Exploring the MMORPG Genre: A Personal Journey
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In my recent journey through the MMORPG world, I've discovered a lot about different gaming mechanics and narratives.
Prior to 2020, I had never engaged with an MMORPG, which might come as a surprise to those familiar with my gaming background. I typically preferred single-player experiences or competitive online games like Rocket League and Call of Duty.
However, at the tail end of 2021, the release of New World caught my attention. I frequently encountered it on TikTok, with various creators promoting its merits. Concurrently, friends were praising its quality.
As a result, I, along with a few friends, decided to purchase the game right after its launch. I can’t pinpoint exactly what drew me in, but I found myself captivated from the get-go. I completed the entire storyline with my friends and continue to play actively.
Sadly, my friends drifted away from the game, but my enthusiasm remained unshaken. After logging several hundred hours into New World, my curiosity about other MMORPGs was piqued. The titles that intrigued me included:
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
- Lost Ark
- Black Desert Online
Of these, The Elder Scrolls Online was the most akin to New World, featuring action-combat mechanics. I played through its narrative with a friend for about 30 to 40 hours. While I found the combat less engaging than New World, the storytelling kept me invested, and I intend to return to it in the future.
Next, I tried Black Desert Online, another action-combat title. My time there was shorter compared to Elder Scrolls, yet it was still a moderately enjoyable experience.
Coincidentally, as I explored other MMORPGs, Lost Ark was launched. Developed by Amazon Games Studios, like New World, it diverged into a non-action-combat structure. The gameplay, using keyboard abilities and mouse navigation, did not resonate with me, leading to a brief stint in the game.
I also ventured into Star Wars: The Old Republic, excited by the concept of an MMORPG set in the Star Wars universe. However, my enthusiasm waned upon realizing it wasn’t action-combat. This might be an unpopular stance, but I prefer having direct control over each attack in my MMORPG experiences, which made Star Wars less appealing.
Consequently, I didn’t explore tab-target games such as World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV Online. I believe that my initial experience with New World raised my expectations for gameplay mechanics. While it may not be the most renowned MMORPG, few can argue against its impressive PvP combat.
I acknowledge that many games offer superior narratives, environments, quests, and overall experiences compared to New World. However, due to my preference for gameplay mechanics, I find it challenging to dive into those alternatives.
On a brighter note, two MMORPGs have caught my interest and may lure me away from New World. The first is Throne and Liberty, developed by NCSOFT, known for their previous Lineage titles. While details remain scarce, an intriguing trailer has been released.
The title I’m most excited about is Ashes of Creation, created by the small team at Intrepid Studios. They aim to craft an MMORPG that surpasses current mid-tier options, fueled by their passion for the genre. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it promises stunning visuals. They had an alpha testing phase last year, and I'm hopeful for an upcoming alpha 2 period.
I genuinely believe Ashes of Creation will captivate me, given its extensive map and diverse territories. Their YouTube channel consistently updates the development progress, which is worth checking out.
My exploration of the MMORPG landscape has only begun, and I have plenty more games to investigate. Although I favor action-combat mechanics, I’m open to trying a variety of games.
If you're into MMORPGs, I’d love to hear your recommendations and the reasons behind your choices. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my experiences.
Update on Illumination Gaming
I have recently created and uploaded a video on YouTube about my new gaming publication, which I think you will find insightful. I encourage gamers to join my publication as both writers and readers. You can find the video on Illumination’s YouTube Channel.
If YouTube is not accessible to you, the transcript of the video is available in the attached post.
A Warm Invitation to Join Illumination Gaming Publication on Medium
This YouTube presentation is aimed at potential writers and readers. I genuinely appreciate your feedback and participation in this exciting endeavor. My goal is to create a space for gamers and writers on Medium.
I write about gaming and social media topics, and I also manage two publications on Medium—one for YouTubers and another for gamers. If you’re interested, I would be delighted to host your stories and promote them.
For further details on how to join, please check the invitations outlining the scope of the publications.
- Invitation: Join ILLUMINATION Gaming Publication as a Writer
- Invitation to Write for ILLUMINATION on YouTube Publication
Writer applications can be submitted via this link.
Sample Gaming Stories In My Collection
- Updates on Current Gaming News #11
- Updates on Current Gaming News #10
- This Update Just Might Revive New World
- Updates on Current Gaming News #9
- Updates on Current Gaming News #8
- Updates on Current Gaming News #7
- A Few Great Games Parents Can Play With Their Kids
- Updates On Current Gaming News #6
- A Gaming Monitor Like You’ve Never Seen
- Updates on Current Gaming News #4
- Futurama: Hit & Run
- Here’s My Experience with Spider-Man Remastered.
- Capes: A Superhero Game In Which The Bad Guys Have Already Won
- Iron Man Game from Just Cause Devs Was Cancelled.
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II News
- Updates on Current Gaming News #2
- Wreckreation: Introducing a Unique and a New Racing Game
- Updates on Current Gaming News
- Cloud Gaming Will Soon Be Easier to Access Than Regular Gaming
- Fans of Famous Twitch Streamers Might Bankrupt Due to Crypto Gambling Games
- Let’s Talk About Smurfs in Competitive Games.
- Video Game Cheat Creators Receive Harsh Punishment
- Updates on NVIDIA’s RTX 40 Series
- Logitech G and Tencent Games Announces Handheld Cloud Gaming Console
- PlayStation Games That Are Finally Coming To PC
- Stray Is a Wholesome Cat Adventure Game We Didn’t Know We Needed
- The Backbone One: An Excellent Controller For Mobile Gaming
- A New Hope For Portable Gaming
- Let’s Talk About Gaming Simulators Today.
- Finally, I Read and Heard Interesting Rumors About Grand Theft Auto 6.
- Playstation 5: There’s Demand But No Supply.
- Five Exciting New Games Releasing This Year
- Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games
- The All-New PlayStation Plus Is Finally Here
- The Rise, Fall, and Rise of Fall Guys
- Turbo Golf Racing Is on Its Way!
- Multiversus’ Announcement Excited Me Beyond Words.
- Splitgate: An Interesting Take on the FPS Gaming Genre
- Let’s Talk About eSports Today.
- How Pay-To-Win Games Ruin Player Experience
- My Top Five Most Nostalgic Games
- How Mobile Gaming Has Evolved
- Here’s How Minecraft Evolved Over the Years
- Beginners Guide to Gaming Gear and Peripherals
- Let’s Talk About Game Launchers and Storefronts
- High on Life: The Upcoming Game Set in the Rick & Morty Universe
- Overwatch 2 Is Almost Here
- What Computer Games Mean to Me and Why I Play Them
- Do You Want to Learn How Slot Machines Work?
- Let’s Talk About Idiosyncrasies of Teabagging in Gaming
- Tribute to Technoblade (aka Alex) RIP
Recent Stories on Other Topics
- Why Elon Musk Sold His Bitcoin Shares Out of Blue
- Covid Virus Finally Infected Me Despite Intense Cautions.
- Why Everyone Unfollowed Me Today
- The Follower Bug Manifests in Different Shapes and Forms
If you have had similar experiences, please share your thoughts.
I enjoy collaborating with writers and featuring them on YouTube. You can explore my collection titled Meet Top Writers on YouTube, which includes introductions to prolific writers from Illumination Integrated Publications on Medium through YouTube videos.
Connection with Writers and Readers on Medium
I write informative and inspiring articles covering gaming, filmmaking, media, and design. Subscribing to my account will keep you updated on my posts on Medium. I also contribute as a volunteer editor for Illumination Integrated Publications and participate in collaborative activities in the Slack Workspace.
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