Anarchy Online, 2001
The game from Norway is no longer just fantasy, but science fiction with technical aspects and takes place 30,000 years in the future. The background world is detailed and the options in character generation are dizzyingly high.
Through the dynamic mission system, one can create their own quests and determine factors such as difficulty, whether it should be magical or physical, and much more. Anarchy Online thus offered instanced areas for the first time.
To this day, it has produced 5 expansions. However, the German servers were shut down in 2010. No additional game content is planned.
Dark Age of Camelot, 2001
Dark Age of Camelot celebrated PVP from 2001 and introduced battles where players united in three realms could fight for dominance over a zone and defend it!
You have the choice of 45 classes and 7 races per realm, each of which has special abilities. This is nothing new, but it is still pioneering in this form: The class system is cleverly balanced, and players rely on each other. Given the focus on PVP, this is a very important component.
Final Fantasy XI, 2002
Final Fantasy XI from 2002. Based on the eponymous single-player titles, it has maintained a stable subscriber count and fan base from the beginning.
The profession system is particularly elaborate. Right from the start, you can choose 6 out of 22 possible professions, thus defining your avatar. The professions essentially replace classes: You can attain the profession of a warrior, a white mage, and many more. The special aspect is that you don’t have to die with the chosen professions: You can unlearn them during the game and start new ones, leveling them up.
Eve Online, 2002
EVE Online from 2003 is more of an economic simulation. The focus is on extracting raw materials and the economy, which is influenced by the players themselves. As a sandbox MMO with countless social features, EVE Online offers as many unpredictable moments as no other game in the genre.
You find yourself massing on a single server and can navigate to various planets in space, exploring the cosmos. And that with a very flexible and complex skill system, which gives players more room for developing their avatars.
Also, builders can find delight as they can assemble their own spaceship!