To kick off the year 2022, we at MeinMMO would like to introduce you to the currently biggest MMORPGs on Steam. Among them are some well-known titles, but also games that hardly anyone expected in the top 10.
How was the list compiled? We looked at which games had the most concurrent players on January 1 to determine the order. We will also tell you what the average player counts looked like in the last 30 days, which would have only made small changes to the order of this list.
For these numbers, we used the SteamDB website, which analyzes and prepares data from Steam.
However, this list only represents the raw player numbers on Steam. Many MMORPGs also offer their own client for download. The total player counts will be significantly higher for some games.
We have also created a list of the highest-rated MMORPGs on Steam, which focuses solely on how well a game is received in reviews.
These are the positions 10 to 4
- Bless Unleashed – 4,812 players at peak (average 3,641 players in the last 30 days)
- Phantasy Star Online 2 – 5,252 players at peak (average 3,088 players)
- RuneScape – 7,574 players (average 5,305 players)
- Albion Online – 7,841 players (average 5,778 players)
- Star Wars: The Old Republic – 10,397 players (average 5,954 players)
- Black Desert – 25,372 players (average 16,655 players)
- The Elder Scrolls Online – 29,729 players (average 17,187 players)
Position 3 – Final Fantasy XIV
- Focus of the MMORPG: Themepark, story, and instances
- Player count: 64,530 players at peak, 55,506 average players in the last 30 days
- Player numbers trend: Increasing
- Developer: Square Enix
- Business model: Base game Free2Play, subscription, and Buy2Play for new expansions
What kind of game is it? Final Fantasy XIV is a Japanese MMORPG that places a strong emphasis on story. When creating a character, you can choose from different jobs, which you can later use all on one character.
The game world is huge and offers diverse tasks. Additionally, there are many tricky raids and challenges awaiting you in the endgame that you can face in groups. However, a drawback for many is the somewhat sluggish start, as well as the slow combat system.
Final Fantasy XIV is regularly supplied with new updates and even larger expansions. In December, the Endwalker expansion was released, which we introduced to you in detail. This also caused a corresponding player boost.
Up to level 60, you can currently play the MMORPG for free, after which you will need to purchase the latest expansion and subscribe to fully experience it. However, due to the large influx to FFXIV, there is currently a restriction on free accounts, as the servers are overloaded.
This video from Pwnance provides an overview of the game:
Who is it interesting for? Final Fantasy XIV is primarily aimed at players who:
- Consider the story in an MMORPG to be very important
- Prefer games with tab-targeting as a combat system
- Enjoy following a linear story
- Want to prove themselves with other players in dungeons and raids
- Can cope with the Japanese setting
On the other hand, those looking for an action-packed MMORPG with dodging mechanics and blocking will not be happy here. The game also shows its age in terms of the interface and graphics. Additionally, there are almost no PvP contents, and the instanced modes that exist usually have long queues.
Where can you play outside of Steam? Final Fantasy XIV is available both through Steam and its own launcher, as well as for Mac, PS4, and PS5. Unfortunately, so far, Xbox console players have to miss out on Final Fantasy XIV.
FFXIV offers crossplay between platforms as long as you and your friends are playing on the same data center.
Position 2 – MIR 4
- Focus of the MMORPG: Auto-play and loot
- Player count: 67,238 at peak, 69,982 average players in the last 30 days
- Player numbers trend: Slightly decreasing
- Developer: Wemade
- Business model: Free2Play with the possibility of making money
What kind of game is it? MIR 4 is a Korean MMORPG that was originally developed only for Android and iOS but later received a port for PC. The game focuses on action-packed battles, but with few abilities and a lot of auto-play.
The special thing about MIR 4 is that you can make money with the game. You can convert the in-game currency Darksteel into the cryptocurrency Draco. At the beginning, one could earn about 50 cents per hour with the MMORPG. However, Draco has now lost 2/3 of its original value. This lowers the expected earnings to about 17 cents.
However, there are also other methods to earn money in MIR 4. For example, you can sell your characters and make real money. One character went for 127,000 Euros.
How exactly MIR 4 looks and how gameplay feels can be seen in this video from KiraTV:
Who is it interesting for? MIR 4 is aimed at players who:
- Enjoy Korean auto-play MMORPGs
- Are looking for a new MMORPG for smartphones
- Want to make money with an MMORPG
- Want to leave their PC running 24 hours for farming
On the other hand, those looking for a high-quality AAA MMORPG will definitely not be happy with MIR 4. The game is flooded with bots and AFK players and relies on a strongly mobile interface.
Where can you play outside of Steam? In the western world, MIR 4 can also be played on Android and iOS. There is no standalone version for PC. The MMORPG is said to be particularly successful in the Asian market.
Position 1 – New World
- Focus of the MMORPG: Crafting, exploration, and PvP in the endgame
- Player count: 114,946 players at peak, 83,336 average players in the last 30 days
- Player numbers trend: Stable to slightly decreasing
- Developer: Amazon Games
- Business model: Buy2Play
What kind of game is it? New World is the latest MMORPG on the list and just celebrated its release on September 28, 2021. Originally designed as a PvP title with some survival aspects, it is now also trying to capture classic MMORPG fans.
To this end, the quest system has been overhauled, and new world bosses and especially 6 completely new dungeons were added to the game. Additionally, PvP in the open world is now optional. However, those who activate it can eliminate enemies from a foreign company and conquer forts on the map.
The highlights of the game are the gathering and crafting system, which feels incredibly rewarding, as well as the wars in the endgame, where players fight 50v50 for territories.
The combat system requires active targeting and dodging and feels incredibly impactful. However, it is significantly slower than in games like ESO or Black Desert. This makes it more tactical, but it may not appeal to every player.
Criticism is also directed at the rather weak quest design and the lack of an overarching story. However, those who wish can find small lore snippets on the ground to learn more about the world.
This video from Entenburg gives you an insight into New World:
Who is it interesting for? New World is aimed at players who:
- Generally looking for a completely new and relatively unused MMO in terms of setting
- Enjoy collecting and crafting
- Are looking for an MMORPG with active combat system and dodge mechanics
- Like PvP but do not want to fight against other players constantly
- Do not need classes, as New World allows you to define your play style completely through equipment
- Have a penchant for quite blunt grinding, as this is what is ultimately required of you in the endgame
On the other hand, those looking for a new theme park MMORPG will only be partially satisfied with New World. There are no exciting quests and no overarching story. Furthermore, the number of dungeons is currently still quite small, and there are no raids at all.
Where can you play outside of Steam? Nowhere. New World is currently only playable through Steam. Whether there will ever be a version outside of the platform or for consoles is currently unknown.
For those looking for more interesting MMOs and MMORPGs, this list is also helpful:
