2019 could have been a good year for MMORPG players. Many new games were announced. But hardly any of them made it to release this year. What went wrong?
MMORPGs like Ashes of Creation or Project TL openly announced the previous year that they wanted to launch in 2019. However, such planned release dates should be taken with caution.
Because even this year, some online role-playing games failed to meet their target. In this article, we will examine what happened with MMORPGs in 2019, as well as what the current games in development are struggling with.
Why are release dates rarely met for MMORPGs?
What are the issues with MMORPGs? Players have been waiting for games like Crowfall, Camelot Unchained, or Chronicles of Elyria for up to 7 years. MMORPGs face many challenges during their development, including:
- Massive and open game worlds that need to be filled with content.
- Varied player populations.
- Large server and data volumes.
However, players also contribute to many adjustments with their expectations and requests for changes that were not included in the original plans for the game. Additionally, a game-as-a-service must continue to be maintained after the release, unlike a single-player game.
Why do incorrect release dates keep occurring? We asked the developers of Crowfall why incorrect release dates happen repeatedly for MMORPGs.
Creative Director J. Todd Coleman responded and sees the problems mainly rooted in the need for studios to experiment if they want to stand out from other games:
Game development is iterative, as the question “What is fun?” is elusive. If you copy an existing game, you can be much more accurate with your estimates because you have a detailed roadmap that shows you exactly what you need to build.
But the more unique the idea, the more it deviates from the norm, the more you rely on experimentation, and experimentation is by definition an unpredictable process. Most commercial games can hide this phase because they can be quietly developed during this time of experimentation.
Small studios, primarily supported by players, are constantly in the public eye, as they had to present themselves even before the experimentation phase:
Especially crowdfunded MMOs seem to suffer extremely from the problem of incorrect release dates. I think this can probably be attributed to two things:
First, they MUST be unique visions or they won’t get funded (why would I fund a game I can already buy?). As I outlined above, being unique means experimenting, and that in turn means unpredictability.
Second, the unveiling happens right at the beginning of the process, before you even start experimenting, let alone find the right solution. You don’t have the luxury of suffering in private.
What went wrong with MMORPGs in 2019?
Next, we want to look at the three MMORPGs that mentioned a timeframe for release in 2019 but could not keep it. However, all three are still in development.
What went wrong with Crowfall?
What is Crowfall? Crowfall is an MMORPG that incorporates some strategic elements into the game. It differs from other games in the genre in that it:
- Has different worlds referred to as campaigns.
- Most of these worlds go through a cycle before hunger comes and consumes them. Only one social world with housing remains permanently.
- During the campaign, in which battles between guilds or factions occur, rewards can be earned that can then be used in the social world.
A campaign is supposed to play out like a season of Game of Thrones.
How did 2019 go for Crowfall? This year the MMORPG made many advancements. For example, the first official campaign of the game was launched in January. All testers of the LIVE environment could try it out.
In March, leaderboards for the campaigns were added, marking a significant step in development. Additionally, the entry into the game was improved, and the UI underwent a major overhaul.
Why was the release of Crowfall delayed? Originally, the MMORPG was supposed to launch in 2017. In a statement in mid-2018, it was said that the release was postponed to 2019. But this year too, Crowfall won’t be released.
Creative Director J. Todd Coleman explained why the development of Crowfall is so difficult:
We are taking a variety of design risks and making a game that is completely different from your “normal” fantasy MMO. We have:
– Procedural worlds
– Dynamic seasons and weather
– A massive combination of races/classes/skill trees/passive abilities
– a player-driven economy
– player kingdoms
– and of course, we have a strategy game of territorial conquest where a guild can literally “win” an entire MMO server.
These many contents do not come without problems, and the community has other expectations in some areas:
Our players wanted a different and more engaging combat system than we initially proposed and implemented. We worked on that for about 1.5 years before the audience told us that we were on the right track.
We also greatly underestimated the amount of work that arises from live tests around the clock during the entire development. We have to treat the game fundamentally as a live service while still developing it.
Constant communication with your community is fantastic in one respect, but responding to that feedback takes a lot of time.
What are the plans for the future? Crowfall recently announced that the last milestone of development is expected to be completed in January 2020.
After that, the plans are as follows:
- Bringing the update to the LIVE environment.
- Bugs fixing and polishing
- Inviting interested parties to a beta
- The first beta test with many volunteers.
You can still sign up for these beta tests. Additionally, there is already a live environment that you can join with a backer package worth 50 Euros.
What went wrong with Ashes of Creation?
What is Ashes of Creation? Ashes of Creation is a sandbox MMORPG where the entire game world is supposed to be dynamic. Every area should be controlled, conquered, and expanded by players . The expansion is also supposed to affect neighboring areas and possible alliances.
The MMORPG is expected to involve political duels for the leadership of a city and massive battles for fortresses. Additionally, Ashes of Creation focuses on classic elements such as:
- Crafting
- Trading between players
- Housing in cities
What was planned for 2019? In the original release plan, it was stated that Ashes of Creation should be released before 2020. The first alpha was supposed to start at the beginning of the year:
- Alpha 1 – Q1/Q2 2019
- Alpha 2 – Q3 2019
- Closed Beta – Q3 2019
- Open Beta – 2019
- Headstart/Release – 2019
The developers of Intrepid Studios could not keep this tight schedule. It is now officially no longer valid.
Why was the release of Ashes of Creation delayed? The alpha 0 was actually supposed to start in December 2018 as Apocalypse. The planned release severely disrupted the studio’s timeline due to many server and overall development issues. Further tests in January and February also showed problems, preventing Apocalypse from being released.
With the delayed release of the PvP game, the subsequent alpha 1 was also postponed. It was supposed to start in early 2019, but at this time, October 19, 2019, it still hasn’t started.
What are the plans for the future? At the end of September, Intrepid Studios officially released Ashes of Creation Apocalypse in Early Access. The developers emphasize how important the release is for the MMORPG.
All the issues caused by the server and client can be avoided during the alpha and beta tests. The combat system will also undergo extensive testing in the PvP standalone.
In the coming months, more game modes for Apocalypse are planned, including fortress battles that will also serve to prepare for the MMORPG.
When the currently suspended alpha 1 will start and when a new release timeframe will be targeted is currently unknown. However, a developer letter with new information is expected to follow in October 2019.
What went wrong with Project TL?
What is Project TL? Project TL was originally called Lineage Eternal and was intended as a hybrid game for PC and smartphones. There have since been changes in the development team, the engine, and the direction of the game.
Project TL is now set to become an action MMORPG for PC. It promises:
- Unreal Engine 4 with particularly great graphics and dynamic weather
- Destructible worlds
- At least five announced playable classes
What was planned for 2019? In May 2018, it was stated that Project TL would definitely be released in 2019. Before that, there was to be a first beta in South Korea.
Currently, it seems far from these goals. We hear nothing more about the new MMORPG, and the developer NCSoft has gone quiet on other projects as well.
A release in 2019 is theoretically still possible, practically, however, extremely unlikely.
Why was the release of Project TL delayed? It seems that Project TL is mainly failing due to the fact that mobile games are more lucrative for NCSoft. Much focus is on the hit Lineage M, which has been delivering good results in the latest quarterly figures.
A successor, Lineage 2M, is already ready to launch.
What are the plans for the future? Although Project TL has gone quiet lately, it seems the game has not been abandoned. NCSoft is still looking for developers for the interface and PvE content.
In November, there will be a “Media Day”, where new information about the MMORPG could be revealed.
Where do the remaining major western MMORPGs stand in 2019?
While the three MMORPGs shown above had actually announced a release for 2019, there are many other games that are significantly behind their original timeline or have not provided a release timeframe.
We would like to take another look at three of these games, as they are all being developed here in the West.
Camelot Unchained
What is happening currently with Camelot Unchained? Work on Camelot Unchained continued in 2019. However, there were no major headlines, just many minor adjustments that have been summarized for you:
When is a release realistic? While you get the impression that Crowfall is slowly nearing the finish line, Camelot Unchained still has a huge mountain of work ahead.
Currently, it seems that a release in 2020 is unlikely. At least financially, there seems to be no significant pressure.
Chronicles of Elyria
What is currently happening with Chronicles of Elyria? The very ambitious Chronicles of Elyria is struggling with several problems. The development is progressing slowly, and as early as 2018 there were first layoffs because no publisher could be found.
Although the MMORPG has some really interesting ideas, many players are losing faith in the game, even if they were able to share kingdoms among each other.
When is a release realistic? Chronicles of Elyria could be a game that may never release. Currently, neither financially nor in terms of playability does it look good.
A release in 2020 already seems highly unlikely.
New World
What is currently happening with New World? The alpha of New World, the sandbox MMO from Amazon, ended in June 2019. Since then, we haven’t heard much about the game.
In September, however, all videos from the official Youtube channel were surprisingly deleted. In a message to us, Amazon assured that New World is still in development and has not been canceled. At least financially, the game has substantial backing.
When is a release realistic? The feedback from players from the alpha was generally positive, although many wished for a better combat system and balance among the guilds. Our initial impression of New World was also optimistic.
However, these two aspects are crucial pillars for an MMO, so Amazon may be adjusting these levers. Such a significant intervention could take time.
A release in 2020 is certainly possible.
2019 was not a good year for MMORPG fans. It seems that Astellia and ArcheAge Unchained are the only major games this year:
