Most Played MMOs in 2024 by Player Count
Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games have captivated millions of players around the globe, offering expansive worlds, deep lore, and engaging social interactions. In 2024, the MMO genre continues to thrive with a diverse array of games attracting vast player bases. This article explores the top 15 most played MMOs by player count, showcasing the games that are leading the charge in this vibrant gaming sector.
Top 15 Most Played MMOs In 2024 Are:
15. New World
New World, initially a PC-exclusive, is now transitioning to console, a move that coincides with its worst month historically. The game’s player base has been steadily declining, plummeting from an average of 19,000 concurrent players on Steam six months ago to just 4,800. This drop can be attributed to a significant content drought for experienced players, as the developers focus on the console version. Additionally, advertising the game as a multiplayer action RPG rather than an MMO has unsettled long-time fans.
Despite these challenges, New World remains one of the most fairly monetized MMOs, avoiding pay-to-win mechanics. The game is buy-to-play with an optional battle pass. It excels in its massive, seamless open world, where exploration, questing, and gathering are particularly enjoyable. The crafting progression is among the best in any MMO, allowing players to level up by gathering resources from every tree, bush, or rock.
However, New World has always struggled with group content accessibility. While it features challenging dungeons and a mutation system akin to WoW’s Mythic Plus, finding groups is difficult due to the dwindling player base. The transition to console, although seemingly suited given the game’s limited abilities at any moment, appears to have cost the game many PC players. The developers are betting on this console launch to revive the player count and bring back the community in the long run.
14. Eve Online
Eve Online, launched in 2003, remains a beloved and actively supported MMO. The game centers around building and upgrading powerful spaceships to join others in controlling the most profitable sectors of space. Eve Online is free to play, with options to pay for faster access to more spaceships and an optional subscription, the priciest among MMOs at $20 per month. Despite being labeled “optional,” fans often deem it essential for a full gaming experience.
The game boasts a fantastic character creator, but players primarily focus on their ships, which they control most of the time. In Eve Online, players form alliances and battle for universe control. PVP is high stakes; when a ship is destroyed, it must be rebuilt from scratch, costing hours, days, or even months of materials. Known as a “spreadsheet simulator,” the game involves meticulous tracking of materials and costs. Embracing this, CCP Games integrated a spreadsheet feature into the game.
Although never the largest MMO, Eve Online has maintained a loyal fan base, keeping it relevant for over two decades. Its unique, high-stakes gameplay and dedicated community continue to secure its place in the MMO world.
13. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR), launched in 2011, is a PC-exclusive MMO originally developed by BioWare and published by EA. Recently, BioWare handed off development to a new team, raising concerns about the game’s future. SWTOR is free to play with an optional subscription that unlocks all game zones permanently, even if you only subscribe for one month.
SWTOR is renowned for its immersive class stories, fully voice-acted and well-written, offering up to three different endings based on player choices. This unique storytelling element is a standout feature. Nowadays, SWTOR is more of a single-player experience, perfect for fans of the Star Wars universe, complete with iconic music, art, stories, and lightsabers.
The game features eight classes, evenly split between Jedi and Sith factions, with significant overlap. This design creates a near mirror-image experience on both sides. Level scaling makes questing easier, so players often jump in for the story rather than the challenge. While SWTOR’s player base has been declining slowly, the recent handover to a new developer has cast uncertainty on its future. Fans and newcomers alike are keeping a close watch on what lies ahead for this beloved Star Wars MMO.
12. Wizard 101
Wizard 101, launched in 2008 on PC and web browsers, remains a popular MMO, currently ranked number 12 in player count. Initially a gateway MMO for many children, it continues to receive regular updates. While listed as free to play, access to the best content requires a subscription, making it more of a “free to try” game. Wizard 101 features unique card-collecting combat, alongside traditional MMO elements like housing and fishing. Despite its humble beginnings, Wizard 101 has maintained its relevance and player base 16 years after its release.
11. Albion Online
Albion Online, launched in 2017 on PC, Mac, iOS, and Android, is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG known for its full-loot PvP mechanics. While the game is free to play, it’s considered 100% pay-to-win. Players can benefit by defeating others and taking their gear. Recovering from PvP losses is manageable, as players typically carry gear worth about 1% of their net worth, easily repurchased via the auction house. The game features an extensive progression tree, rewarding usage with new unlocks. An optional subscription reduces grinding. Since 2018, Albion Online’s player base has steadily grown.
10. WOW Classic
WOW Classic has seen the largest population decline among MMOs since the last update. This drop follows a significant population boom during the launch of the Season of Discovery, where players quickly consumed new content before moving on. Initially launched in March 2017, Blizzard’s World of Warcraft Classic aimed to recapture the essence of the original game, free from controversial updates like raid finding and excessive cash shops. Despite a nostalgic appeal and a faithful adherence to classic MMO mechanics, interest in Wild Classic has waned.
The game experienced an explosive launch in 2019, followed by a steady decline, only to see a resurgence with the Season of Discovery. However, this interest has now diminished, and players have mostly moved on from the Panda experience. The community wonders if WOW Classic will follow the path of Old School RuneScape, carving out a unique path separate from the retail World of Warcraft storyline. For WOW Classic to maintain long-term interest, it may need to offer more than just a nostalgic trip, potentially evolving into a unique MMO experience. Despite its recent decline, the game remains a testament to the enduring appeal of classic MMO gameplay.
9. Runescape 3
RuneScape 3, originally launched as a browser-based fantasy MMORPG in 2001, remains popular over 20 years later. Initially built with Java, it has evolved into a standalone client since 2016. RuneScape offers a unique experience where players level up skills by performing related activities, such as fishing or using magic. Despite its evolution, RuneScape retains much of the old-school MMO feel, featuring slow-paced combat and basic graphics.
The introduction of a WoW-like ability system and a contentious cash shop led to the birth of its more popular sibling, Old School RuneScape. The pay-to-win nature of RuneScape 3’s cash shop was poorly received, driving many players to the classic version, which eschews such monetization. RuneScape 3 was incredibly popular in the mid-2000s but has since lost many players to Old School RuneScape. Despite this, RuneScape 3 remains a testament to the enduring appeal of classic MMO gameplay.
8. Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2, launched in 2012 on PC, has risen to number eight in popularity among MMOs. Developed by ArenaNet and published by NCSoft, Guild Wars 2 stands out with its innovative approach to zone exploration and questing, breaking away from the traditional MMO mold. The game offers a generous free trial, allowing players to reach level 80 without a subscription. However, the best content is found in its expansions, which need to be purchased.
The recent Steam launch overhaul improved the new player experience, granting early access to mounts, a beloved feature of the game. Guild Wars 2’s mounts are unparalleled in the MMO genre. The game also eschews the traditional tank-healer-DPS trinity, offering a unique combat experience. The main story is fully voice-acted, adding depth and emotion to the narrative.
World events, where hundreds of players unite to battle colossal dragons, are a highlight. Despite a few limitations, Guild Wars 2 excels in its strengths, maintaining a stable and slightly growing player base over the last five years. This MMO’s distinctive features make it a must-try for MMO enthusiasts.
7. Elder Scrolls Online
Elder Scrolls Online (ESO), released in 2014 on PC, Mac, Xbox, and PlayStation, recently launched its well-received Gold Road expansion, adding scribing and new rewards. Set in the Elder Scrolls universe about 9950 years before Skyrim, ESO features the classic trinity of tank, healer, and DPS. It offers 12-player raids, 4-player dungeons, and extensive single-player content, catering to both casual and dedicated players with three difficulty tiers for each type of content.
Every quest in ESO is fully voice-acted, enhancing the story-driven experience. The game is buy-to-play with an optional $15 monthly subscription to unlock additional content. ESO’s action combat might take time for players accustomed to tab-targeting MMOs. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, ESO has been offering remarkable rewards and expansions, with another significant expansion set for 2025.
ESO maintains a healthy player population, thanks to its mega servers, which ensure players can easily find others to play with. The game continues to thrive, providing a rich and engaging experience for fans of the Elder Scrolls universe.
6. Lost Ark
Lost Ark, one of the youngest MMOs on this list, has recently seen a sharp decline in its player base. In May, it averaged 55,000 concurrent players, but by June, this number dropped to 19,000, losing over half its player base in one month. Despite this, it holds the sixth slot on the list, indicating it’s still a significant contender.
Launched in the East in 2019 and in the West in 2022, Lost Ark is a free-to-play, top-down MMORPG. It combines elements of Diablo, Final Fantasy, and a Las Vegas casino. The game features a cash shop and a gear progression system typical of Eastern MMOs, making it heavily pay-to-win. However, it’s also one of the few MMOs you can play entirely for free if you have the patience to endure its grind and monetization tactics.
Lost Ark’s gameplay includes multiple currencies and a gear progression system involving layers of gambling. Despite its top-down view, it offers popular dungeons and raids. The ultimate goal is to sail the world, collect various items, and increase your character’s power. While its pay-to-win model and bot issues are significant weaknesses, the combat system is highly satisfying, and it offers a wide variety of classes, with more on the way.
Lost Ark experienced a massive surge in interest when it launched in the West in 2022 but has since declined. However, it still ranks above established titles like Guild Wars 2 and Elder Scrolls Online.
5. Black Desert online
Black Desert Online (BDO), released in 2015 and available on PlayStation, Xbox, Windows, iOS, and Android, has moved up one position on the MMO list. Known for its stunning graphics and engaging combat, BDO is an open-world game with minimal instance content. Players spend hours grinding in the open world to gain levels, making it a favorite among those who enjoy continuous, action-packed gameplay.
One of BDO’s unique features is its always-on PVP mode, activated at level 50, allowing for player-versus-player combat at almost any time. This aspect is particularly appealing to PVP enthusiasts. However, BDO has faced criticism in the West due to its former publisher’s heavy-handed monetization, which made the game overly pay-to-win. Fortunately, the developer has since parted ways with this publisher and has undone many unpopular monetization practices, making the game more appealing to new and returning players.
BDO features a wide variety of unique classes and receives regular updates. Recent expansions have added substantial PVE content, catering to players who prefer questing and non-PVP activities. The game’s population has stabilized, indicating a steady player base and a resilient community.
4. Maplestory
MapleStory, available on PC, has proven resilient, climbing to number four on the MMO list despite controversies, including lying about item drop rates. Launched in 2003 in the East and 2005 in the West, MapleStory served as a gateway MMO for many players. It remains relevant nearly two decades later, boasting over 260 million registered users and grossing over $3 billion in lifetime revenue.
This achievement is second only to World of Warcraft in terms of user numbers. The game offers 42 unique classes and runs smoothly even on low-end hardware, ensuring accessibility. With twenty years of content, there’s always something to do. Impressively, this veteran MMO still competes with and surpasses modern staples like RuneScape 3, Black Desert Online, and Guild Wars 2.
3. Old School RuneScape
Old School RuneScape, launched in 2013, has defied the typical MMO trend of declining popularity over time. With minimal system requirements, it’s one of the most accessible MMOs, playable on almost any computer or smartphone. The game’s success is largely due to its player-driven updates, where significant changes are voted on by the community. Old School RuneScape was created following player dissatisfaction with the changes in retail RuneScape, which added WoW-like abilities and a cash shop seen as pay-to-win. This led to the launch of servers based on the 2007 version of the game.
Unlike many MMOs, Old School RuneScape doesn’t follow a linear storyline. Players can choose their own path, whether it’s killing monsters, questing, or leveling up various skills. This sandbox MMO allows for a lot of AFK skilling, making it highly accessible. Despite its clunky combat system and user interface, its slow pace and low requirements have kept it popular. Old School RuneScape’s active player count has surpassed that of retail RuneScape and many other MMOs, reflecting its impressive growth. The game’s enduring popularity has secured its place in the top ranks of MMOs, often holding the third spot and occasionally reaching the second.
2.World Of Warcraft
World of Warcraft (WoW) and perhaps the most surprising upset on this list has slipped to the second spot in MMO rankings, likely due to players taking a break to try the current top MMO. The lead-up to the Dragonflight expansion boosted WoW above Final Fantasy XIV, a position it maintained until Final Fantasy XIV’s latest expansion release. Public opinion of WoW has improved significantly since the poorly received Shadowlands expansion, and with Chris Metzen returning, fans are hopeful for a revival. WoW’s first of three new expansions is set to release later this year, marking a potentially huge year for the game, which has captivated players for nearly 20 years.
WoW is renowned for its massive, seamless world, allowing players to see distant locations and fly there without interruption. This level of scale and immersion is still unmatched by many newer MMOs that rely on smaller zones and frequent load screens. The game’s art style and frequent engine updates have kept it visually appealing and relatively modern despite its age. WoW features the traditional MMO roles of tank, healer, and DPS, with 13 unique classes offering multiple specializations.
WoW offers a wealth of single-player content for leveling, as well as highly regarded dungeons and raids. These group activities are longer and more time-consuming than those in other MMOs, providing a deeper challenge. Historical trends show WoW’s dominance in the early 2000s, with no other game coming close to its popularity from 2004 to 2012. In recent years, WoW typically holds the top spot but is occasionally surpassed by Final Fantasy XIV during expansion launches. While still a titan in the industry, WoW is no longer the unbeatable giant it once was.
1. Final Fantasy 14 FF14
Final Fantasy 14, released in 2010 and available on PlayStation, PC, and Xbox, is currently the world’s most popular MMO. Its success stems from 14 years of content quality improvement and exceptional community treatment by Square Enix. The recent “Dawntrail” expansion boosted the game to the top, introducing two new classes, numerous new zones, and a fresh storyline after concluding the previous 10-year narrative in the “Endwalker” expansion.
Final Fantasy 14 exemplifies how an MMO can thrive by listening to player feedback and avoiding over-monetization. The game focuses heavily on its single-player story, with dungeons and trials woven into the narrative. Memorable cutscenes often occur during intense trials. With 22 different classes and the traditional tank-healer-DPS trinity, the game offers a generous free trial, allowing players to reach level 70 and complete the first two expansions for free.
After that, a purchase and a $13 monthly subscription are required, but this ensures the game remains free of pay-to-win mechanics and loot boxes. As Final Fantasy 14 continues to battle World of Warcraft for the top spot, its future success will be monitored, especially with WoW’s “World Soul Saga” on the horizon.
Conclusion
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