2020 could be an interesting year for MMO fans. The release of several games, or at least an alpha or beta version of them, is planned for this year. Our editor Alexander Leitsch presents 3 MMOs that he believes will be successful in 2020.
What is this list? After I already introduced you to 6 MMOs that will not survive 2020, I now want to look in the opposite direction. Here I present you games that could be successful in 2020.
This list is again based on my own opinion, and of course, there is a possibility that they could flop or not even be released in 2020. However, I have selected 3 games that could indeed be successful.
New World
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: Amazon Game Studios | Platform: PC | Release Date: May 26, 2020 | Model: Buy2Play
What is New World? New World is a new MMORPG from Amazon, where you discover the fictional island of Aeternum in the 17th century. You will join one of three factions, each fighting for fortresses on the island.
But those who are afraid of PvP can rest assured. It will be optional, and only those who activate the PvP mode will have to compete against other players. For the others, there are wild animals, monsters, and the hostile NPC faction called Corrupted.
New World offers a classless system where your armors and weapons influence your play style. The combat system is said to be very action-packed. Over time, your character learns to handle weapons, levels up (1-60), and gains attribute points that are also supposed to influence your play style.
How was the development of New World? Amazon’s MMO was already in alpha, which ended in June 2019, a very solid game. It received much praise for:
- The foundations of the game
- The graphics
- The willingness of the developers to listen to criticism
- The performance of the game
- Generally the progress the game made in alpha
Criticism was given for:
- The slow combat system
- The fact that too large guilds dominated the gameplay.
The problems with New World could have been quickly fixed, and the MMO could have been released after that. However, with a strong PvP focus, New World was at risk of becoming a niche game rather than one for the masses.
Why could New World be successful? The “new” New World is said to offer more PvE content and more character development. At the same time, the PvP requirement is being dropped, which will appeal to PvE fans. This opens up a completely new and larger target audience for the MMO.
At the same time, PvP fans could still be retained if the sieges and battles in the game are well implemented. Much now depends on the balance between PvE and PvP. More information on this is expected to be released prior to the launch.
Thanks to Amazon in the background, the game has good servers available. Furthermore, there is no financial pressure, as revealed in an interview with MeinMMO.
These are good signs for a successful MMO.
Crowfall
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: ArtCraft | Platform: PC | Release Date: Unknown | Model: Buy2Play
What is Crowfall? Crowfall is a mix of MMORPG and strategy games that uses various worlds. There is a “social world” where you can do housing and interact with other players. This is persistent and remains permanently.
The other worlds consist of scenarios in which you are thrown, where you can experience adventures. In the scenarios, you fight against other players but also the hunger that devours the world. Each scenario ends with the destruction of the world, but brings you rewards for the social world.
The following worlds are currently planned:
- The Eternal Kingdoms are the social world
- God’s Reach is a pure PvE world that aims to introduce players to Crowfall.
- The Infected is a PvP world where three factions battle against each other.
- Dregs is a world specifically for Guild vs. Guild combat.
Through these scenarios, Crowfall aims to never get boring. Multiple campaigns run simultaneously, and the worlds and contents of the scenarios can always be adjusted.
How was the development of Crowfall? Crowfall was originally intended to be released several years ago, but the release was delayed multiple times. This was also due to new funding, which gave the developers more time, leading to new content being added to the game.
For several years, Crowfall has also been working with a live server where backers can have a go. The first official campaign was tested in early 2019.
In 2020, the last patch in alpha is supposed to appear, after which more players from outside will be invited to a beta.
Why could Crowfall be successful in 2020? With the various worlds and planned scenarios, Crowfall is taking an unusual approach for an MMORPG. They are trying something new and innovative, which could attract many players at launch.
Although many of their worlds use PvP, which could deter a significant portion of players. However, with the social world and the PvE world, at least the entry barrier isn’t high.
I believe that Crowfall will already make headlines with the beta in 2020. If the release occurs this year, then Crowfall could be successful. Perhaps it will only be a success in a niche of PvP fans. But the concept of Crowfall sounds exciting enough.
Lost Ark
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: Smilegate| Platform: PC | Release Date: November 2018 in Korea| Model: Free2Play
What is Lost Ark? Lost Ark is an action MMORPG from Korea, which has only been released there and in Russia so far. It mixes the genres action-RPG and MMO to create something unique:
- It incorporates elements from Diablo, such as the isometric perspective and clicking for movement.
- It features MMORPG content like an open world, dungeons, raids, crafting, housing, and PvP.
Its social elements and group play make it feel more like an MMO than a traditional hack’n slash.
Visually, Lost Ark blends a fantasy world with elves and demons with many steampunk elements. It features 4 base classes that split into three specializations each at level 10.
How was the development of Lost Ark? Lost Ark was already released in late 2018 in Korea and recently started an open beta in Russia. You can also participate from Germany, as long as you can handle the language barrier.
The game initially experienced hype, which then subsided. Nevertheless, the MMORPG remained among the top 5 games in Korea for five months.
However, even after the release, there were regular updates for Lost Ark, including a massive update in summer 2019 with new areas, dungeons, a raid, and many further content.
Why could Lost Ark be successful in 2020? Lost Ark has already received many awards. At the gaming fair G-Star 2019, it received five awards. The MMORPG still remains in the Top 10 games in Korea.
Its strengths are especially:
- The areas filled with exploration.
- The combat system
- The loot spiral
- The relationship status with NPCs that can be influenced
For me, it is clear that Lost Ark will be successful with us as well. The question is only when the MMORPG will be released here. According to the developers, the game has a lot of potential abroad. Additionally, staff for localization and service planners specifically for abroad are being sought.
I hope that Lost Ark comes to us in 2020, at least in an open beta, like it is running in Russia. If not, it is still worth playing the Russian version, as our editor Irie does:
MMOs that could make great strides in development in 2020
In addition to the MMOs that could successfully launch in 2020, there are also some games that could make a significant leap in their development this year. I would like to talk briefly about these as well.
Ashes of Creation
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: Intrepid Studios | Platform: PC | Release Date: Unknown | Model: Pay2Play
What is Ashes of Creation? Ashes of Creation is a sandbox MMORPG from Intrepid Studios that has been in development since 2017. It focuses on an open world where territories can be conquered and then leveled up.
In these areas, small tent villages grow into massive cities and metropolises, unless they are attacked by other players again.
What will happen in Ashes of Creation in 2020? This year, the first alpha for Ashes of Creation is supposed to start. This was originally scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.
As there will be no NDA for this alpha, you can look forward to videos and livestreams about the MMORPG. Additionally, developer blogs and regular info streams from the developers are planned for 2020.
Camelot Unchained
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: City State Entertainment | Platform: PC | Release Date: Unknown | Model: Pay2Play
What is Camelot Unchained? Camelot Unchained is an MMORPG that aims to connect with the old times of Dark Age of Camelot. The creator of the game is Marc Jacobs, the inventor of DaoC.
It focuses on PvP and fights for fortresses. You join one of three factions. The game has been in beta since 2018, but it is a test in the classical sense. Many features of the game are still not finished, and instead, individual contents and modules are being tested.
What will happen in Camelot Unchained in 2020? New and significant information will be shared in January that should be interesting for backers and fans of Camelot Unchained.
Although this will not be a release date yet, the developers have shown unusual enthusiasm. So we can look forward to how Camelot Unchained will develop in 2020.
Crimson Desert
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: Pearl Abyss | Platform: PC, Consoles | Release Date: Unknown | Model: Unknown
What is Crimson Desert? Crimson Desert is the unofficial successor to Black Desert. The new MMORPG will focus more on the story and PvE.
You will take on the roles of different mercenaries during the campaign, each carrying their own problems and worries.
In addition to the PvE content, player trading, life skills, and fortress battles are planned.
What will happen in Crimson Desert in 2020? The first beta for Crimson Desert is supposed to begin in Korea in 2020. When we will see the game, is not yet clear. Nevertheless, many new informations about the MMORPG are expected this year.
What do you think? Which MMOs will be successful in 2020? Which games are you particularly looking forward to?
