This subgenre of MMOs is still quite small and has only a few representatives so far, although the number is increasing.
The most popular examples are
There are also subgenres within the MMO shooters that we will discuss first. These are called MMOFPS and MMOTPS. They are very closely linked, as they differ only in one clearly defined aspect, which can have a greater impact on the gaming experience.
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MMOFPS (Massive Multiplayer Online First-Person Shooter)
In MMOFPS, the first-person perspective is the decisive criterion. This means that as far as possible the view from the character is represented, into which one then slips. Especially action-driven battles come across as credible here, as the field of vision is realistically restricted, and usually only the weapon and the arm of your avatar can be seen.
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MMOTPS (Massive Multiplayer Online Third-Person Shooter)
In MMOTPS, you control your main character in the third person . This means that you control your character from another perspective, allowing you to see it as a whole – the character is not necessarily a person, but can also represent a vehicle.
Whether positioned above (bird’s-eye view) or behind (shoulder perspective) varies by game – sometimes the camera perspective can also be freely adjusted. Tactical elements are usually more significant due to advantages in overview (including World of Tanks or the so-called cover shooter The Division).
Characteristic Features of MMO Shooters:
- Enemies are usually targeted through the crosshair and eliminated with a mouse click. This can be simplified or augmented by certain skills, but the core consists of independent aiming (summarized in English as “Aiming”).
- In principle, the maps consist of larger battlefields and persistent worlds where many dynamic activities occur and multiple players can participate.
- The group play should take a significant focus in the MMO shooter, whether through dungeons, co-op quests, raids, or PvP. This is complemented by many social features typical of MMOs (guilds, etc.) related to groups and human players.
- Games-as-a-Service: The games are continuously developed over a longer period of time.
Conclusion on MMO Shooters
Mein MMO believes that we can expect more hybrid forms between MMORPG and MMOFPS/TPS in the future. The collecting features of an online role-playing game are not yet of great importance, but such elements are now finding their place, as evidenced in Defiance, where experience points can be gained in multiple ways. The same applies to character development, which is quite pronounced in MMO shooters like Warframe and Destiny 2.
On the other hand, the shooter-typical combat system, with crosshairs and independent aiming, is gaining popularity in MMORPGs. Especially Tera, Neverwinter or Black Desert Online utilize this mechanic.
