Video Game Genres: What are Massive Multiplayer Games?

Are you one of the millions of people who play World of Warcraft, the massive multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) where magic and adventure unfold in the stunning regions of Azeroth? Or maybe you spend your time with the guilds and ancient gods in Gielinor, the setting of RuneScape, another popular MMORPG. No matter what theme or setting you enjoy, MMORPGs deliver a video game experience like no other.

Similar to other popular video game genres, an MMORPG is a role playing game, so you still assume a character, acquire tools, build skills, and make choices to push the story forward. But many, many more players join you—will they be friends or foes?—in the virtual world. Thousands of players, even hundreds of thousands, can be connected to a popular game's servers at the same time. That's the “massive multiplayer online” part of the name.

In this article, we'll dig into the popularity of MMORPGs—why people play them and why they're so much fun. For readers looking for a new video game to play, we'll give details about some of today's most popular titles. And we'll give some tips for outfitting yourself with the right gaming laptop, gaming desktops, or accessories for gaming.

Introduction to Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games

Massive multiplayer online role playing games, or MMORPGs, are among the most popular titles in the video game industry. How popular? Well, websites that monitor game participation show that more than 150 million people around the world have signed up to play games like World of Warcraft, with more than a million of them playing almost daily.

Think about it: Television shows get huge viewership numbers, too, but TV watching is a passive thing. The millions of adults and young people logged into MMORPGs each week are all actively participating, pushing their characters to new adventures alongside others doing the same.

MMORPGs combine traditional video game role playing—where you conceive, develop and equip your avatar to navigate a virtual world—with the unpredictability of a massive, multiplayer environment. It's this added dimension of unexpected interactions and challenges that makes MMORPGs so different than other game genres.

For example, in Lost Ark, you can travel to Rimeria, the island of the Toz people, where you'll work with others to discern what's real and what's an illusion. Or you can seek adventure in Final Fantasy XIV, a captivating new MMORPG entry in the series that tasks you with restoring balance with evil forces as a Warrior of Light.

What Are Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs)?

MMORPGs are video games where lots of players from around the world play, interact, and navigate through the virtual game environment at the same time. Smaller or newer games from independent producers might have hundreds of simultaneous players, while the most popular games from big manufacturers like Electronic Arts or Activision Blizzard can have hundreds of thousands of concurrent players on separate servers (you may even be able to choose which one you log into, so you're always among friends).

And until you start playing, you won't always know which characters are friends or foes, which makes every moment playing an MMORPG totally unique. But you're not fighting alone—or at least, you don't have to be. Many games feature guilds or tribes in which groups of players form alliances. You can collaborate, talk together over live audio feeds, and plan group strategies.

Within the MMORPG category, there are several game sub-genres:

• What are action MMORPGs? Action MMORPGs, like Guild Wars and Blade and Soul, are all about combat. These action games team you up with others to engage in combat-style missions. Role playing elements dominate, with taking on various positions, but there's nearly always some type of battle.
• What are FPS MMORPGs? These games, including Destiny 1 and 2, combine elements of first-person shooting games with a persistent world and social dynamic. Some are team-based; others are not. The Division 2 and Warframe are similar, but with a third-person view.
• What are turn‑based MMORPGs? Turn-based MMORPGs require players to wait for their turn before they come into combat. Many are fully animated, graphical games that involve strategy with a multi-player format. Examples include Dofus and Naruto Online. A related category, tactical MMORPGs, include games like Stash.
• What are monster-taming MMORPGs? It's no surprise that monsters dominate monster-taming MMORPGs. Examples include the Pals in Palworld and the capturing and training of creators in Wakfu.
• What are MUD MMORPGs? These games—be aware that they're text-based; you type commands into a client terminal—bring you to the multi-user dungeons (MUDs) of various worlds and challenge you to achieve goals and conquer creatures. Armageddon is an early MUD MMORPG. The category also includes BatMUD and Aardwolf.
• What are roguelike MMORPGs? Roguelike MMORPGs are mythic experiences often requiring endless mazes to traverse with various challenges and powerful bosses. Slay the Spire and Hades are two examples.

How Are MMORPGs Different from Regular Role Playing Games and Other Genres?

MMORPGs are a subset of MMOs—that is, massive multiplayer online games of any kind, not just role playing ones. And what distinguishes MMOs from other types of games? Generally speaking (there are exceptions), MMOs differ from other video games in these important ways:

• MMOs have large, sometimes huge player bases. When you log in, thousands or even millions of others like you around the world could be playing at the same time. [Hugely Popular games typically split their audience across different servers to keep action running efficiently for everyone.]
• MMOs typically feature persistent, open worlds. Players can move anywhere in the virtual environment rather than pursue a single, defined destination, and the game continues even when you're not playing, so you might return to find a new scenario playing out.

Do I Need a Specific Laptop or Accessories to Play MMORPGs?

Massive multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs) get more vivid and intense with each new release. You'll need fast internet speed, so make sure you've go the latest WiFi (or a direct Ethernet port). And it takes a top-quality desktop PC or portable laptop to compete—like the models you'll find in our Lenovo Legion, Legion PRO and Lenovo LOQ line-ups.

But what does your gaming rig need “under the hood?” Before we detail the specifications needed for MMORPGs, here's some general advice that applies regardless of the specific game you're playing:

• Processor: For the best overall performance, choose a mid- to high-range AMD or Intel processor. Both companies—the “Big Two” for CPUs—use similar nomenclatures: mid-range CPUs often carry names with a “5” (like AMD Ryzen™ 5 or Intel® Core™ i5) while higher-end ones carry numbers like “7” or even “9.”
• Storage: Any storage drive can store games, but most manufacturers recommend speedy solid state drives (SSDs, versus traditional HDDs), which load games faster so you can dive into the action quickly. For volume, a 512GB drive is usually plenty, but 1TB gives you more space for saved games.
• RAM: If you can, choose a laptop or desktop with at least 16GB of RAM. Some game-makers say 8 GB is sufficient, but if you multitask on other chores while gaming, extra memory helps keep game graphics moving while still supporting your other programs.
• Display: Precision is key in some MMORPGs, especially where precise aiming is required. So your laptop display (or monitor, if you use a desktop) needs to keep up. Look for models with high refresh rates, which most experts consider to be 120 Hz or higher.
• GPU: Integrated graphics that are built into the processor support lots of popular games and can help keep down the cost of a new gaming rig. However, advanced gamers may prefer dedicated graphics cards or GPUs, which are specifically designed for high-speed visuals and often come with their own memory, freeing up your RAM for other tasks.

Of course, if you like to play a specific MMORPG, the best approach to ensuring your system supports the game will be to check the game website. Look for the recommended specs, not just the minimum ones (which provide only “acceptable” performance). Here are examples from two of today's most popular MMORPGs:

*Recommended requirements will change over time. Always check the game maker's website.

Don't overlook gaming accessories, either. Many gamers eventually get some add-ons like gaming mice with special action buttons and gaming keyboards with dedicated hot keys. Some gamers even get dedicated gaming headsets that make game sounds more immersive and can help you hear your teammates better.

Massive Multiplayer Online Games in 2025: What's Popular?

So far, we've defined MMORPGs, explained what distinguishes them from other game genres, and given you some advice for finding the right laptop or desktop to play games in the category. But we're not telling the real story of MMORPGs unless we dig into the unique virtual worlds and compelling creatures and characters you'll find there.

Here are some of today's most popular massive multiplayer online role playing games, which each draw-in thousands—even millions—of people from around the globe to play them. We'll also give some details about what you'll find when you enter the gates for the first time.

World of Warcraft

From its initial launch in 2004 through its most recent releases, Blizzard Entertainment has regularly innovated to keep World of Warcraft one of the top MMORPGs on the market. Noted for its rich worldbuilding, sophisticated lore, and narrative variety (from raids to dungeons), regular players of WoW say there's always a new skill to learn or tool to obtain. The War Within, the most recent expansion pack as this is being written, is set in Khaz Algar, focusing on the Harbinger of the Void known as Xal'atath

Final Fantasy XIV

The original versions of Final Fantasy launched in 2013 by Square Enix and the game remains one of the top-played titles today. Players gain experience points to build skills and obtain stronger equipment (a type of “leveling up” that's been a core component of many MMORPGs since the beginning). In Final Fantasy XIV, the latest release at time or writing, you can join in what are called “full active time events” where groups meet to tackle tasks. Slaying monsters and completing quests is the rule, and some dungeons require multiple players to form a party before entering.

The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is another longtime (it launched in 2014) and still popular MMORPG, with a big, strong fanbase. Players traverse the continent of Tamriel in a non-linear game format that lets you pick from a mix of different quests or random events. Build your character by choosing blacksmithing, alchemy, or any of several other valuable crafts and move through the game world interactively, solving puzzles and challenges as you go.

Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2, from ArenaNet, steps off land for adventure on the high seas and has been recognized for fast-paced action and deep character customization options. This latest release (the series started in 2012) uses a dynamic event system instead of the traditional questing model, allowing you to enter the fantasy world of Tyria at various points with different skills as you seek to defeat the Great Destroyer.

RuneScape

RuneScape is a longtime favorite adventure-based MMORPG, dating back to 2001. It's a fantasy game from Jagex that takes you to Gielinor, a medieval realm with several kingdoms and regions where you'll use a combination of magic spells to accomplish your tasks. RuneScape is more open world than linear, with storylines to let each player pursue personal goals and objectives.

Lord of the Rings Online

Anyone who's read the books or watched the movies knows the intensity of Tolkien's world of Middle-earth, where humans, hobbits, elves, and dwarves live together. Playing Lord of the Rings Online means taking on one of these roles and creating your own adventure, whether it's a long trek through Rohan or exploring deep into Moria—possibly facing hunters along the same. First released in 2007, its from Standing Stone Games.

Trove

Trove, another action-focused MMORPG, has been compared to Minecraft. You'll spend much of your time building a base, weapons, and other items to navigate the virtual game world, where you'll loot dungeons for supplies and take on various challenges. Trove, from Trion Worlds, debuted in 2012, and boasts a complex plot where you're on the Sun Goddess's side against Moon Goddess and her Shadow Army.

Lost Ark

Another action-based MMO, Lost Ark casts players on a journey through a vibrant world to seek treasures and explore new lands. The game, launched in 2018 by Smilegate RPG, is an odyssey to Rimeria, where the Yoz people live. You'll start as one of 26 pre-established characters, then navigate a variety of combat encounters to build skills, move up in your class (or to a new one), and become a bigger part of the game.

Conclusion

With MMORPGs, you get to take on new worlds and develop your character while virtually meeting and building relationships with other players. It's this social aspect that sets MMORPGs apart—you can engage with anyone around the world who likes the same games you do.

And Lenovo aims to make the online world of MMORPGs easy to navigate. With fast, high-performance gaming laptops, gaming desktops, and gaming gear, it's easy to push your virtual foot in the door and start having fun.