Although all MMORPGs differ from one another, there are also trends that affect the entire genre. Exactly such a trend is currently being discussed by MMORPG players, who are also making a demand.
What is being discussed? A Reddit post in the MMORPG forum is currently attracting a lot of attention from players. The creator of the post titled “The current endgame formula is extremely boring” claims: “MMORPGs should be slower and focus more on the world instead of endgame raids.”
However, instead of simply dismissing the argument, a lively discussion arises beneath the claim.
Games like Where Winds Meet show how theme parks work, even without an MMO:
Dare More World
What do players think? The MMORPG genre’s strong focus on raids as the main content for the endgame is also seen by the players. A new expansion or update usually only adds new dungeons or raids but gives little reason to go back into the MMORPG world.
This would be an important addition to the raids, which, no matter how varied the individual challenges are, always follow the same pattern. However, the trend towards raids has not always been the case, as Reddit user toljar explains:
“That’s true, I started my MMO career with Asheron’s Call. This game was 100% about the world and the journey. MMOs have become more or less lobby games. You rush to the maximum level and then sit around waiting for a group to play a dungeon or PvP. And it just repeats over and over.”
At the same time, this phenomenon especially affects theme park MMORPGs, whose concept is to move players from one attraction to another. As Reddit user Denaton_ explains: “There are countless MMOs that don’t even offer raids…”
What else argues against the initial statement? The comment with the most upvotes on Reddit comes from user traitorgiraffe. He explains: “It doesn’t matter how slow you make them, lol. Players play it until they drop and then complain when they reach the end.”
Underlying the discussion is actually the clash between theme park MMORPGs and sandbox MMORPGs. The latter have been lacking a trendsetter with innovative ideas and an exciting world for years.
The last major MMORPG that truly fulfilled this sub-genre is probably the German Albion Online, which still captivates thousands of players with its sandbox and continuously brings major updates. At the same time, the ongoing success of Old School RuneScape shows that sandbox MMORPGs are still in demand.
Nevertheless, many players of theme park MMORPGs might also befriend the thought of experiencing more of the world outside of leveling phases and profession grinds. The game worlds of most MMORPGs are lovingly designed and would surely appreciate one or two endgame activities.
That theme park MMORPGs are increasingly becoming a lobby for raids and dungeons has led a development team to the idea of completely skipping open-world and leveling and only focusing on dungeons as contents. How that works, you can find out here: New game on Steam wanted to offer the best of MMORPGs, but without the disadvantages, first lays down typical MMO start
