2025 MMO Review Highlights

Since 2014, each year has seen our comprehensive review of the MMO landscape, and 2025 was no exception. As we wrap up the year, we’re revisiting our extensive awards, articles, and reflections published throughout late December 2025 and early January 2026.

Throughout this period, we awarded 23 prestigious honors, complemented by our annual summaries, top lists, forecasts, and special features like the Golden Yachties, oddities, community debates, and retrospectives. Consistent with tradition, over 100 special articles were published, each celebrating our winners with original artwork commissioned from Larry. Interestingly, Larry also created a second piece featuring Mo farting, which I considered using but ultimately decided against—though I admit, I was tempted.

After exploring our awards in detail, we’ve compiled all the end-of-year articles, giving you an easy way to browse through any content you might have missed during the holiday season. Dive in and enjoy the recap!

Here are the standout winners for 2025:

• MMORPG of the Year: Guild Wars 2
• Expansion of the Year: Guild Wars 2: Visions of Eternity
• Most Anticipated MMO: Star’s Reach
• Studio of the Year: Elder Game
• Indie MMO of the Year: Eterspire
• Most Improved MMORPG: Guild Wars Reforged
• Most Underrated MMORPG: Project Gorgon
• Best Classic MMO: Lord of the Rings Online
• Best Rogue Server: Marvel Heroes Tahiti
• Best PvP MMO: Dune Awakening
• New Class of the Year: Guild Wars 2’s Antiquary
• Housing of the Year: World of Warcraft
• Crafting System of the Year: Bitcraft
• Best Business Model: Guild Wars 2 & RuneScape
• Worst Business Model: Ship of Heroes
• Biggest MMO Story: The Collapse of Amazon Games
• Biggest MMO Blunder: The Death of Blackbird
• Biggest Surprise: Guild Wars Reforged
• Biggest Disappointment: New World
• Trending MMO: Old MMOs Rising to the Challenge
• Stormiest Future: New World
• Not-So-Massively Game of the Year: Necesse & Palia
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Star Wars: The Old Republic

We also provide detailed breakdowns of each award, including past winners and community voting results where applicable. Historically, awards post-2015 often incorporated community input, with earlier years (notably 2009 and 2010) occasionally featuring only community votes.

Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate and analyze the evolving MMO scene, reflecting on what made 2025 a memorable year.

Our annual awards aim to honor both the latest and the most enduring MMORPGs, recognizing the classics alongside new contenders. This approach ensures that no significant title is overlooked, regardless of its age or state of service.

In recent years, the category has seen a diverse array of winners—from timeless staples to fresh releases—highlighting the genre's evolution.

For 2025, the standout was undeniably Guild Wars 2, which impressed with a substantial expansion that revitalized its world while a major overhaul of its predecessor was underway.

While GW2 seemed like the natural choice, it’s noteworthy that despite numerous accolades—particularly for its studio, innovative business model, and expansions—it hadn’t claimed our ultimate Game of the Year honor since its debut in 2012.

This year’s recognition might then be a fitting culmination of its ongoing excellence, marking a significant milestone for the game.

Our community's feedback via the reader poll further confirmed this sentiment, solidifying Guild Wars 2’s status as the year's top MMORPG.

Other notable titles from the past include Lord of the Rings Online, Lost Ark, Final Fantasy XIV, Elder Scrolls Online, Black Desert, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Star Trek Online, Fallen Earth, and Dungeons & Dragons, reflecting the genre’s rich diversity.

Overall, 2025 showcased a balanced mix of legacy and innovation, with Guild Wars 2 shining as a testament to enduring quality and community support.

Throughout 2025, the MMO genre saw a variety of exciting updates and expansions, shaping the gaming landscape in significant ways. Notably, Guild Wars 2 continued its impressive streak by securing the award for Best Expansion for the fourth consecutive year, maintaining its undefeated record since the category's inception. This achievement was partly bolstered by a year rich in content updates, even if formal expansions were less frequent.

Several standout releases defined the year's milestones, with titles like Final Fantasy XIV’s Endwalker and Shadowbringers, World of Warcraft’s Shadowlands and Legion, and Elder Scrolls Online’s Summerset all contributing to a dynamic ecosystem. Guild Wars 2's expansions, including Heart of Thorns, Path of Fire, and the End of Dragons, alongside major updates such as the Visions of Eternity, Janthir Wilds, and Secrets of the Obscure, kept players engaged and excited.

Community polls reflected a strong consensus, with 2025 marking the 11th year in a row that players' choices aligned with our selected winners, showcasing consistent community trust. Among the most celebrated content, Visions of Eternity was recognized as the standout update, though the enthusiasm for New World’s Nighthaven also gained notable attention.

Looking ahead, 2026 promises to bring a new competitive landscape, which will test whether Guild Wars 2’s winning streak and community preferences will continue. Until then, 2025 stands out as a remarkable year filled with meaningful updates and passionate player engagement across the MMORPG sphere.

The list of most eagerly awaited MMORPGs continues to evolve, with several titles maintaining their popularity over time. Stars Reach has impressively claimed the top spot for the second consecutive year, showcasing its enduring appeal. Unlike many games that start strong but gradually fade from public interest, Stars Reach appears to be sustaining its momentum, likely due to ongoing development and community support.

Among other notable entries, Monsters & Memories remains a fan favorite, as does Nightingale, which continues to generate excitement within its niche. Soulframe, inspired by Ashes of Creation, is also generating buzz among enthusiasts eager for its release. Palia and Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons remain prominent on the radar, with the latter continuing to captivate players with its rich content.

New titles like Crimson Desert and Book of Travels are gaining attention, alongside Torchlight Frontiers, which is associated with Pantheon. Crowfall continues to hold a place in the community's heart, sharing the spotlight with Shroud of the Avatar. Star Citizen, a long-standing project, maintains its high anticipation levels, even as other space-themed MMOs like Camelot Unchained and Star Trek Online also garner interest.

Interestingly, EverQuest Next and Landmark, once highly anticipated, have seen their prominence diminish, possibly due to shifting focus to newer projects. WildStar, despite its closure, still resonates in discussions alongside Guild Wars 2 and other classics.

Community polls, such as those conducted by Monsters & Memories, reveal consistent support for these titles, though Light No Fire narrowly surpassed Stars Reach in recent reader votes. This indicates a vibrant, engaged fanbase eager to see these worlds continue to grow and develop over time.

In 2025, the Elder Game studio received the prestigious Staff Pick for Studio of the Year, a tribute both to Sandra Powers’ enduring legacy and to the remarkable resilience of the Project Gorgon team, who made significant enhancements despite her tragic passing.

This recognition highlights the studio’s dedication and ability to thrive in challenging circumstances, setting a high standard within the MMO industry.

Meanwhile, the community poll reflected diverse preferences, with many fans emphasizing the importance of Niche Worlds Cult and showcasing strong support for Arenanet and Elder Game.

The accolades underline a year where innovation, perseverance, and community involvement played pivotal roles in shaping the MMO landscape.

Overall, the awards and community votes highlight a vibrant and evolving industry, celebrating studios that push boundaries and honor their histories through their ongoing projects.

The "Most Improved MMORPG" award is designed to recognize games that have made significant strides forward, often through fundamental changes rather than just expansions or content updates. This year, the accolade was awarded to Guild Wars Reforged.

This is notable because Guild Wars Reforged is one of the oldest MMORPGs to receive such recognition, highlighting the dedicated efforts of multiple teams working together to overhaul and modernize the game.

Their work focused on making the game accessible and enjoyable for a new generation of players and across different platforms.

The gaming community largely agreed with this choice, viewing it as a well-deserved honor.

Meanwhile, many fans also expressed appreciation for New World's Nighthaven expansion, which marked a significant advancement for the title.

Unfortunately, the momentum was somewhat dampened by Amazon Games' subsequent missteps, which affected the game's ongoing development and reception.

In the realm of MMORPG business models, Guild Wars 2 and RuneScape stood out prominently in 2025. Guild Wars 2 maintained its stronghold, largely thanks to its player-friendly buy-to-play approach. However, this year, the award was shared, recognizing RuneScape's commendable move away from lockboxes, which garnered appreciation alongside Guild Wars 2.

The community's top choice remained Guild Wars 2 for the fifth consecutive year, highlighting its consistent appeal. The preferences of dedicated players underscore the importance of accessible and transparent monetization strategies in the competitive MMO landscape.

Meanwhile, titles like Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and The Elder Scrolls Online generated mixed opinions, with no clear consensus emerging among voters. This diversity reflects differing player priorities and the evolving nature of MMORPG business models overall.

In the realm of MMORPGs that often fly under the radar, several titles stand out for their unique qualities and dedicated communities. Among these, Project Gorgon has garnered attention as a highly underrated gem. Despite its modest size, it boasts impressive ratings on Steam, reflecting its quality and appeal. Our team members, having invested significant time into the game, are particularly impressed by its rich features and engaging gameplay, which many players are about to experience firsthand as the game prepares for its official launch this month.

Additionally, Embers Adrift has received recognition from our readership as another deserving contender in the underrated category. Its immersive world and community-driven experience make it a noteworthy option for those seeking something beyond mainstream MMORPGs.

Reflecting on last year’s awards, we noted how the category often descends into chaos, with debates over what qualifies as underrated. This year was no different, as even Reddit users debated our choice of Project Gorgon, highlighting the game's growing reputation and the passionate discourse surrounding these titles. Overall, these games exemplify the diverse and vibrant landscape of lesser-known MMORPGs that are shaping the future of online gaming.

Throughout the past year, the MMORPG community has faced a whirlwind of upheavals and scandals that have captured industry attention. One of the most significant developments was the series of layoffs at Amazon Games, which marked a stark decline following the launch of their highly anticipated expansion for New World. Just days after its release, maintenance issues and internal shakeups signaled trouble, ultimately leading to Amazon’s retreat from active game development. This upheaval underscored a harsh reality: despite initial successes, corporate mismanagement can swiftly derail even the most promising projects, illustrating that industry success is not always a function of merit.

Concurrent with Amazon's struggles, the industry grappled with broader controversies. The Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard was a major headline, raising concerns about monopoly power and future industry consolidation. Meanwhile, Blizzard faced a series of scandals, including allegations of sexism and the infamous Real ID fiasco, which damaged its reputation significantly. The company’s boycotts and the contentious Hong Kong controversy further fueled public disillusionment.

The scene was also marred by ongoing debates around monetization, exemplified by the lockbox controversy, and the tragic demise of projects like EverQuest Next, which many fans had eagerly anticipated. Additionally, the drama surrounding Daybreak Games, from its sale amid COVID-19 disruptions to the Columbus Nova saga, highlighted the turbulent business side of MMORPG development. Eve Online's monoclegate and the fallout from 38 Studios’ collapse added to the narrative of industry instability.

Amid these upheavals, specific moments like ArcheAge’s controversies and the ongoing industry-wide layoffs reinforced a sobering truth: the industry’s landscape remains volatile and often dictated by executive decisions rather than creative merit. Our community largely agrees that the biggest story of the year was the mass layoffs at Amazon Games, illustrating how corporate missteps can have far-reaching impacts. As we look ahead, it seems increasingly likely that Amazon’s retreat signals a broader shift—perhaps a reminder that perseverance alone isn’t enough in this ever-changing industry.

In the end, these tumultuous events serve as a reminder that success in the MMO world is often hindered by leadership failures and corporate priorities, rather than by the quality of the games themselves. The hope remains that, with greater awareness, the industry can learn from these setbacks and foster a more transparent, merit-based environment in the future.

Throughout 2025, the landscape of MMO business models has been fraught with questionable choices and controversial ventures. Among the most criticized is the indie title Ship of Heroes, which currently has only a single player online, highlighting its struggles and poor reception. Despite its low player count, some still consider it a poor business approach compared to its more notorious counterparts.

Star Citizen remains a central figure in the discourse, with its ongoing crowdfunding efforts nearing the billion-dollar mark, yet it continues to be associated with various scandals, including links to cryptocurrency scams and blockchain hype. These issues have tainted its reputation amidst concerns over transparency and financial practices.

EVE Frontier also drew criticism for its aggressive promotion of blockchain and crypto integrations, contributing to the broader controversy surrounding crypto adoption in the gaming industry this year. Meanwhile, titles like Diablo Immortal faced backlash for their monetization strategies, reinforcing the perception of exploitative business models.

Other games such as Fallout 76 and Star Wars: The Old Republic have been scrutinized for their business choices, but the spotlight predominantly shines on the more contentious projects. Overall, the focus remains on steering the conversation back to sustainable and player-friendly business practices, rather than the allure of quick profits through dubious schemes.

Veteran MMORPGs Dominance

This year, veteran MMORPGs have taken the spotlight, showcasing their resilience and influence in shaping the genre's future. Many in the community see these enduring titles as safe havens amid the uncertainties of new releases and industry shifts.

While opinions vary on whether this trend is beneficial overall, there's a shared recognition that their dominance provides a much-needed breather for the genre.

On one hand, the lack of upcoming AAA MMORPGs can be disappointing, signaling a slowdown in big-budget innovation.

On the other hand, it grants existing games the opportunity to deepen their content, grow their player base, and stabilize their revenue streams.

Key developments include a resurgence of expansions and ongoing efforts to normalize solo endgame content and community unionization.

The industry is also witnessing a revival of classic mechanics like progression servers and rogue servers, alongside a renewed focus on community-driven content and sandbox elements.

Additionally, the decline of raid-centric gameplay on consoles and the rise of game industry union movements highlight ongoing organizational and structural shifts.

Overall, these trends suggest a period of consolidation and maturation for MMORPGs, with veteran titles leading the way into a new era of sustained engagement and innovation.

This year’s lineup featured a diverse array of titles, highlighting the broad spectrum of the MMO genre. Among the standout games were Palia and Necesse, which, despite their stark differences—one being a relaxing, community-focused mini-MMO, and the other a vibrant pixelated multiplayer sandbox—both resonated strongly with MMORPG enthusiasts. The community’s top picks included No Man’s Sky alongside Palia, reflecting a preference for expansive, exploration-driven experiences that extend beyond traditional MMORPGs.

V Rising and Path of Exile 2 drew significant attention, with V Rising earning recognition for its engaging survival mechanics set within a vampire-themed world. Baldur’s Gate 3 also made a splash, captivating players with its deep narrative and role-playing depth. Notably, V Rising was mentioned alongside Multiversus, emphasizing its popularity despite differing gameplay styles.

Valheim continued to impress fans as a cooperative survival game, while Genshin Impact and Animal Crossing: New Horizons were highlighted for their charming worlds and engaging gameplay, with Genshin Impact standing out as a preferred exploration RPG. No Man’s Sky maintained its relevance, appreciated for its ongoing evolution and expansive universe, sharing the spotlight with Path of Exile and Warframe, both praised for their complex mechanics and dedicated player communities.

Other notable titles included Overwatch, Ark: Survival Evolved, Hearthstone, and PlanetSide 2, each bringing unique gameplay experiences to the forefront. Arcane Legends was recognized as the best mobile MMO, showcasing the growing importance of portable gaming in the genre. Overall, the awards reflected a rich and varied landscape, celebrating titles that push the boundaries of multiplayer gaming and offer diverse experiences for fans around the world.

This year, the indie MMO scene saw some exciting contenders, but one small title truly captured everyone's attention. Eterspire, a charming and lighthearted casual MMORPG developed by a passionate indie team from Argentina, won the hearts of both the staff and the community. Its playful, wholesome gameplay struck a chord, making it stand out amid larger titles.

Interestingly, the recognition wasn't just internal; players echoed the staff’s enthusiasm, showing a strong communal endorsement. Many fans, including myself, invested significant time and some money into the game, especially enjoying it on the Steam Deck. Despite its modest size, Eterspire demonstrated how a simple, fun experience can resonate deeply with players.

While other titles like Project Gorgon, Zenith, and Ship of Heroes also garnered attention in the broader MMO landscape, Eterspire’s charm and community support set it apart this year. Its winning combination of accessible gameplay and genuine appeal proved that even indie projects can leave a lasting impact in the crowded MMO space.

The landscape of MMO studios appears tumultuous, with many projects facing uncertain futures. Titles like New World, despite initial hope, seem to be sailing into stormy waters. Expectations had it running smoothly through 2026, even as developers released sporadic updates that hinted at potential improvements. However, skepticism about Amazon’s ability to revive or sustain the game persisted.

Historically, the community doubted whether New World would be granted a second chance or return to its former glory. Many anticipated that by 2027, it would be a relic, remembered only in retrospective summaries. Unfortunately, recent developments confirm these fears, as the game continues to struggle without significant breakthroughs, reinforcing the idea that its future remains bleak.

Other notable MMOs and studios, such as Pantheon, Shroud of the Avatar, and Camelot Unchained, are also navigating challenging waters. Big names like Blizzard with World of Warcraft, and Daybreak’s ongoing projects, showcase a spectrum of stability and uncertainty. Meanwhile, ambitious titles like Chronicles of Elyria—compared at times to Star Citizen or Fallout 76—highlight the risks of crowdfunded or highly anticipated games that face hurdles in development.

Star Citizen, a perennial example of ambitious scope, continues its long journey, often overshadowed by comparisons with other games like WildStar or Blade & Soul. Elder Scrolls Online remains a stalwart, but the overall climate suggests that many titles are either in flux or on the brink of transformation. As the industry evolves, it’s clear that only a few will ultimately thrive, while others fade into the background, victims of shifting player expectations and development challenges.

The award for the best MMO housing experience has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, housing was not considered a core feature of the genre, despite its presence since the late 1990s. Iconic titles like EverQuest and World of Warcraft often prioritized other aspects of gameplay, leaving housing as a secondary or optional feature.

However, in recent times, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Nearly all major MMORPGs now incorporate some form of player housing, reflecting its growing importance and popularity. Notably, World of Warcraft introduced its housing system only last fall, marking a significant milestone that aligned perfectly with our award cycle.

Among the contenders, Guild Wars 2 stood out for its innovative and engaging housing updates. Our community particularly appreciated the new additions to Guild Wars 2, highlighting how the game has embraced and expanded the concept of player housing in a meaningful way. This enthusiasm underscores a broader industry trend: housing has become a valued and celebrated aspect of modern MMORPGs.

This year’s MMO landscape was marked by notable setbacks and disappointments across the industry. One of the most significant was the abandonment of New World by Amazon Games, which not only halted progress but also signaled a downturn in their development efforts. Industry layoffs hit several titles hard, with Blue Protocol and Wayfinder both affected, leading to uncertainty about their futures.

Legacy titles continued to face challenges; Star Wars: The Old Republic struggled to maintain its relevance, while the decline of Guild Wars 2 reflected shifting player interests and dwindling support. The death of Marvel Heroes also marked a somber moment for fans of superhero MMOs. Long-awaited projects like EverQuest Next and No Man’s Sky failed to materialize, leaving fans disappointed.

Other notable issues included WildStar and ArcheAge’s decline, Dust 514’s closure, and the sunset of City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, which once thrived but eventually bowed out. Final Fantasy XIV remained a rare bright spot amid the gloom, continuing to grow despite industry turbulence, along with Aion, which persisted but struggled to regain its former glory.

The industry faced broader scandals, notably Blizzard’s mishandling of Diablo Immortal, which cast a shadow over employment practices and corporate reputation. The overall trend showed an overabundance of underperforming MMOs, with titles like World of Warcraft and the launch struggles of New World illustrating the challenges big and small.

Adding to the somber tone, the MMO market appears to be in a downshift, with fewer new titles emerging and existing ones fading away. The death of Marvel Heroes and the decline of beloved classics like City of Heroes underscored a difficult year for MMO enthusiasts. Ultimately, the industry’s struggles culminated in Amazon’s corporate missteps, which resulted in the planned sunset of New World, a game that was finally on the cusp of a comeback but was derailed by internal issues.

This year’s most notorious MMO mistake has been widely considered to be Microsoft’s abrupt termination of Project Blackbird, a project that was part of their ambitious shift towards artificial intelligence. Reports from within Microsoft suggest that the Zenimax MMORPG under development was progressing remarkably well, with many in the industry believing it had great potential. However, Microsoft’s decision to cancel the project reflects a broader pattern of missteps that continue to undermine their gaming ambitions.

Meanwhile, the gaming community remains fixated on the fallout surrounding Amazon’s New World. Despite its official launch, the game faced significant backlash and disappointment from players and critics alike. Many still harbor frustrations over what they perceive as missed opportunities and ongoing issues, underscoring how difficult it is for newly launched titles to meet expectations in the current MMO landscape.

Other high-profile controversies this year include Overwatch 2’s failed PvE content rollout, which disappointed fans expecting a richer cooperative experience. Blizzard’s strategic missteps in China, coupled with internal scandals like the Blizzard & WoW mishandling, have further tarnished its reputation. The company also grappled with the fallout from the Diablo Immortal controversy, which saw player backlash over monetization practices.

In the broader industry, other notable failures include the Lord of the Rings Online fiascos managed by Standing Stone Games, and the fallout from the departure of CCP from VR projects and layoffs at EVE Online’s parent company—signaling a waning interest in virtual reality endeavors like EverQuest Next, which was canceled amid the VR obsession.

The drama doesn’t stop there; projects like Star Citizen have been embroiled in long-standing melodramas, while titles such as WildStar and ArcheAge faced issues with endgame content and problematic launches, illustrating developer hubris in many instances. Subscription models for Elder Scrolls Online and WildStar also reflect shifting industry strategies, highlighting the ongoing struggle to find sustainable monetization methods in a competitive market.

Overall, this year's MMO landscape has been marred by high-profile failures and strategic miscalculations, emphasizing the volatile nature of the industry and the costly consequences of misjudged decisions.

This year’s MMO landscape was filled with unexpected turns and major developments that caught players off guard. Among the most shocking was the announcement of Guild Wars Reforged, a reveal that no one anticipated, making it the standout surprise of the year. Its sudden launch took the community by storm, highlighting how unpredictable the genre can be when secrets are kept tightly under wraps.

Meanwhile, the gaming industry experienced significant shifts beyond surprises. World of Warcraft fans were excited to see the long-awaited housing feature finally unveiled, promising a new dimension to the game’s gameplay. On the corporate front, Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda signaled a major consolidation in the industry, potentially shaping future experiences for years to come.

In a different vein, some beloved classics are making comebacks. Fallen Earth, once thought lost, is showing signs of revival, much to the delight of its dedicated fanbase. Similarly, the revival of City of Heroes has stirred hope among fans eager for more superhero MMORPG action. The industry also saw notable buyouts, with Trion and CCP being acquired, reflecting ongoing consolidation and strategic re-alignments among major players.

Not all news was positive, however. Tera’s sunset marked the end of an era for the popular MMORPG, coinciding with Blizzard’s exit from the Chinese market. Additionally, SWTOR’s transition to Broadsword signaled a shift in its publishing approach, aiming to better serve its global community.

Amid these upheavals, the gaming community’s mood was notably volatile. There was widespread frustration over Amazon’s decision regarding New World, which many gamers viewed as a setback for the game’s ambitions and the broader MMORPG scene. Overall, the year proved to be dynamic and unpredictable, with surprises and setbacks shaping the ongoing evolution of the genre.

2025 MMO Highlights

Determining the top PvP MMORPG of 2025 proved to be a challenging task for our team, as we evaluated numerous titles within that year. Among the contenders, Dune Awakening by Funcom stood out for its ambitious attempt to craft a comprehensive PvP sandbox experience, even if the developers hesitated to fully embrace the official name. Despite mixed success, the effort to innovate in the genre was noteworthy.

In the community's voting, the results were quite diverse. Guild Wars 2 and Warhammer: Return of Reckoning emerged as front-runners, reflecting their strong histories in the PvP scene. Return of Reckoning continues to sustain the Warhammer realm’s RvR battles, while Guild Wars 2 introduced a fresh PvP mode in 2025, revitalizing its competitive landscape.

Other notable mentions included Albion Online, which maintained its presence, though it didn’t make a significant leap that year. Titles like Eve Online and Black Desert also garnered attention, but they didn’t dominate the PvP spotlight as much. Meanwhile, Darkfall remained a niche choice, with Star Trek Online and Runes of Magic not making notable contributions to the PvP scene in 2025.

Ultimately, despite the variety of options and opinions, Dune Awakening’s bold approach earned recognition for pushing the boundaries of MMO PvP, regardless of its eventual reception.

Choosing the definitive "classic" MMORPG can be quite subjective, often sparking lively debates among players. However, in 2025, we made a special exception to highlight a standout title: Lord of the Rings Online. This decision was driven by SSG’s impressive effort to migrate all servers to a new 64-bit infrastructure, ensuring a smoother gameplay experience for the community.

Additionally, the game continued to thrive with its consistent annual expansion, demonstrating ongoing commitment and growth. Our community responded enthusiastically to this recognition, with votes that exceeded our expectations, underscoring the game's enduring appeal and significance in the MMORPG landscape.

While other titles like City of Heroes Homecoming and Final Fantasy XI also remain beloved classics, this year’s focus on LOTRO reflects both its historical importance and its current vitality.

This year’s award for the top MMO rogue server was fiercely contested, with several notable contenders vying for the title. Marvel Heroes Project Tahiti, also known as EQOA Sandstorm, emerged as a favorite, capturing the top spot due to the community’s enthusiasm and ongoing development efforts. SWG Legends, another strong participant, was recognized for its dedicated fanbase and nostalgic appeal, sharing the spotlight alongside Tahiti in a three-way tie that also included City of Heroes Homecoming and Warhammer: Return of Reckoning.

While our initial expectations for Project Tahiti may have been cautious given its early development stage, the enthusiasm surrounding its revival of Marvel Heroes propelled it to the forefront of our rankings. The EQOA Sandstorm community demonstrated remarkable dedication once again, dominating the polling process. Meanwhile, City of Heroes Homecoming’s presence on the list sparked some debate, as it is not technically classified as a rogue server, but we chose to include it for completeness.

It’s important to clarify that our coverage excludes rogue servers for widely played live games like Ultima Online and World of Warcraft. This means that some popular servers in the community are not represented in these awards, focusing instead on projects that are more independent or niche in nature.

Over the years, the landscape of new MMO classes has expanded significantly, and this year’s awards reflect that growth. Initially, there were only a handful of fresh classes, but now the field has grown to include 36 innovative archetypes across various MMORPGs, with potential for even more options emerging.

Among these, our top pick is Guild Wars 2’s Antiquary, affectionately dubbed the Ratmancer. This class channels an adventurous spirit reminiscent of Indiana Jones, complete with the ability to summon quirky Skritt companions. Its unique blend of exploration and summoning skills made it a standout choice.

Other notable contenders include Final Fantasy XIV’s Viper, known for its swift and deadly combat style, and the Pictomancer, which brings artistic magic into battle. Elder Scrolls Online’s Arcanist also made the list, offering versatile spellcasting options, while Guild Wars 2’s Mechanist impressed with its innovative mechanical constructs.

Black Desert’s Corsair, blending swashbuckling flair with combat prowess, and the Reaper and Sage subclasses in Final Fantasy XIV, which introduce dark and supportive roles respectively, round out the notable mentions.

Ultimately, the community’s favorite was the Antiquary, with many praising its inventive design and fun mechanics—comments from players echoed the sentiment that nothing quite beats the charm of the Ratmancer’s adventurous spirit.

In a surprising turn for the first time since 2015, the award for Best MMO Crafting of the Year has been awarded to a game other than Final Fantasy XIV. This year, both our editorial team and our readers have shown a preference for BitCraft, an innovative sandbox MMORPG that entered early access last year and emphasizes crafting as a central gameplay element.

Historically, titles like Final Fantasy XIV, Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest II, and Elder Scrolls Online have dominated the crafting category, often securing the top spot. Other notable mentions include Landmark and Fallen Earth, with some years even listing no clear winner or noting games like Runes of Magic.

This shift highlights a changing landscape in MMO crafting, where players are increasingly drawn to games that prioritize and reinvent the crafting experience. It’s an exciting development that signals new trends and preferences within the MMO community as we look ahead to 2025.

Since its inception, certain MMORPGs have left an indelible mark on the gaming landscape, earning recognition for their lasting influence. In 2021, we introduced the Lifetime Achievement Award to celebrate titles that have significantly shaped the genre, even if they haven't received mainstream accolades.

Among the honorees are classics like EverQuest and Guild Wars, which set foundational standards for online role-playing. Final Fantasy XIV has also been recognized for its exceptional community and ongoing content updates, revitalizing its presence in the genre.

More recently, EVE Online has been acknowledged for its complex economics and player-driven universe, inspiring countless other sci-fi MMO projects.

This year, the spotlight turns to Star Wars: The Old Republic, celebrated for pioneering the story-driven MMO experience. Its rich narrative and evolving gameplay have kept it relevant, especially as it continues development under a new independent publisher, demonstrating resilience and innovation within the genre.

Although some distinctions were awarded in previous years, we have not presented certain accolades this season; however, they may be reinstated in the future. For now, here is a retrospective overview:

The title of 'MMO Event of the Year' has seen recurring recognition across multiple years, including 2021 through 2025. Notable winners encompass 'Eve’s World War Bee 2,' 'AQ3D Korn and Alice in Chains Concerts,' and 'Elder Scrolls Online’s Cat Campaign.' Additionally, 'Elite Dangerous’ Enigma Expedition' and the holiday events in 'Lord of the Rings Online' and 'The Secret World' have also been celebrated.

In the realm of music, 'Final Fantasy XIV' consistently claimed the 'MMO Music of the Year' award across several years, showcasing its enduring soundtrack appeal.

Regarding character customization, 'Black Desert' has been the standout choice for the award from 2021 through 2025, highlighting its reputation for detailed avatar personalization.

Lastly, a collection of Larry’s graphics has been preserved for posterity, including a humorous inclusion of a fart-themed image, ensuring all memorable visuals are documented.

As we conclude our coverage for the year 2025, we want to make sure you didn't miss any of our special holiday features.

Below, you'll find a comprehensive roundup of all our highlights, including the coveted Golden Yachtie Awards, our quirky story series, detailed end-of-year columns, monthly news summaries, insightful staff roundtables, as well as our top ten lists, favorite streams, and standout screenshots.

Be sure to explore our key story compilations such as the biggest news moments, biggest surprises, the healthiest MMOs, top updates, and the most uncertain futures ahead.

Don't miss our predictions for 2026, the latest crowdfunding breakthroughs, and a look at the MMOs we're keeping an eye on next year.

Finally, check out our list of the best-value MMOs to help you make the most of your gaming budget in the coming year.

Explore the most bizarre and extraordinary tales from the 2025 Weirdest Stories Series, where reality often surpasses imagination.

From unexpected encounters to strange phenomena, each episode uncovers the peculiar events that leave viewers questioning the ordinary.

Discover stories that blend mystery, humor, and the uncanny, revealing how weirdness can emerge in everyday life.

Join us as we delve into the bizarre, sharing firsthand accounts and documented incidents that challenge our understanding of reality.

Whether it's inexplicable sightings or bizarre coincidences, the 2025 Weirdest Stories Series showcases the universe’s most eccentric moments.

Looking back at the highlights from 2025, here's a curated list of the most notable moments and trends across the MMO landscape.

From groundbreaking game releases to innovative updates, this roundup captures the year's biggest developments.

Explore our comprehensive recap to see how the industry evolved and what players embraced the most.

Stay tuned for insights into upcoming projects and future directions inspired by this year's successes.

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