In 2018, only a few new MMORPGs will be released and Bless is in the best position here, believes our author Schuhmann.
MMORPGs that are actually coming out in 2018: The MMO specialist “Fevir” has uploaded a video on YouTube: MMORPGs that are really coming out in 2018. There are two games on his list: Bless and Crowfall. And with Crowfall, he notes: “They need a lot more time.” Great.
And Fevir is right. While there are lists everywhere of MMORPGs to keep an eye on in 2018, hardly any of them will actually be released. Our own list of gaming highlights 2018 is filled with expansions for MMORPGs, games like Conan Exiles and Red Dead Redemption 2, or Bless.
2018: Little New in Sight
Drought Period: It is a strange time to be an MMORPG fan:
- While new MMORPGs are regularly released, they are as indie as “Project Gorgon” or “Tales of Toast“, that hardly anyone cares about
- the established big MMORPGs are all running solidly, bringing new content steadily, but none here is reinventing the genre, the MMORPGs mainly want to give their existing players something to do
- and the most interesting MMORPGs will still take years before they come closer to release: The earliest perhaps is Project TL, an Ashes of Creation, or Lost Ark – otherwise, one is limited to admiring their dream MMORPG from afar while it staggers from Pre-Alpha to Pre-Alpha
And the worst part is: This has not just been the case since 2018, this has essentially been the status of the MMORPG fan since 2015.
MMORPGs are Taking Side Paths
New Paths: We are in a time when MMORPGs are exploring new target groups. Tera recently came to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Almost every MMORPG from NCSoft gets a mobile port. And Black Desert does everything: They are getting a port on PS4, Xbox One, and even a mobile version.
However, most core MMORPG fans on PC simply don’t care. They want a new MMORPG, preferably one focused on PvE.
Bless, the Big Winner – Despite Warning Signs
Huge Opportunity: In fact, Bless could not come out at a better time than May 30, 2018. It has been four years since something in the direction of “PvE MMORPG” has appeared in Europe that had the potential to compete at the top level. The last games were The Elder Scrolls Online and WildStar.
Therefore, many are ready to overlook the problems and warning signs that Bless currently presents:
- The “always active” PvP deters many,
- also the previous record of the game in Russia, South Korea, and Japan is mixed
- Additionally, 3 of the 8 classes will not be playable at launch.
But: Bless looks good, the developers say all the right things, and they have responded reasonably to initial criticisms. Although Bless has existed for years, the promise of a relaunch and a redesign makes it fresh again. Many fans can once again project their hopes onto the game, which still serves as a blank slate for many.
The Unique Aspect of Bless: Neowiz is releasing the game themselves. This leads to quirky events, but at least there is no one interfering with monetization behind the scenes and secretly turning the Pay2Win screw. Problems that plagued other Korean MMORPGs like ArcheAge or Black Desert.
Many will try Bless, simply because the hunger and desire for a new MMORPG are so great. But: The past has shown that while many are willing to give a new game a chance, it must then also convince.
The Hunger for a New MMORPG is Huge
WildStar as a Cautionary Tale: Otherwise, Bless could suffer the same fate as WildStar four years ago. WildStar was actually booked in 2014 as the savior of the MMORPG genre, chosen and selected. And at first, it looked rosy.
But while many bought the game, they did not stay. Countless problems ensured that WildStar could not meet the high expectations that players had projected into the MMORPG for years.
Even then, the hunger for a new game was great for WildStar – Carbine could not seize the opportunity. WildStar tragically sank into oblivion. Since then, we have the mess, and no western publisher dares to touch the hot iron “MMORPG” anymore.
Fingers Crossed for Bless: As a fan of Western MMORPGs, one has since had to place hopes in an Amazon Twitch Experiment or in a still distant Magic MMORPG from the Neverwinter creators.
As an MMORPG fan, you hope that Bless does better now. Because until 2020 is still a damn long way off.
Bless is on our list of the most promising MMORPGs – this is the third consecutive year.
