MMORPGs were particularly the entry point into the hobby for many of the now older gamers. Many of the veterans of the genre have long been forgotten or have died off. However, some old MMORPGs still have fans and are actively played.
The MMORPG genre has changed significantly in recent years. Not only is the graphics newer, but the content often appeals to a new audience. Many love their old favorites so much, that they can only let go with heavy, emotional farewells.
Some MMORPG veterans long for the origins that are supposed to be fulfilled by retro MMOs like Project Gorgon. But there are also alternatives: old games that still exist.
Runescape
| Game Title | Runescape |
| Publisher | Jagex |
| Initial Release | January 2001 (March 2007 in German) |
| Payment System | Free-to-Play |
| Website | Runescape and Runescape Old School |
What is Runescape? Runescape is one of the presumably most well-known and popular MMORPGs in the world. It is also one of the oldest MMORPGs that are still being played. It is considered one of the founding fathers of the modern MMORPG genre.
Runescape is a fantasy MMORPG set in a pseudo-medieval world. Players traverse the world in an isometric perspective with sword and magic, exploring, defeating enemies, and crafting.
Runescape has received many updates over the years that have also adjusted the graphics. However, this has ultimately reduced the number of players. In response, Runescape Old School was released, which represents an exact copy of the state of 2007 and is playable in the browser. There is now even a mobile version of Runescape.
This is how active the community is: Runescape is likely one of the most played “old” MMORPGs. According to the website misplaceditems, approximately 25,000 people actively play Runescape. For Runescape Old School, it’s even 100,000. (Estimated numbers from the graph)
Particularly active is the community of Runescape in Northern Europe, North America, and in Venezuela, where some even farm gold to avoid starvation.
The players of Runescape not only provide entertaining posts, but also memes. The community around Runescape actively creates content.
Are there still updates? Yes, both Runescape and Runescape Old School are continuously supplied with new content by the developers. Old School had a “Quality of Life” update just on February 28, 2019. Runescape itself received a new dungeon on February 25.
Runescape is worth it for you if
- You like isometric graphics
- You prefer medieval “low fantasy” with sword and magic
- You are looking for a screen crowded with many players at the same time
