What exciting things will happen in the MMO genre in 2023? We show you the most exciting upcoming MMOs in the overview.
2022 was a much better MMO year than expected. Besides the release of Lost Ark and Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons in February, the new WoW expansion Dragonflight was also released at the end of November, which according to GlobalESportNews Test is finally on the upswing again.
But what is the forecast for 2023? We have researched for you and picked out the most promising MMOs for the coming year. There are some exciting candidates that you either already know about thanks to postponements or perhaps don”t even have on your radar yet.
If you are currently looking for an MMO and don”t want to wait for the release of a new one, you will find a great selection in our list of the best current MMORPGs for PC. If you don”t know which MMORPG suits you best, take a look at our big MMO comparison.
Project TL (Lineage Eternal)
(Developer: NCSoft Korea – Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox X – Release: 2023? – Cost Model: Unknown)
What is this? Formerly known as Lineage Eternal, Project TL wants to take Diablo as a model. Actually, the project was supposed to be released in 2016, but developer NCSoft threw everything over again shortly before and started again from scratch.
What makes it special? Project TL also relies on Unreal Engine 4 and bombastic scenes, which makes it stand out visually. Unfortunately, not much is known about the project, but we expect similar gameplay to Lost Ark.
What can you expect in 2023? There was already speculation about a release of the MMO in 2022. (According to an earnings call) by NCSoft, however, the release was postponed to the first half of 2023. So far we know next to nothing about the game, which is said to be almost ready.
Odin: Valhalla Rising
(Developer: Lionheart Studio – Platform: PC – Release: Q4 2023 – Cost Model: Free2Play)
What is it? As the name suggests, Odin: Valhalla Rising is a Viking MMO that deals with the Norse saga world. The MMORPG is distributed by the Korean publisher Kakao Games, who were already active for Black Desert Online.
What makes it special? The focus on Norse mythology and the Unreal Engine 4 give the MMO a very special touch. So far there are four confirmed classes (warrior, rogue, priest and sorceress). In addition, thanks to cross-play, you can play it on PC and on your smartphone.
What can you expect in 2023? After the MMO was released in Asia in 2022, a western release date in Q4 2023 is now planned. But how you can already play the MMO is revealed to you by our colleagues from MeinMMO in their guide to Odin: Valhalla Rising.
Pioneer
(Developer: Lionheart Studio – Platform: PC – Release: 2023 – Cost Model: Unknown)
What is it? Pioner is a genre mix of classic MMO, survival elements and first-person shooter gameplay. As a former Speznas agent, you must survive on an island in the post-apocalypse against all kinds of monsters and other dangers. Your goal is to rescue your lost companions and investigate a mysterious MOGILNIK station.
What makes it special? The mix of post-apocalypse, shooter elements and first-person view make Pioneer a special candidate. Basically, the MMO is designed more for PvE content than for PvP. You can optimise your weapon and join different factions. You will also be able to experience a story. At first glance, the MMO looks more like The Division 2 or Stalker, which is why it will be exciting to see how much MMO is actually in this genre mix.
What can you expect in 2023? Supposedly Pioner will be released in 2023. However, a release was also announced for 2022. There really isn”t much information about the shooter MMO yet, which is why you should be cautiously optimistic.
Blue Protocol
(Developer: Bandai Namco – Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S – Release: 2023 – Cost Model: Free2Play)
What is it? Blue Protocol is a PvE-focused MMO with a time travel story and fantasy setting and sci-fi elements. In the world of Regnas, you explore the background of your origins and get caught up in the events surrounding the rescue of the planet. The use of too much technology has disturbed the space-time continuum. Regnas is on the brink of destruction and it is up to you to pull the proverbial cart out of the mud.
What makes it special? Blue Protocol is a theme park MMO divided into hubs, cities and instanced areas. The combat system relies on a fast-paced and action-packed style of combo attacks, dodge rolls and targeting enemies. You also have to craft your own equipment. It is not collected from enemies as loot.
What can you expect in 2023? According to the developer, the MMO will be released in the second half of 2023.
Outlook: These MMOs you should keep on your radar after 2023
For many developments and projects, an exact release date has not yet been set. Nevertheless, you should keep an eye on these MMOs.
Ashes of Creation
(Developer: Intrepid Studios – Platform: PC – Release: unknown – Cost model: Subscription)
What is it? The sandbox MMO Ashes of Creation is a mix of fantasy and medieval and is currently still in the pre-alpha phase. The standalone survival game Ashes of Creation: Apocalypse has already appeared in Early Access as a prequel to the MMORPG.
What makes it special? Ashes of Creation wants to stand out from other competitors by means of a reactive world in which the world reacts to your actions and changes. This is to happen through a complex economic system, as well as dynamic quests and castle sieges.
What can you expect in 2023? Probably not a full release, because currently there is still a lot to do to make Ashes of Creation a well-rounded MMORPG. The alpha testers expect a release in 2023 or even 2024. We rather expect the later date.
The Ragnarok
(Developer: NetEase – Platform: PC – Release: unknown – Cost model: Free2Play)
What is it? The Ragnarök, formerly known as Project Ragnarök, will be an MMORPG in a Norse mythological open world. It is being developed by the Chinese company NetEase, which has announced the MMO as a AAA production.
What makes it special? In an interview with the colleagues of MyMMO the developers revealed that The Ragnarök wants to orientate itself strongly on God of War in terms of the battle system. In addition, dynamic movement such as climbing, flying, gliding and riding will make the journey through the open world exciting. You can get an idea of what this will look like in the MMO in the trailer embedded above.
What can you expect in 2023? So far we know almost nothing about this MMO – except that it is being developed with a focus on mobile gaming. Furthermore, according to an interview with the colleagues from Wccftech, a small beta phase was planned, but apparently not (publicly) carried out. Since the release of the new trailer, the developers have gone quiet.
Into The Echo
(Developer: Etlock Studios – Platform: PC – Release: unknown – Cost model: Unknown)
What is it? Into The Echo sees itself as a time travel MMO and is set on the planet Raava, where the inhabitants are affected by a yet unspecified ability called Quen. Besides classic MMO parts like fighting and crafting, time travel is also supposed to be possible. However, we don”t yet know what this will look like in detail.
What makes it special? Into the Echo will not have a classic experience point and progression system. The developers” vision envisages a dynamic approach where you don”t all have to follow the same path to progress in the MMO. Sounds vague? So far it is, because there is no gameplay footage of it. But the developers (have outlined their idea of the progression system) in writing.
What can you expect in 2023? Probably not a release, but a pre-alpha phase. This was supposed to start in 2022, but was postponed due to Russia”s war of aggression on Ukraine. If you want to take part in the pre-alpha phase, you can register (on the developers” website) for it.
Pantheon – Rise Of the Fallen
(Developer: Visionary Realms – Platform: PC – Release: unknown – Cost model: Unknown)
What is it? The high-fantasy MMO is set on the world of Terminus – a world built like a melting pot of all kinds of cultures and deities. But the connection to the deities has been severed since the war mages disappeared, who once saved Terminus from the insane Ginto people. Now the peoples are trying to reconnect with their gods.
What makes it special? In Pantheon you can create a character from (9 different races) and (12 classes), but not all races can choose all classes. The MMO wants to put special emphasis on the social aspects of the game. That means you join groups and guilds and fight together against NPCs. PvP is only planned on a small scale. In addition, you can also move around in the seamless world using the climbing system.
What can you expect in 2023? You should not expect a release in 2023. However, pre-alpha testing has already begun in March 2022. Thus, all supporters of the game can already take their first steps in the new MMO.
These MMOs have already been released, but will get exciting updates in 2023
Since MMOs naturally (should) keep us busy for quite a while, there are of course also quite a few already released genre representatives that want to get their groove on with new content and updates in 2023. Here, too, we have taken a look around for you and picked out the most exciting MMOs.
The Elder Scrolls Online
(Developer: ZeniMax Online Studios – Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One – Release: 2021 (Blackwood) – Cost Model: Buy2Play)
What is it? The Elder Scrolls Online has been considered one of the best MMOs for single player and RPG fans for years, after all it is directly descended from one of the most popular RPG series of all time and opens up the whole world of Tamriel to us piece by piece – which may well become a challenge for Elder Scrolls 6.
What makes it special? ESO already offers roleplayers a number of fully dubbed and varied quests in the base game and the numerous addons add even more areas, stories and quest series. So you can build your own personal ESO experience
What can you expect in 2023? ESO breaks with old traditions in the new year. Although a DLC is coming in Q1 as usual and the new expansion in June, the MMO is foregoing two DLCs at the back and instead wants to improve the game quality and develop a new system.
World of Warcraft
(Developer: Blizzard Entertainment – Platform: PC – Release: 2022 (Dragonflight) – Cost model: Subscription)
What is it? World of Warcraft is one of the oldest and most played MMOs ever. The MMO is now celebrating the release of its ninth expansion, Dragonflight, which takes you to the long-lost Dragon Isles. As usual, a whole series of quests, dungeons and raids await you there.
What makes it special? WoW is one of the MMO heavyweights and has significantly shaped the genre. Thanks to its huge world and constant content updates, it still captivates millions of players.
What can you expect in 2023? After the Dragonflight expansion was launched at the end of November 2023, Blizzard announced six smaller and larger updates for 2023. With this, WoW wants to learn from a Shadowlands past and already release patch 10.1 and 10.2 2023.
Final Fantasy 14
(Developer: Square Enix – Platform: PC, PS4, PS5- Release: 2021 (Endwalker) – Cost Model: Subscription)
What is it? Final Fantasy 14 is the MMORPG spin-off of the Final Fantasy series and has existed since 2011 under the improved version Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn. Since then, numerous players have remained loyal to it, not least because of its extensive fantasy story, the numerous dungeons and the never-ending flow of content.
What makes it special? Final Fantasy 14 shines with its varied classes and jobs, its successful Final Fantasy universe and its sheer scope. Above all, despite its age, it still offers something for the eye compared to other MMOs, as the characters and different worlds have been designed with incredible attention to detail.
What can you expect in 2023? On January 10th, the next big intermediate patch 6.3 will be released, which will continue with the new story after the Endwalker completion.
The Lord of the Rings Online
(Developer: Turbine Entertainment – Platform: PC – Release: 2013 (Helm”s Deep) – Cost Model: Free2Play)
What is this? And although The Lord of the Rings Online was launched back in 2007 and you can unfortunately see that in the aging graphics, it doesn”t have to hide from the other MMO heavyweights – especially since the latter might change with the upcoming graphics update.
What makes it special? Lord of the Rings Online has been a community favourite for many years for a reason and is still maintained by the developers with regular addons. After all, it creates an incomparable Lord of the Rings atmosphere at the time of the books and films – with well-known characters such as Frodo, Gandalf and Legolas.
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New World
(Developer: Amazon Game Studios – Platform: PC – Release: 2021 – Cost Model: Buy2Play)
What is it? The sandbox MMO from Amazon relies on a mix of PvE content such as raids and dungeons, as well as large PvP battles and sieges. On the fantasy island of Aeternum, you can also pass the time by crafting or leveling up professions.
What makes it special? New World does without fixed class corsets and instead gives you a whole host of weapons that you can level up as you wish. This way you can flexibly change your play style and try out different things.
What can you expect in 2023? Two big changes have already been announced for the first half of the year alone. In the spring, the Empyrean Forge expedition will improve the equipment system and the main story. A transmog system and the introduction of raid groups are planned for the summer. In addition, you can expect events, an elite exam and other small content.
Guild Wars 2
(Developer: ArenaNet – Platform: PC – Release: 2022 (End of Dragons) – Cost model: Free2Play (expansions chargeable).
What is it? Guild Wars 2 is the sequel to the 2005 MMO of the same name and takes place about 250 years after the events of the first part. Instead of waging war against other races, you join forces with them to fight the primordial dragons. You experience the story in a personally narrated story and through dynamic events.
What makes it special? Besides the main story and the various events, Guild Wars 2 shines especially through its well-attended and mature PvP system. If you value PvP brawls as well as good PvE content, then Guild Wars 2 is the right choice for you.
What can you expect in 2023? The developers do not want to present an elaborated roadmap for 2023 until the beginning of 2023. In their last update they mainly tease technical changes. For example, the DirectX11 transition is to be completed, the in-game browser is to be switched to Chromium Embedded Framework and work is to continue on the world versus world mode. Of course, you can also expect new content for End of Dragons.
Lost Ark
(Developer: Smilegate – Platform: PC – Release: 11 February 2022 – Cost Model: Free2Play)
What is it? The Korean action role-playing game is about what many Diablo fans currently want. The visually very pretty ARPG convinces with classic strengths like dungeons, boss opponents and selectable classes.
What makes it special? We already said it: Lost Ark takes on many strengths of Diablo, but focuses a bit more on skills than its Blizzard competitor. You can choose several different bonuses per skill and combine them cleverly with each other. This way, especially the tinkerers among you will get their money”s worth.
What can you expect in 2023? In January, Lost Ark will start directly into the Witcher event, where you can pick up suitable cosmetic items. In February (according to the roadmap) the Rowen continent will be opened and in April the Painter class will finally find its way into the EU version and a new Guardian Raid will be added.
