MMORPGs without players are considered dead; the genre thrives on high player numbers. We at MeinMMO have looked at which MMORPGs recorded the highest numbers on Steam in October 2022.
How was the list created? For our Top 10, we looked at the average player numbers of the MMORPGs over the last 30 days. These are the player counts that are logged in the game at the same time on average. The data comes from the website steamcharts, which provides the player numbers.
However, the numbers only include players who start the game via Steam. Most MMORPGs also have their own clients, the numbers of which we cannot see. The actual numbers are likely much higher.
These are places 10 to 4
- Place 10: Star Wars: The Old Republic (3,555)
- Place 9: RuneScape (3,697 players)
- Place 8: Guild Wars 2 (4,751 players)
- Place 7: Albion (6,095 players)
- Place 6: Fallout 76 (7,520 players)
- Place 5: Black Desert (12,590 players)
- Place 4: The Elder Scrolls Online (13,243 players)
Place 3 – Final Fantasy XIV
- Focus of the MMORPG: Story, Roleplay, and Instances
- Player Count: average of 22,885 players online simultaneously in the last 30 days
- Player Numbers Trend: Staying about the same
- Business Model: Base game Free2Play with limitations, Subscription and Buy2Play for expansions
- Developer: Square Enix
What kind of game is it? Since 2013, Final Fantasy XIV has been one of the most popular MMORPGs ever. It focuses on an emotional story and offers players the opportunity to purchase multiple DLCs to continue the story and level up. The expansion Endwalker was released in 2021.
Apart from the story, you can expect exciting PvE content, such as dungeons, boss fights, and raids. For this, you only need a single character in FFXIV, as the classes are called Jobs in FFXIV and those who invest a lot of time can level each of them to level 90.
The combat system relies on tab-targeting, which initially feels somewhat sluggish, but gets significantly better as you unlock more skills.
You can also level various crafting and gathering classes, buy a house, and design your own island.
Currently, you can play the game for free up to level 60, but afterward, you will need to purchase an expansion and subscribe to continue playing. However, the free trial version is not available on Steam.
Who is it interesting for? FFXIV is primarily aimed at players who:
- can focus on the story and want to experience an engaging narrative
- prefer tab-targeting
- are looking for a challenge in PvE endgame
- seek a friendly community
- enjoy a classic Holy Trinity (Tank, DPS, Healer)
The community is praised by players worldwide. The interactions are reported to be (in most cases) very friendly and respectful, which is a stark contrast to other MMORPGs whose communities tend to be more toxic.
Place 2 – New World
Focus of the MMORPG: Crafting, Exploration, and PvP
Player Count: average of 24,025 players online simultaneously in the last 30 days
Player Count Trend: Increasing. New World suddenly sees very high numbers a year after release.
Business Model: Buy2Play
Developer: Amazon
What kind of game is it? New World was released in September 2021 and was able to attract nearly a million people to the MMORPG at launch. It is set in the 17th century on the mysterious island of Aeternum.
You explore a large open game world and engage in mass battles in PvP. But PvE with dungeons and bosses, as well as fantasy and horror elements, also play an important role in New World.
In combat, you need to aim and dodge actively and only have access to three different skills. There are also no classes, you switch skills by equipping a different weapon.
Unlike many other games on this list, New World was released exclusively on Steam. Therefore, the player numbers here are more accurate than those of the other representatives on the list.
Who is it interesting for? New World is aimed at players who:
- enjoy collecting and crafting
- want a combat system where you have to do everything yourself
- do not want to be tied to classes and like to try things out
- enjoy exciting PvP battles
However, for those who prefer to follow a linear story and do not care much for PvP, New World is only of limited interest.
Place 1 – Lost Ark
- Focus of the MMORPG: Grinding, Instances, Exploration
- Player Count: average of 151,998 simultaneous players in the last 30 days
- Player Count Trend: Staying between 100,000 and 200,000
- Business Model: Free2Play
- Developer: Amazon and Smilegate
What kind of game is it? Lost Ark is an action MMORPG that only launched in February of this year. You choose your character from 18 classes and explore the world of Arkesia from an isometric perspective.
First, you dive into the story. After the prologue, you are level 10, receive your first mount, and level through the story to 50. The story is about finding an Ark on various continents and bringing it to Trixion, where the NPC Beatrice receives it.
At level 50 you reach the endgame of Lost Ark and that’s where the real game begins. Daily, you complete dungeons and raids to farm materials and improve your equipment. With a higher item level, you unlock more content, further progressing the story.
Additionally, you can start sailing around level 40, allowing you to explore, farm various islands, and participate in events.
The deeper you dive into the endgame, the more difficult the content becomes. Currently, the MMORPG is getting a huge update with a new Legion Raid and a new class.
Who is it interesting for? Lost Ark is aimed at players who…
- want to grind and fight many enemies simultaneously, as is the case in chaos dungeons
- appreciate an isometric perspective and action-packed fights
- value interesting mechanics and are not afraid to search for guides online
- are patient and do not mind needing 10 attempts for a piece of content
- want to explore a large, open world both on land and water
Special Case – MIR4
MIR4 is an MMORPG focused on cryptocurrency. According to Steamcharts, it has an average of 38,000 players simultaneously per month. However, we assume that many bots are active. Therefore, we do not include it in our regular ranking.
In MIR4, players can earn a “cryptocurrency” called DRACO. The currency is only obtained when you connect the game with Facebook, Google, or Apple. You can start earning the currency at level 40. Many activities run via autoplay, and it is evident that the game is designed for mobile.
What do you think of our list of the most played MMORPGs on Steam? Which ones do you play yourself or have tried out? Do you think the high or lower numbers of these games are justified? Which MMORPG deserves more players? Feel free to tell us in the comments here on MeinMMO!
