MMORPG's are DEAD. LONG LIVE MMORPG's

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As a long-time game industry veteran and fan of the genre with thousands of hours invested, I have been fascinated with the player behaviors in MMORPG’s.

In the early days of online gaming, MMORPGs dominated the market. Games like World of Warcraft and Everquest introduced players to a new type of gameplay, one that emphasized social interaction, character progression, and cooperative gameplay. However, as the gaming landscape has evolved, the MMORPG genre has struggled to keep up, and today's biggest games no longer call themselves MMOs.

One of the reasons that the MMORPG label has fallen out of favor is the negative connotations that are often associated with the genre. MMORPGs are often seen as grindy, repetitive, and time-consuming, with a heavy emphasis on loot and gear progression. This reputation has turned off many players who might otherwise be interested in the genre.

However, the core gameplay loops that were introduced in MMORPGs a long time ago are still popular today. Players are drawn to the sense of community and shared experience that comes from playing with others, as well as the feeling of accomplishment that comes from leveling up and acquiring new gear.

Destiny and Grand Theft Auto Online are two prime examples of games that have successfully blended traditional MMO mechanics with other genres. By avoiding the MMO label, Bungie and Rockstar have been able to tap into a wider audience while still delivering the deep and engaging gameplay that players crave.

Destiny was released in 2014 and was an instant hit, garnering critical acclaim and quickly amassing a large following of dedicated players. One of the keys to the game's success was its ability to cater to MMORPG players without ever being labeled as an MMORPG.

MMORPGs, or massively multiplayer online role-playing games, have been around for decades and are known for their deep character customization, intricate world-building, and player-to-player interaction. While Destiny certainly shares many of these characteristics, Bungie was careful to avoid the "MMORPG" label when marketing the game.

Instead, they positioned Destiny as a "shared-world shooter," a term that emphasizes the game's fast-paced shooting mechanics while also acknowledging the persistent world and cooperative play that MMORPG players crave. By avoiding the MMORPG label, Bungie was able to appeal to a wider audience, including players who might be intimidated by the perceived complexity of traditional MMORPGs.

In terms of data, the success of Destiny is hard to deny. According to Activision, the game's publisher, Destiny had over 30 million registered players by 2016. In addition, the game's first major expansion, The Taken King, generated over $500 million in revenue in its first week of release.

One of the reasons for this success is the game's focus on player engagement. Destiny is designed to be a game that players can sink hundreds, if not thousands, of hours into. The game's loot system, which rewards players with new weapons and gear for completing missions and defeating enemies, is a major driver of this engagement.

Another key factor is the game's social aspect. While players can certainly enjoy the game solo, much of the game's content is designed to be played with friends. The game's matchmaking system makes it easy for players to team up with others, and the game's clan system allows players to join together in larger groups for even more challenging content.

Grand Theft Auto Online is an open-world multiplayer game developed by Rockstar Games, and is an extension of the popular Grand Theft Auto franchise. While the game shares many characteristics with MMORPGs, including a persistent open world, character customization, and cooperative gameplay, Rockstar has intentionally avoided labeling the game as such.

Instead, the studio positions the game as a "shared open world," emphasizing the game's unique blend of single-player and multiplayer content. This approach has allowed Rockstar to appeal to a wide range of players, including those who might not typically be interested in traditional MMORPGs.

Like Destiny, Grand Theft Auto Online has been wildly successful, with a huge and dedicated player base. The game's microtransaction system, which allows players to purchase in-game currency with real money, has generated millions/billions of dollars in revenue for the studio.

One of the key reasons for Grand Theft Auto Online's success is its ability to cater to different play styles. Whether you want to engage in cooperative heists with friends, compete in high-speed races, or simply explore the game's vast open world, there's something for everyone in the game.

Another reason for the game's success is its constant stream of updates and content releases. Rockstar has continually added new content to the game, including new vehicles, weapons, and missions, keeping players engaged and coming back for more.

Overall, Bungie's success with Destiny and Rockstar’s GTA Online are a testament to the power of smart marketing and game design. By carefully positioning the games as a shared-world shooter or shared open world, rather than an MMORPG, Bungie and Rockstar were able to appeal to a wide range of players while still delivering the deep, engaging experience that MMORPG fans crave. As the franchises continue to grow and evolve, I am excited to see what Bungie and Rockstar have in store for their loyal fanbases and how the genre matures.