Google is a search engine that has countless users every day. This search volume can be analyzed. We have put together the 6 largest MMORPGs in Germany just before the year 2020. We look at: Who were the winners and losers of 2019?
Through Google Trends, we can find out which games have the highest search volume: Which games are the players in Germany most interested in.
After a pre-selection of the largest MMORPGs according to Google, we let the 6 most popular online role-playing games compete against each other to see which MMORPGs were the largest in Germany just before 2020. The period covered is the last 12 months, i.e. the year 2019. The tool gave us a ranking that we would like to share with you here.
Are these statistics for player numbers? Google Trends shows us how popular a game was in 2019 through searches. This is only partially related to player numbers. However, you can assume that a game with a large volume on Google also has a correspondingly large number of players.
6. Star Wars: The Old Republic
What kind of game is SWTOR? The MMORPG SWTOR (PC), which takes place in the Star Wars universe, has been on the market for a while. It was released by Bioware and Electronic Arts in 2011. Chronologically, it takes place thousands of years before the well-known movie blockbusters.
SWTOR focuses on fully voiced quests. In recent years, expansions have shifted towards ‘single-player story’ and have been praised for their epic presentation.
When was SWTOR most popular in 2019? Search interest in SWTOR peaked at the end of October 2019. This was due to the release of the Onslaught expansion, which finally came out on October 22. Hence, the release was a month later than planned.
However, among the players of the MMORPG, the addon is very well received.
What were the most searched terms? One of the biggest search terms in 2019 was “Onslaught”. Given the new expansion, this is not surprising. Other perennial favorites such as Reddit, downloads, and SWTOR companions were also found at the top. Interestingly, there was also a recent search for a film about “Star Wars: The Old Republic”. The Old Republic is being discussed as the next film saga.
How does SWTOR compare to 2018? Relatively stable. Since SWTOR’s resurgence in October 2019, interest has remained at the same level as early 2018. Even EA is surprised at how much money SWTOR is still generating.
5. Black Desert
What kind of game is Black Desert? Black Desert (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mobile) was released in 2014 and features beautiful atmosphere and graphics. Additionally, there are massive possibilities for character development. In Black Desert, quests and story are not the main focus. The MMORPG combines theme park elements with a sandbox world.
You should build your own virtual life in this MMORPG. You can be a merchant, craftsman, or adventurer. In addition, you can also indulge in PvP in Black Desert.
When was Black Desert most popular in 2019? Interest in Black Desert grew significantly from August 2019:
- This was partly due to the release of the MMORPG for PS4.
- On the other hand, it was due to the mobile version, for which registration started in August. Black Desert Mobile has been live with us for two weeks now, since then.
What were the most searched terms? In Germany, people are primarily searching for the PS4 version of Black Desert and Black Desert Mobile. For both keywords, the best classes in Black Desert and updates are intriguing to players.
How is the interest compared to 2018? Relatively stable. Overall, there were no major changes throughout the year. However, Black Desert hit higher peaks in August than in 2018. That year, there was also a relatively long phase of low attention from April to the end of July.
4. Guild Wars 2
What kind of game is GW2? Guild Wars 2 (PC) was released in 2012 and continues the MMORPG Guild Wars. The focus is on the game world and the constantly evolving story. In addition to the usual questing, lively tasks pop up when you are nearby.
The story of Guild Wars 2 revolves around the Living Story. New chapters continuously advance the narrative.
Besides the normal PvP, which takes place in a separate world in Guild Wars 2, there is also WvW. In World vs. World, players from different servers battle against each other.
When was GW2 most popular in 2019? Search interest in Guild Wars 2 peaked especially at the end of May and in June. This was due to the release of the new episode “Eternal War”, which went live on May 14. Additionally, there was a lot of interest in August 2019, when the new Living World 5 was on the way. The Icebrood Saga began on September 22, 2019.
What were the most searched terms? Larger spikes in search for Guild Wars 2 include searches for events, legendaries, builds, and mounts. Specifically, the mount “Skyscale” and the Warclaw. Additionally, chapters of the Living Story, inquiries about a new addon, and standards like Reddit or the download and purchase of the game.
How has interest changed compared to 2018? Declined somewhat. Guild Wars 2 is the loser regarding Google interest for the year. Unlike other MMORPGs, no major expansion was released, which impacted interest.
3. Final Fantasy XIV
What kind of game is FFXIV? The MMORPG FF14 (PC, PS4) from the popular Final Fantasy franchise launched in 2010. After some issues, a new version was ultimately released in 2013. The MMORPG focuses on numerous quests and teamwork with friends to defeat gigantic foes. You embark into the fantasy world of Eorzea.
PvP plays a minor role in FFXIV and is not integrated into the open world. However, you can compete against each other in arenas. With the Shadowbringers expansion in 2019, FFXIV expanded its story, introduced new features, more areas, and new playable races.
When was FFXIV most popular in 2019? Final Fantasy XIV saw a spike in searches in June and July, due to the release of the Shadowbringers addon. It was available in Early Access for pre-orders starting on June 28, 2019, expanding the story, areas, and races of the MMORPG.
What were the most searched terms? The standout search term for FFXIV is undoubtedly “Shadowbringers”. The expansion of the MMORPG was very well received and heavily searched. Also in demand were new jobs like the “Dancer” and “Blue Mage” or the search for a DPS meter.
How has interest changed compared to 2018? Increased. Final Fantasy XIV is a winner among MMORPGs in 2019 due to Shadowbringers. Such an expansion was lacking in 2018.
2. The Elder Scrolls Online
What kind of game is ESO? The MMORPG The Elder Scrolls Online (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia) takes place in a fantasy world called Tamriel. There, fantasy fans can indulge in three add-ons. The original world has expanded, most recently with the Elsweyr expansion, which brought dragon battles to Tamriel.
In The Elder Scrolls Online, questing and exploration are at the forefront. You fight through dungeons and battle various monsters while uncovering new secrets on the map.
When was ESO most popular in 2019? The Elder Scrolls Online had the highest search volume in May and June 2019. At this time, the 3rd major chapter Elsweyr launched, available on May 20 for PC and June 4 for PS4 and Xbox One. Another spike for ESO was in October 2019 due to the Dragonhold DLC, which started on October 21, 2019.
What were the most searched terms? Players were particularly interested in the search for the “Elsweyr” expansion. This includes the new class “Necromancer“, which is a highlight for many. Also, the builds for Necromancers were examined. Furthermore, the new DLC “Dragonhold” and the Witches’ Festival are found in the trends. ESO was so popular at that time that it was almost overwhelming.
How has interest changed compared to 2018? Declined somewhat. In 2018, there were more peaks in search interest compared to 2019, where only Elsweyr stands out significantly. Nevertheless, ESO’s level of interest remains relatively high.
1. World of Warcraft
What kind of game is WoW? The oldest MMORPG in our list is World of Warcraft (PC). It was released in 2004 and quickly built a large fanbase. Even players who previously had no interest in the genre were drawn to World of Warcraft. It combines the popular Warcraft strategy games with functioning MMORPG elements.
World of Warcraft takes place in the fantasy world of Azeroth. There, you navigate your character through countless quests and instances such as dungeons or raids.
The MMORPG can look back on seven expansions; in 2020, you can expect the eighth addon Shadowlands. Additionally, since 2019, there have been official WoW Classic servers, where you can experience the game as it was in its early years.
When was WoW most popular in 2019? World of Warcraft had a massive spike in Google interest at the end of August. This had been hinted at earlier in the month, as it was leading up to the launch of WoW Classic, which many players had been waiting for years. They wanted to finally play the original World of Warcraft, free from all addons.
What were the most searched terms? World of Warcraft has the highest search volume on this list. Players are interested in various things, but “Classic WoW” and “WoW BfA” are the focus. BfA is the current addon Battle for Azeroth, which launched in 2018. Here, players were particularly interested in patch 8.2 and Mechagon, followed by 8.2.5. With WoW Classic, much of the post-release discussion revolved around the “phases” and various guides (classes, professions, gold farming, and fast leveling).
Additionally, the new expansion Shadowlands is highly sought after and is increasing in demand.
How has interest changed compared to 2019? Increased. The hype around WoW Classic was tremendous and resulted in a considerably stronger second half of 2019 compared to 2018, whereas interest in WoW in the first half of 2018 and the first half of 2019 was relatively low but still significantly higher than that of competing games.
Here’s what the graph looks like: We show you the interest in five of the MMORPGs from January 1, 2019, to December 21, 2019, in Germany. WoW is so far ahead of the other five games that including it would distort the graph.
Will the new MMORPGs coming in 2020 change anything in the rankings? That remains to be seen.
Here you can read a list of the 15 largest MMORPGs in Germany from the summer of 2019 :
