As for newer titles? Not much luck there. Other IPs such as Elder Scrolls Online, Wildstar and Star Wars have tried and failed. A combination of launch issues, lackluster gameplay and other player feedback is no doubt the cause, but the bigger question remains. Can newly launched MMORPGs justify a subscription model? Here are a couple of discussion points.

Can It Deliver Timely And Quality Content?

When players pay a monthly fee in 2022, the consumer privilege takes over. That means players expect better customer service, better maintenance and better content that comes at a steady pace. Free to play MMORPGs always struggle to juggle content. It can be a mixed bag, and major expansions take a long time to make due to the lack of funds off the bat. Additionally, players have to deal with shady monetization practices in the form of Pay To Win lootboxes and more that generally, they have no problems avoiding with a subscription fee.

If newer MMORPG games use a subscription model, the studio have to absolutely ensure that they cover all bases. Content and the quality of said content will be incredibly vital to its success. Game play will also have to be stellar, or players will just move on to the next or return to whatever game they came from. The first month after launch is always the best barometer to gauge how successful your launch is. Adding new content ASAP is a good strategy, and to do that quickly, you need that funding injection that can only come from subscribers who pay that monthly fee.

Does It Have An X-Factor?

Content aside, the other factor is the X Factor. What’s so special about your MMO that you think it deserves a monthly sub? WoW can justify this by being a sort of pioneer of the Theme Park in an age where competitors were way behind. They perfected the quest-hub crawl, narrative driven dungeons and more. Final Fantasy can claim that “if you want an MMO, you gotta pay or else you won’t get to experience a FF MMORPG anywhere else”. The story-telling content is also incredibly authentic to what you find in single player Final Fantasy games. Both are justified. Therefore anything newer will have to have a surreal amount of hype and wanting.

The middle ground is of course, going with the buy to play model that has worked for several games like Elder Scrolls Online, Guild Wars 2 and Black Desert Online. While a subscription fee is optional (ESO, BDO), these games generally do decent in terms of player numbers and content releases.

Final Thoughts

In short, there’s nothing wrong about launching an MMORPG with a subscription model, under one caveat. You have to absolutely earn it in your first month as an MMORPG. Can you deliver what you promise, and pump out quality content quickly to retain your playerbase? If games think they can, then there should be no reason why it can’t join the likes of World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV in charging that sweet monthly fee.

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RIFT

When Trion Worlds become a part of Gamigo all those years ago, many RIFT players were cautiously optimistic. Prior to that, the 2009 launched MMORPG had just wrapped up an experimental classic server called RIFT Prime that proved popular, and saw many return to the game. The future looked bright, before it all went stale. RIFT hasn’t gotten any substantial new content in over 4 years. Earlier this year Gamigo said that a big update with new content would be coming in 2022, but it has been delayed. When it finally arrives, will it be enough to satisfy what’s left of the RIFT playerbase? This is one MMORPG that’s definitely on the rails and worth keeping an eye on.

Diablo Immortal

Remember the backlash Blizzard received when they announced that the next Diablo game would be a mobile MMORPG? Well, NetEase and Blizzard are gearing up to launch it on Android and iOS this summer, and they’ve done a pretty good job at weathering the storm thus far. The closed beta test was a massive success, and pre-registration numbers are looking good. If they can manage to sustain the hype post-launch, while maintaining a good game that’s catered for both Diablo and MMORPG enthusiasts, then it should be a big win.

Crowfall

Crowfall is in a sticky situation. Unlike other MMORPGs that go for a wider audience with the tried and tested PvE theme-park attractions and PvP content, Crowfall is primarily a PvP MMO with RvR modes that aren’t permanent. When it launched out of early access, things were looking good for awhile, but the issues began to show. Its crafting system was hugely complicated, and outside of prime hours, the Crowfall campaign maps were just empty with nothing to do for smaller groups or solo players. In fact, it isn’t solo friendly at all, which is something most modern MMORPG titles try to accomodate. In late 2021, developers ArtCraft sold everything to Monumental, an indie studio, and it is unsure if they would collaborate in the future. So where does that leave Crowfall? With player numbers dwindling and interest waning, Crowfall needs to push out something extraordinary in 2022.

New World

Amazon Game Studios has two MMORPGs on opposite trajectories. Lost Ark, which it helped publish in the West, is probably the most popular MMORPG of 2022, while New World, its flagship in-house developed MMORPG, is on a downward spiral. How did this happen? New World wasn’t even supposed to be this theme-park-ish MMORPG. It started out as a sandbox PvP survival MMO with the familiar crafting and territorial push-and-pull that offered GvG content. AGS decided to change that to make New World appeal to the masses, and here we are. New World’s launch issues are a whole different beast of course. Exploits, botting and cheating did little to help keep the many servers fair and playable, while the lack of roadmap and new content during the first three months after launch ensured that players left to return to their favorite MMORPGs, as New World had nothing else or fresh to offer. Therefore, 2022 will be a big year for New World if they want to get those player numbers raising again, which is vital for a buy to play MMORPG.

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Venturing into the Valleys comes with a level cap increase, new maps, dungeons, events, and much more. Players can start the new year in Aura Kingdom with new challenges and an increased level cap – the maximum level is now Slv25 (125). Four new fame quests will be handed out by Mirabelle and they’ll allow access to the dungeons Hidden Crystals Cave, Ancestral Spirits Temple, Otherworld: Glacial Ice Cavern and Otherworld: Subterranean Sanctuary. These quests can be completed every day but only once per day.

New Map: Snow Crystal Plains

A city famous for its crystal and unique scenery. Winter is still in full swing here! However, for all its breathtaking beauty, it has never been a place of peace. Here, the past and present are of no importance.

New Map: Deep Hidden Valley

The density of the majestic trees hides most of the sunlight – as if they didn’t want the sun’s rays to reach the people down below. The atmosphere is peaceful, but there is something unsettling about it! Players should get ready to fish, collect, dig, cook, learn the stories of the villagers and receive many new achievements!

New Dungeon: Deer Valley

The once Avian Artifact Sanctuary is now completely overrun by dangerous monsters, who lie in wait for their next prey.

New Dungeon: Blue Valley Secret Realm

The landscape will enchant players with blue plants filling the valley and moss covering every stone step. Looking up, they will see a beautiful golden glow spread throughout the forest. But not all is bliss. Little by little, this beautiful energy has been corrupted by an evil aura that begins to rise from deep within the forest.

Eidolon Story Dungeon “Alucard”

Further adventures await with a group of otters digging holes in Cactakara Forest and a horde of sea creatures invading the north side of the Helonia Coast.

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