MMOs That Surprisingly Still Require Subscriptions

While some players believe the end of subscription games is just over the horizon, there are a number of titles that have fueled servers for over a decade through monthly payments.

Ultima Online
Launch Date: September 24, 1997
Monthly Cost: 12.99/mo

The spiritual godfather of MMORPG’s, and one of the longest running, I’m routinely surprised that UO still has a monthly subscription. Not that a monthly fee has dissuaded players to abandon it’s worlds, and expansions are still being released—Time of Legends is currently available on the test server. Launched in 1997 UO stands as one of the most distinct MMORPG experiences, with nearly unlimited freedom to play how you want within the confines of its mechanics. Every few months i’ll head back to UO, grind up my skills , and purchase a house before taking another hiatus.

Dark Age of Camelot
Launch Date: October 10, 2001
Monthly Cost: 14.95/mo

I didn’t play DAOC until years after its release so I was shocked when I realized my free trial had run its course. Along with UO, DAOC is nestled in nostalgia, but also endures thanks to fourteen years of continuous development. Frequent updates, tuning, and blog posts exemplify the development team’s love for the gritty fantasy world of DAOC. The superabundance of races and classes has rarely been replicated, and successful 3 way Realm versus Realm combat continues to elude modern developers. Together with UO, DAOC will likely stand as an archetype of MMORPG’s for a long time.

NEXUS TK
Launch Date: 1996 (South Korea)
Monthly Cost: 9.95/mo

Based on Korean mythology, and nearly as old, NEXUS: The Kingdom of the Winds has been in continuous service since its 1996 release. Its 2D tile graphics are still charming almost two decades after release, and while the player base has diminished, NEXUS’ robust political system continues to attract players. NEXUS is Nexon’s first developed and published title, perhaps explaining why the company continues to host the game. You can play NEXUS as a trial up to level 49, and it’s worth trying to experience one of the forerunners of Korean MMO’s, and soak in the manwha atmosphere.

Eve Online
Launch Date: May 06, 2003
Monthly Cost: 14.95/mo

Perhaps not too surprising, Eve Online has required a subscription since 2003, featuring one of the most dedicated player bases in any game. Although this past summer the number of pilots flying through space dropped to it’s lowest point since 2008. But, while the game doesn’t appeal to everyone, it’s ambition to create a space-faring civilization run by players has been largely successful. And I’m always drawn back to Eve Online by engaging stories of lies and deception, players using cunning and ruthlessness to climb the steep political ladders of the game’s universe. If you’ve never used the 30 day free trial I highly suggest experiencing New Eden, at least to see the fantastic views of the cosmos.

The Realm Online
Launch Date: December 01, 1996
Monthly Cost: 6.99/mo

Predating both UO and DAOC, The Realm Online is a second-generation MORPG, existing even before the term “MMORPG.” It failed to compete against newer MMO’s like Ultima Online and EverQuest, but has somehow managed to persist 19 years after launching. Currently published by Norseman Games, The Realm Online was designed following graphical MUD’s, but uses turn-based combat. It was praised for offering a convenient experience to players with poor internet connections (I didn’t even have internet when The Realm Online launched).

Final Fantasy XI
Launch Date: May 16, 2002 (Japan)
Monthly Cost: 11.95/mo

After the success of Final Fantasy XIV I was shocked to learn that FFXI servers are still running. There aren’t even trial codes available at this time, but somebody, somewhere is frolicking through the world of Vana’diel. Square Enix announced that Final Fantasy XI would receive a final scenario spread out in in 3 parts over the course of 2015, before shutting down the Playstation 2 and Xbox 360 servers in 2016. But that doesn’t mean the game is in its twilight year. Square Enix has partnered with Nexon to developer a spinoff mobile game, Final Fantasy Grandmasters—scheduled for release sometime in 2015.

Istaria
Launch Date: December 09, 2003
Monthly Cost: 9.5/mo (limited)

Lesser known than the previously mentioned titles, Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted still has a strong community in a fantasy environment, catering to crafters and adventurers. With over 100 buildings to decorate a landscape, Istaria offers one of the most extensive city-builders featured in an older MMO. At one point in its history the game did suffer from lack of plottable land, but a reclamation project made former player plots once again available. And the extensive crafting system is highly complex, appealing to players who want to fold a sword one-thousands times to create something epic.

Lineage
Launch Date: September 03, 1998
Monthly Cost: N/A

While the North American servers shut down in 2011, Lineage is NCSoft’s most profitable game, being intensely popular in South Korea—North Americans are forced to playing the game on private servers. The isometric-overhead graphics have attracted a stable player base that’s not migrating to another game anytime soon, in light of newer releases like Blade and Soul, Wildstar, and Guild Wars 2. It’s far from dying, and perhaps Lineage captures the same legacy in South Korea that Ultima Online has garnered in North America. Maybe the release of Lineage Eternal will motivate some players to make a transition.

Vendetta Online
Launch Date: November 01, 2004
Monthly Cost: $9.99

Vendetta Online continues to receive bug fixes and new content to refine the decade-old science fiction MMORPG. Oddly enough, the mobile versions of the game (Android and iOS) are free, albeit as a “Lite” edition. It might persist thanks to distinct twitch-based gameplay, demanding reaction time to be skilled. It includes Oculus Rift support, to truly immerse yourself in a 10-year old game. Vendetta Online is available on nearly every platform barring consoles, including the Ouya—making it highly accessible.

World of Warcraft
Launch Date: November 24, 2004
Monthly Cost: $14.99

Blizzard’s monumental title World of Warcraft has had monthly subscribers since 2004. While many games today release as pay-to-play they transition to a free-to-play model a year, or months, later (Wildstar). But WoW has maintained its monthly fee without wavering, and risen to the gold standard of MMORPG's. While it’s easy to cite a dwindling player base, there’s no doubt that a new expansion will see a significant rise in the number of people dedicated to WoW. And with the upcoming Warcraft movie, World of Warcraft is unlikely to abandon a subscription service anytime soon.