MMORPG Resurrection
MMORPGs are born, they live, and die. That’s the natural order of things. But every once in a while we witness a MMO miracle. A game that was previous shut down rises from the dead and opens its doors anew. The reasons behind a MMORPG Resurrection are varied, but it often occurs with a change in publishers. Let’s take a look at some recent cases and try to predict what games will make a comeback next.
1. Dungeon Fighter Online
Developer: Neople Original Publisher: Nexon Current Publisher: Neople
This 2D beat-em-up style MMORPG has enjoyed tremendous success in its native Korea and in China since its initial release in 2005. Nexon brought the game over to North America back in 2010, but for some reason the game never caught on in the West. This despite the fact that Nexon’s other 2D MMORPG, MapleStory, did manage to find a foothold here. Nexon shut down the American service for Dungeon Fighter Online on june 13, 2013, but the developer relaunched a Global server which entered open beta on March 24, 2015. Despite its age and 2D graphics, the relaunch of DFO was one of the most anticipated releases of the year thus far.
Developer: Softstar Original Publisher: Aeria Games Current Publisher: Suba Games
Dream of Mirror Online, or DOMO for short, is an anime style MMORPG based on Chinese mythology. The game has a few social aspects, but is otherwise a typical 3D fantasy MMORPG. It was originally brought over to the West by Aeria Games in 2007, but was closed down in 2012. Suba Games decided to pick up the license and used Kick Starter and Steam Greenlight to help garner feedback and support for the title. Their efforts were successful, the campaign raised over $10,000 and DOMO entered open beta on March 20, 2015.
3. Lucent Heart
Developer: Playcoo Original Publisher: Beanfun US Current Publisher: Suba Games
The social/dating MMORPG Lucent Heart was available in the US through Gamania’s US gaming portal BeanFun! The Taiwanese company tried to bring several of its games to the West, but eventually gave up on the European and American markets and shuttered its portal in 2012. Suba Games, a prolific publisher of previously closed MMORPGs, picked up the license and released the game on January 10, 2014. Besides a matchmaking system to help gamers find their perfect MMORPG soul mate, Lucent Heart offers a traditional MMORPG experience with crafting, a pet system, and dungeons to explore.
Developer: GalaxyGate Original Publisher: ijji Current Publisher: GamesCampus
Karos Returns is the third name that this hardcore, PvP centric fantasy MMORPG has had. It has also gone under the name Rosh Online and Karos Online and has changed publishers with each name change. It was first available in the West through ijji, a now defunct portal, then through Ignite Games which also shut down. GamesCampus relaunched the game on April 3, 2015 and will hopefully do a better job running the game than its previous stewards. Unlike most MMORPGs, Karos Returns emphasises large scale PvP including castle sieges between guilds. Another interesting aspect of Karos Returns is the fact that players can’t simply walk through one another. Its possible to physically block your opponents in this open world PvP MMORPG.
5. Red Stone Online
Developer: L&L Logic Original Publisher: OGPlanet Current Publisher: L&L Logic via Steam
The oldest MMORPG on this list, Red Stone was first released in 2003 in its home market of South Korea. The game offers a classic 2D fantasy MMORPG experience with an isometric camera view. Red Stone made it to America in 2007, but didn’t last long. It was eventually re-released in 2010 by OGPlanet, but the new publisher did not renew the license. A Global version is now available through Steam which may prove the best tool yet for foreign developers looking to self publish their free to play MMOs and MMORPG for the American and European markets. While small, I’m sure there is still an audience out there for a game like Red Stone which has 21+ classes and over a decade of content updates.
There you have it! A few examples of MMORPGs coming back to life. Some of the titles on this list make sense. Dungeon Fighter Online, for example, is one of the most successful games in the world so a re-launch in America comes as no surprise. But many others left me scratching my head. If some of these games can see the light of day once again, then anything is possible. If you know of any other relaunches or are waiting for one of your favorite games to re-release, post the name below. My personal long shot? Star Wars Galaxies. Licensing issues may make it impossible, but I’ll keep on praying for a MMORPG Miracle.
Lifelong gamer always looking for the next virtual adventure. I'm still waiting for the next big MMORPG. Until then, you can find me hopping between multiple games.
