MMORPG

MMORPG stands for massively multiplayer online role-playing game. It is a subgenre of role-playing games in which a large number of players inhabit a persistent virtual world, creating characters, forming parties and guilds, and taking part in quests, combat, and exploration. Gameplay emphasizes character progression, social interaction, collaborative content, and a shared economy.

The genre traces its roots to text-based MUDs of the 1980s and evolved through graphical titles such as Ultima Online (1997) and EverQuest (1999). It reached mainstream popularity with World of Warcraft (2004), which demonstrated large-scale social play and regular raid content. Since then, numerous MMORPGs have offered fantasy, sci-fi, or other settings, often blending traditional RPG systems with persistent worlds and social features.

Core mechanics typically include a persistent online world, character creation and leveling, questing, looting and crafting, and various forms of combat. Players form parties or join guilds, participate in player-versus-environment content like dungeons and raids, or engage in player-versus-player activities such as arenas and open-world conflicts. Many MMORPGs also feature player-driven economies, housing, cosmetics, and other systems that encourage ongoing participation.

Business models vary from subscriptions to free-to-play with microtransactions or buy-to-play access. Most MMORPGs are centered on PC gameplay, with some titles available on consoles or cross-platform. Notable examples include World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, The Elder Scrolls Online, RuneScape, and EVE Online. Subgenres range from theme-park MMORPGs that guide players through content to sandbox MMORPGs emphasizing emergent, player-created experiences.

The genre faces criticisms related to time investment, grind, and monetization practices, but it remains a significant part of online gaming culture with ongoing development and large, dedicated communities.