WildStar
Setting: Science-Fiction | Developer: Carbine Studios / NCSoft | Release Date: June 3, 2014 | Shut Down: November 28, 2018 | Payment Model: Pay2Play and Free2Play from 2015
What was this MMORPG like? WildStar was one of the last major MMORPGs developed in the West. It was a sci-fi game that returned to a subscription model.
For many players, the MMORPG had one of the best combat systems in the genre. It was action-packed, and players needed good reflexes to avoid telegraphs and the heavy attacks of enemies.
Another highlight was the extensive housing system, which is still considered one of the best ever. The quirky humor also stood out among the game’s positive aspects.
Why was it considered a WoW-killer? WildStar focused on group content and hardcore content. This was especially relevant during a time when WoW was criticized for becoming easier.
The developers confidently stated that they wanted to win over former WoW players. Additionally, the game offered a timeless comic graphic style, just like the genre leader.
What “killed” the MMORPG? The MMORPG appeared very interesting and cohesive at launch, but Carbine Studios failed to support a live game:
- There were several bugs in endgame
- There was a lack of promised content updates
- The consistently high level of difficulty proved to be too strenuous, and only a few players could be engaged
Switching to Free2Play in 2015 did not change this.
WildStar no longer exists, but thousands of fans are demanding a return in a petition. It is also possible that WildStar will eventually receive a fan-run private server, similar to what has happened with Star Wars Galaxies and Warhammer.
WoW has been on the market for about 16 years. Since then, many games have been released and shut down. We have selected 15 MMORPGs that were released after WoW and have survived it.
