How Many People Play MMORPGs?

These stats all derive from data I have been able to collect from site like mmodata.blogspot.co.uk and mmodata.net.

So, in 2009 and again in 2010, WoW hit 12 million subscribers worldwide, and there are currently around 10 million. 

In 2009, the number of Peak Concurrent Users (number of players logged in) went over 900 thousand. Incidentally, the record for PCU is held by the Chinese MMORPG called Fantasy Westward Journey – with over 2.5 million!

Aion hit 4 million global subscribers in 2009, Lineage just over 3 million globally in 2003.

Even if subscribers doesn’t equal players, that’s still a lot of monthly payments going to the developers. Many players like to keep subscribed in case they want to dip in and out of the game, which of course benefits the developers as well. Plus some games used to delete your character if you unsubbed.

If we look at the total MMORPG subscriptions on MMOData.net, we see a rise over time. Only recently, with the popularity of non subscription based games coming in, has it begun to drop.

So how did this genre reach such a large demographic? 

Up Next: Who Plays MMORPGs?

A Short Definition

What to Expect

In this blog, I aim to cover:

1. An overview of some of the developments in MMORPGs over the last 10 years
2. An insight into the Psychology of what makes MMORPGs so popular
3. Aspects of MMORPGs we can use in game design
4. Explore a template for a successful MMORPG

Topics will include:

Definition of an MMORPG
The last 10 years of MMORPG development (summary)
Why are MMORPGs so popular?
MMORPGs in the mobile market
Case Examples

Hopefully at least some of that will sound interesting to you!

Definition

Ok, just to make sure we're all on the same page here.....people often use the term "MMO" to describe an MMORPG when really "MMO" covers a large portion of games including MMORTS and MMOFPS.

This seems a bit basic I know, but I thought it was important to get this straight from the start.

In fact, I found 15 types of MMO (ok, some are a little ridiculous) which shows the variety of games this term covers.

I'm only going to talk about MMORPGs here.

MMORPG: MMO Role Playing Games – WoW

MMOBA: MMO Battle Arena – League of Legends

MMORTS: MMO Real Time Strategy Games – Age of Empires Online

MMOFPS: MMO First Person Shooter Games – Counter Strike, Unreal Tournament

MMOSG(sports): MMO Sports Games – FIFA, Pro-Evolution Soccer

MMOR: MMO Racing Games – Need for Speed

MMORG/MMODG: MMO Rythm/Music Games or MMO Dancing Games – Dance Dance Revolution

MMOMG: MMO Management Games – The Sims Online, Monopoly City Streets

MMOSG(social): MMO Social Games – Second Life, Furcadia

MMOBBG/MMOBBRPG: MMO Bulletin Board Games or MMO Bulletin Board Role Playing Games – Quest For Magic, BladeMaster

MMOPG: MMO Puzzle Games – Three Rings, Puzzle Pirates

MMOCCG: MMO Collectible Card Games – Magic:The Gathering Online

MMOARG alternate reality games – Second Life

MMOTBSG Turn based Strategy Games – Ultracorps, Darkwind:War on Wheels

MMOSiG Simulation Games: Equilibrium/Arbitrage, The Sims Online

Man, that's a lot of letters! :D 

So, I'm sure everyone reading this knows this already, but:

Massively Multiplayer = a very large number of people playing together. Not small groups like Diablo 3. 

Online = a persistent world that continues when not logged in.

Role Playing = the player assumes the role of a character. Some people do this literally in game by continually being “in character”, some just take on the appearance of a character.

The most famous example of an MMORPG is World of Warcraft. Don't worry though, I really won't mention this game a heck of a lot because I believe, great though it is, this game has been discussed thousands of times. Frankly, there's a lot more to MMORPGs than WoW.

I know, how dare I !

Coming Up Next: How Many People Play MMORPGs?

Let's Begin

Introduction

A few designers have expressed an interest in an overview of MMORPGs from the last 10 years as they don't have the time to play these types of games. This blog will provide an overview of the last 10 years in the genre, discuss some basic psychology regarding player types and then look at some more specific points about MMORPG design.

I will focus on the last 10 years as I don't have much experience in anything over that age. I do, however, have a good chunk of experience in younger games as I play them a lot. Remember, these are just my opinions :D