Features

Columns

• The 10 Greatest MMORPG Heroes of All Time

  For our next two lists, we’ll be diving into the NPCs of our favorite MMORPGs to find the best heroes and villains across the genre. This week, we’re starting with the good guys, picking our 10 favorite MMORPG heroes of all time.

  Posted on 10/13/2017 by William Murphy

• The 10 Best Story-Driven MMOs of All Time

  This week we’re ranking the 10 best story-driven MMOs of all time. That means we’re going to try and put numbers on feelings we all have for the narratives we play through when we’re living in these virtual worlds. It’s a tall order, and one we’re sure you’ll have some mixed emotions over. Without further ado, here are our 10 Best Story Driven MMOs of All Time.

  Posted on 10/03/2017 by William Murphy

• Five Great Ideas from DDO & LOTRO

  With the recent news that Standing Stone Games will be taking over LOTRO and DDO we thought to look into some of the great ideas that came from these two MMOs. Daybreak is now publishing the titles as Turbine has spun them off into their own studio - Standing Stone Games. For the fans this means more content, a solid service team, and a studio now directly dedicated to these two titles. Both MMOs continue to have a solid community and here are some of the reasons why.

  Posted on 12/20/2016 by Garrett Fuller

• My Top 3 Memorable MMORPGs

  After last week’s feedback on the Console RPG reboot list Rob is back with a list of the top 3 MMO’s that have left a lasting impression on him.

  Posted on 02/18/2016 by Robert Lashley

• MMOs for Explorers

  In this new column we’re calling The Playlist, we seek to be your MMO Spotify. We want to curate lists of games for all kinds of player types or interests. To start off, we’re going to focus on the best games out there for all kinds of explorers. If you love getting lost in a world, seeing whatever is over the next mountain, we hope to give you quite a few games to check out.

  Posted on 02/17/2016 by William Murphy

• The Five Best MMOs for New Players

  Jumping into a new MMO can be an intimidating experience for even the most seasoned players, especially those who have little familiarity with MMORPGs in general. Most of us on the site play MMOs like doing so is our job, and yet there are still some times when I start up a new game, or an existing one that I haven’t touched in a while, and feel the familiar sense of panic when I see how many skills or activities are available.

  Posted on 09/28/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• May the Orcs Be With You

  While May the Fourth might be considered a Star Wars holiday due to the pun (“May the Fourth be with you!”), it's also the day that Lord of the Rings Online publisher Turbine intends on launching Update 16, titled The Ashes of Osgiliath. In preparation of this launch, Community Manager Andy Cataldo facilitated a livestream preview for the public. We were there and brought back this report!

  Posted on 05/01/2015 by Jean Prior

• Three Things LOTRO Does Right

  Although I haven’t played The Lord of the Rings Online since about the Siege of Mirkwood / Rise of Isengard era, there was a time when it was my go-to MMORPG regardless of what else I was playing. I’ve spent countless hours in Turbine’s representation of Middle-earth, and find that I still measure other MMOs up against the quality of their flagship title.

  Posted on 04/17/2015 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Selling Convenience vs. Content

  As far as free-to-play monetization models go, there are a couple of different overarching strategies that dominate today’s market. You have games like ArcheAge, which offers convenience bonuses like elevated experience gain, increased labor points, and more. You can see titles like The Lord of the Rings Online steadily offering some convenience and cosmetic items in their cash shops but doing a great deal of business selling content through quests and expansions.

  Posted on 10/24/2014 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• Why Do You Craft?

  Crafting has never been one of my favorite things to do in MMOs. I spent an inordinate amount of time mining and engineering in vanilla World of Warcraft, and put about the same effort into Prospecting and Tinkering in The Lord of the Rings Online. Heck, I even (completely ridiculously) fully committed to Fable 2’s crafting minigame, and did my best to keep up with Alchemy and Smithing in Skyrim.

  Posted on 09/19/2014 by Som Pourfarzaneh

• 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

• Social Hooks & MMOs

  How many people do you interact with reasonably often in your current MMO? How many of those people are outside of your guild? Assuming you have played MMO’s for awhile, is your pattern of socialization today similar to that back when you started?

  Posted on 07/02/2014 by Ryahl Smith

• The Best MMOs of 2013

  As we embark on an exciting new year of MMO releases, we reflect back on the year that was. Though 2013 was light on new MMOs, it was filled to the brim with games fighting for our attention. Patch after patch hit our newsreels. Games such as EVE Online and Lord of the Rings Online spun heads with their expansions. Two of the bigger new games, Final Fantasy XIV and Neverwinter, both impressed and addicted us. Today we reflect on the best. Join us as we countdown the top ten Best MMOs of 2013.

  Posted on 01/10/2014 by Christopher Coke

• Terrible, Horrible Vertical Expansions

  Vertical expansions, those pesky expansions that create barriers to entry for new players starting at ground zero. In our latest Tourist, we take a look at the phenomenon and offer a unique perspective. Read on and then leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 11/22/2013 by Christopher Coke

• The Top Five MMOs for Mac Gamers

  There's no question that Mac users get the short end of the stick when it comes to MMOs. In The List today, we take a look at five terrific MMOs that Mac players can shine in. Read more before leaving your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 10/25/2013 by Pete Schwab

• The Curious Case of Lord of the Rings Online

  Lord of the Rings Online is one of the more well-known MMOs, even given its advancing age. The latest expansion has come out but is time running out on Turbine's license? In today's Tourist, we take a look at LOTRO and implications for the future. Read on before heading to the comments to join the discussion.

  Posted on 09/27/2013 by Christopher Coke

• Wayback Wednesday: LotRO Galore

  In our first Wayback Wednesday of 2013, we take a look at Lord of the Rings Online, a perennial favorite around here. Rob takes a look at a few parting goodies the team let out there before heading out for the holidays. Find out what's in store for LOTRO players as 2013 gets underway. Leave your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 01/09/2013 by Robert Lashley

• On MMOs Going Solo

  According to our latest Devil's Advocate, there is an increasingly prevalent trend for many MMOs to incorporate solo experiences into what is supposed to be a social experience. Whether or not this is a good things will be left to you decide so keep reading! Add your voice to the conversation in the comments.

  Posted on 09/26/2012 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• The MMOlympics

  2012 is an Olympic year with athletes from around the world gathering in London to compete for the 'best in the world' title. But what about us? What about those of us who let our characters strut their prowess? Don't we deserve an MMOlympics? We think so and have The List of events we'd like to see included. Read on!

  Posted on 08/07/2012 by Suzie Ford

• What's for Sale and What's at Stake

  Cash shops in our MMOs are fast becoming the norm whether in free to play titles or in full blow subscription titles. In today's Devil's Advocate, we take a look at the phenomenon and its repercussions. See what you think and then discuss it in the comments.

  Posted on 07/04/2012 by Victor Barreiro Jr.

• Post-PAX East Thoughts

  Now that we are almost two weeks past PAX East, it's time to wrap up our coverage with some thoughts about the things we both saw and heard during the annual convention. Keep reading and then leave us your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 04/17/2012 by William Murphy

• Let There Be ORCS

  Orcs seem to infest every RPG, or at least every fantasy RPG, that we play. In today's List, we take a look at the worst of the worst in Orc-land. Read on and see what you think!

  Posted on 04/16/2012 by Garrett Fuller

• Update 6 - Soldiers on the Landscape

  Turbine recently released Update 6 which gives players a lot of new territory to explore in the Great River Region. We've got a preview of what players can expect. Read on!

  Posted on 03/05/2012 by Dylan Grozdanich

• Mounted Combat: A PVP Success?

  One of the more exciting features to be announced for the Riders of Rohan expansion to Lord of the Rings Online is mounted combat. This has gotten a lot of players very excited yet some wonder whether it will make it into LOTRO's version of PvP, Monster Play. Read on and then weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 02/15/2012 by Guest Writer

• The Lost Sense of Journey

  In his latest column, MMORPG.com Managing Editor Bill Murphy takes a look at the opposing ideas that we have both gained and lost parts of the journey within the MMOs we love to play. See what Bill's got to say and then let us know what you think in the comments.

  Posted on 12/26/2011 by William Murphy

• The Real Top 10 MMOs of 2012

  It's hard to accurately predict what will be popular in the MMO-space these days. Last week, we took a look at a 2009 piece predicting the success of certain MMOs in 2012 that...ain't gonna make it. In The List today, MMORPG.com Managing Editor dons the swami's hat and prognosticates about 2012 and what he believes will be the real success stories of the year. Read on!

  Posted on 08/23/2011 by William Murphy

• Me and My MMOs

  In today's Player Perspectives column, readers get a rare inside look at the MMOs that have shaped those perspectives for MMORPG.com columnist Isabelle Parsley. They've winked and snuggled and finally drawn her into their ever-lovin' arms. Read on to see which MMOs have captured Iz's attention and heart over the years and then let us know what you think!

  Posted on 06/03/2011 by Isabelle Parsley

• 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

• What’s Wrong With Entertainment?

  In today's MMO world, there are two sub-genres whose fans are in constant battle with one another: Theme Park vs Sandbox. We've all seen the arguments raging back and forth. In today's column, MMORPG.com Lead Writer Bill Murphy tackles the issue of theme parks as entertainment and wonders why those who are waiting for THE sandbox title to emerge don't take advantage. See what you think and then lend your thoughts in the comments.

  Posted on 04/07/2011 by William Murphy

• Bang for Your Buck: LotRO

  In the second installment of Adam Tingle's Bang for Your Buck series, Lord of the Rings falls under the microscope. The goal of BFYB is to find a "free to play game" that is truly, or at least mostly, F2P. See how Lord of the Rings Online measures up to Bang for Your Buck. Leave us your thoughts in the comments when you're through!

  Posted on 02/25/2011 by Adam Tingle

• The Quiz: Expansions Edition

  With this week's launch of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, MMORPG.com's Drew Wood figured that expansion packs would be a terrific subject for today's Quiz. So sit back, see how you do and let us know what you think in our forums!

  Posted on 12/08/2010 by Drew Wood

• Looking up from the Grindstone

  In her latest Player Perspectives column, MMORPG.com's Isabelle Parsley takes a look at what some call the 'grind' in MMOs and that, just maybe, it's not as bad as it's been portrayed. Whether it's collecting materials for crafting or finishing that 'kill 10,000 orcs' achievement, there is something to be said for 'grinding'. See if you agree...or not...and then leave a comment below.

  Posted on 12/03/2010 by Isabelle Parsley

• F2P Survivor Guy & LOTRO

  MMORPG.com writer Adam Tingle has been on a quest to find great free-to-play games. Delving into our site's Game List, Adam has spent time playing F2P games, both good and not so good. This week, Adam takes time to look at Lord of the Rings Online, recently turned F2P by Warner Interactive and Turbine. See what Adam thinks of Middle Earth in its newest incarnation and whether or not it is worthy of your time.

  Posted on 09/30/2010 by Adam Tingle

• Fighting Talk: Old vs New MMOs Part 3

  In Part I and Part II of Adam Tingle's Fighting Talk: Old vs New MMOs, "experienced" games were pitted against "the new kids on the block" in categories including community, solo play, instances and more. In today's installment of the three-part look at Old vs New MMOs, Adam discusses Guilds, Crafting and the Time Sink factor. See which group comes out victorious (for today)! Let us know your thoughts, as always, on the forums!

  Posted on 09/24/2010 by Adam Tingle

• PAX Prime 2010

  MMORPG.com's Angie Webb recently had the opportunity to attend PAX Prime in Seattle, Washington. In today's article, Angie talks about PAX Prime and her impressions of several games as well as some general thoughts about PAX Prime and about the convention season. Check it out and then jump into the conversation on our forums.

  Posted on 09/21/2010 by Angie Webb

• More F2P for the West?

  With the conversion of three of popular western titles (DDO, Everquest 2 and Lord of the Rings Online), Richard Aihoshi wonders in this week's Free Zone column whether or not more 'western' development companies will start to develop free to play games from the outset. See what Richard thinks and then add your thoughts on the forums!

  Posted on 09/13/2010 by Richard Aihoshi

• Questions About F2P Conversions

  In this week's installment of Free Zone, MMORPG.com columnist Richard Aihoshi considers the conversion of several subscription titles to free-to-play games. What does it mean when a 'premium' game goes F2P? Richard examines this question and others. Keep reading!

  Posted on 08/30/2010 by Richard Aihoshi

• Fighting Talk: LoTRO vs. WoW

  In his latest article, MMORPG.com writer Adam Tingle pits Blizzard's World of Warcraft against Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online. It's a battle royale comparing all aspects of the games, from graphics to PvP to community. Find out which one Adam thinks comes out on top and then add your thoughts. Them's fightin' words, baby!

  Posted on 08/26/2010 by Adam Tingle

• Why You Should Embrace the F2P Movement

  Today's The List column is a provocative look at the free to play movement in games these days. MMORPG.com writer Bill Murphy has four reasons why you need to embrace the F2P movement. See if you agree or disagree.

  Posted on 07/29/2010 by William Murphy

• LARP & Player Generated Content

  In this week's column, MMORPG.com writer Angie Webb tackles LARP, or Live Action Role Playing and the tie-in with MMOs. Angie calls "LARPers" the "geekiest of the geeks in the gamer world". She's got some fascinating thoughts about LARP, MMOs and player generated content. Check it out!

  Posted on 07/20/2010 by Angie Webb

• Five Reasons to Be Concerned about LotRO F2P

  MMORPG.com's Bill Murphy writes the companion to his previous "Five Reasons to be Excited about LotRO F2P", examining the other side of the coin.

  Posted on 06/25/2010 by William Murphy

• Freebird!

  MMORPG.com columnist Justin Webb writes this article on the music system in Lord of the Rings Online and how social only features in MMOs are hard to come by.

  Posted on 01/19/2010 by Justin Webb

• Top 10 MMOs Since WoW

  World of Warcraft changed the MMO landscape on November 23rd, 2004, but 174 MMOs have come out since that fateful day. We rank them.

  Posted on 10/13/2009 by Dana Massey

• Five Possible MMO Movies

  In this week's list, Jon Wood looks at the idea that a successful Warcraft movie could set off a rash of MMO-based films and gives his ideas on five that could be likely candidates.

  Posted on 09/15/2009 by Jon Wood