings, Project LLL is poised to become a standout entry in the sci-fi MMO genre.

Project Ghost

• Publisher: NetEase
• Developer: Fantastic Pixel Castle 
• Gameplay: Hybrid combat 
• Content: PvX 
• Genre: Hybrid Theme Park/Survival Sandbox 
• Platforms: PC 
• Release window: Undefined

Greg "Ghostcrawler" Street leads Project Ghost, a game consisting of both handcrafted theme park and procedural sandbox maps. Even though the project is still in the early stage, it is already getting a lot of attention for its genre-blending nature, but also because of Greg Street's reputation (World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, Riot Games' MMORPG).

Zenimax Online Studios' Unnamed MMO

• Publisher: Bethesda Softworks 
• Developer: ZeniMax Online Studios 
• Gameplay: Unknown 
• Content: Unknown 
• Genre: Unknown  
• Platforms: Unknown 
• Release window: Undefined

ZeniMax Online Studios is creating a new MMORPG, and we know (very) little about the project. The first signs of development appeared at the end of 2020, when the expansion of the team began through job offers (which gave a small glimpse of the project). Although official information is limited, there is already a great deal of speculation about the potential of such a project.

Amazon's Lord of the Rings MMO

• Publisher: Amazon Games 
• Developer: Amazon Games 
• Gameplay: Unknown 
• Content: Unknown 
• Genre: Unknown  
• Platforms: Unknown 
• Release window: Undefined

In a collaboration with Embracer Group's Middle-earth Enterprises, Amazon Games is working on a Lord of the Rings MMORPG. The game will feature a persistent open world inspired by the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien, drawing on the stories and locations of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The studio that worked on New World, Amazon Games Orange County, is currently in early production on the game.  

Warhammer MMO by Jackalyptic Games

• Publisher: NetEase 
• Developer: Jackalyptic Games 
• Gameplay: Unknown 
• Content: Unknown 
• Genre: Unknown  
• Platforms: Unknown 
• Release window: Undefined

Jackalyptic Games (formerly Jackalope Games) is developing a new Warhammer MMORPG with the support of NetEase.  The game, directed by Jack Emmert - known for his work on City of Heroes, Neverwinter and Star Trek Online - will pay tribute to the superb Warhammer universe. Although we don't know many details, we do know that it will be primarily a PvE game. It's a bold decision, but one that's in line with the most popular MMORPGs of the moment. We don't yet know which Warhammer setting the game will fit into.

“Guild Wars 3”

• Publisher: NCSoft 
• Developer: ArenaNet 
• Gameplay: Unknown  
• Content: Unknown 
• Genre: Unknown  
• Platforms: Unknown (Presumably at least PC)
• Release window: Undefined

Guild Wars 3 is said to be under development by ArenaNet, with NCsoft presumably greenlighting the project. Although there is little information on Guild Wars 3, it is assumed that ArenaNet has been working for several years on an “unannounced project”, which would be based on a “well-established fantasy license”. With Guild Wars 2 now over 10 years old, it would make sense to create a third installment in the franchise, especially as NCsoft looks to strengthen its presence in the West. Fans of the franchise are eager to see what ArenaNet will bring to the Guild Wars universe in this new opus. 

Riot Games’ MMORPG

• Publisher: Riot Games 
• Developer: Riot Games 
• Gameplay: Unknown
• Content: Unknown
• Genre: Unknown
• Platforms: Unknown
• Release window: Undefined

Taking place in the League of Legends universe, this ambitious MMORPG was given a project reset in 2024, as well as the departure of Greg Street (it’s former game director), now founder of Fantastic Pixel Castle).  Riot’s successful games like League of Legends and Valorant drives up expectation for this new MMORPG, but there is currently no substantial information.

Everquest Reboot Project “Everquest 3”

• Publisher: Enad Global 7 
• Developer: Enad Global 7 
• Gameplay: Unknown 
• Content: Unknown
• Genre: Unknown 
• Platforms: Unknown (Presumably at least PC)
• Release window: Targeted for 2028

Development of an all-new Everquest MMO has been confirmed, according to the latest updates from Enad Global 7. The game aims to modernize the classic Everquest franchise by updating graphics, gameplay and overall aesthetics.  Although the game is still in its early stages, the intention is to give long-time fans a sense of familiarity, while incorporating updated mechanics that appeal to a wider audience.

In case you're wondering what the name of the new Everquest will be, the developers are reluctant to call it Everquest 3, as they don't want to make the same mistake as with Everquest 2, which wasn't as successful as expected. This new version retains the fundamental principles that made the first Everquest such a success, while adding a number of modern features. Many people are waiting to hear more about the game's development. Unfortunately, at this early stage of development, fans can expect little news or visuals for some time to come.

What are you excited about?

As we head towards 2025, the MMORPG genre continues to evolve in more or less surprising ways. While, unsurprisingly, the trend for MMORPGs to be exported to console and mobile platforms is growing, we're also seeing the emergence of a new phenomenon: the blending of genres.

As seen, games such as Dune: Awakening, BitCraft, and Project Ghost, are mixing elements of survival with MMO gameplay, when other titles such as Project LLL and Tactan: Knights of the Gods explore new territory by blending TPS, RTS and MMO. Personally, I find this intriguing and I’m even planning to spend a good part of my 2025 gaming time on Dune: Awakening. 

Another less cheerful aspect is the fact that Throne and Liberty has set a precedent in terms of an ‘innovative’ monetization system. Without going into detail, TL monetization unfortunately appears to be more acceptable to many players, including traditional PC players. I'm afraid that such P2W system is going to be adopted even more now, and even end up becoming a standard for players and developers alike...

Hopefully such a model won't become too popular. Despite this, I think there is at least one thing or two to look forward to for anyone right now, whether you’re into big-budget games, niche experiences, or hybrid experiments. As always, let us know what catch your attention!