Eve Online
Release: May 6, 2003 | Platform: PC, macOS | Setting: SciFi | Developer, Publisher: CCP Games | Here is the official website of Eve Online
The space MMORPG from CCP Games was long considered the most beautiful Excel sheet for players (since June 2023 even with official Excel integration). Eve Online has nonetheless managed to build a loyal community that is still quite large and active after more than 20 years and has maintained a fascination that still captivates today.
Furthermore, the developers succeed in making their game regularly hit the headlines. Through new announcements for the Eve universe at the annual EVE Fanfest, the regularly released updates, or remarkable events from the player-driven universe. Here is an example:
Since November 2016, Eve Online has a Free2Play model that has been expanded over time. In the sandbox universe, you can expect more than 7,800 solar systems where you can engage in war, politics, trade, piracy, or exploration.
Runescape
Release: January 4, 2001 | Platform: PC, macOS, Android, iOS | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: Jagex | Here is the official website of Runescape
Runescape is a phenomenon. The MMORPG from Runescape has already been around for more than 23 years, and you can see that in the game. Nevertheless, the developers look back on a very successful decade.
Jagex celebrated the most successful year in the company’s history in 2018 because Runescape generated more than 84 million pounds in revenue. In total, more than a billion pounds in revenue has come solely from Runescape. More than 260 million players had registered for the MMORPG by 2018.
This success was supported by the provision of Old School Runescape, mobile adaptations, and the Steam releases of both versions in 2020 and 2021. Despite its old age, both the old school version and the more modern Runescape receive very positive reviews.
The MMORPG oldie shines with its sheer scope, deep mechanics, and enormous freedom. In addition, over time a close bond has developed between developers and the community, which strongly influences the development of new features.
Entropia Universe
Release: January 30, 2003 | Platform: PC | Setting: SciFi | Developer, Publisher: MindArk | Here is the official website of Entropia Universe
The SciFi MMORPG from MindArk was initially called Project Entropia and aimed to offer a virtual experience more than 20 years ago that today would be marketed with Metaverse and implemented with blockchain technology.
On the planets of the universe, it is a significant part about possession and real money trading. One of the more known stories: The British actor Jon Jacobs treated himself to a virtual vacation resort from Entropia Universe for an equivalent of 100,000 US dollars. Through the sale of mining and hunting rights as well as the rental of hotel suites, he reportedly made over a million US dollars.
Apart from trading, hunting, and mining, you can also expect MMO activities such as quests or PvP battles in space. Currently, the developers are also trying to profit from the hype around Helldivers 2 by unleashing invasions of bugs and robots on the players.
