List of free massively multiplayer online games
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This is a selected list of notable massively multiplayer online games which are free to play in some form without ever requiring a subscription or other payment. These are commonly MMORPGs or MMOFPSs, but could be of any genre.
Free play
These MMOGs provide client software free of charge and allow users to play the game without requiring payment. The games' expenses are typically funded by sponsors or through donations (which have no effect in the game itself).
Developer(s) | Release date | Platform(s) | Genre | Synopsis | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Allegiance | Microsoft Research | March 16, 2000 | Windows | Space Sim/RTS Hybrid | 3D Space Combat with teamwork and RTS elements | 3D |
Astro Battle | Lava Lord Games | December 31, 2004 | Windows, Linux | Multi-directional shooter | Overhead multi-directional shoot-em-up where players design their own ships | 2D |
Crossfire | n/a | 1992 | Multi-platform, including Windows, OS X, Linux and others. | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Open source cross between NetHack and Gauntlet. | 2D |
Gekkeiju Online | Coolhouse Productions | 2003 | Windows | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Players control an anime like character in a medieval fantasy world. | 3D |
Infantry Online | Harmless Games LLC Sony Online Entertainment |
1999 | Windows | Action | Players take the role of soldiers on an isometric battleground and fight in a variety of gametypes. | 2.5D |
Meridian 59 | Archetype Interactive (original) Near Death Studios (current) |
December 15, 1995 | Windows | Role playing | Play as an adventurer in a medieval sword-and-sorcery world alongside other adventurers | 3D |
Omerta | Omerta Game Limited | September 26, 2003 | Browser-based | MMORPG, Mafia | Text | |
PlaneShift | Atomic Blue | 2003 | Multi-platform, including Windows, OS X, Linux and others. | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | An open source, fantasy MMORPG with enforced roleplaying elements. | 3D |
SubSpace | Burst, Virgin Interactive, fan community | November 30, 1997 | Windows | Action | Players fly, fight and play a variety of games with spaceships. | 2D |
Team Fortress 2 | Valve Corporation | October 9, 2007 | Multi-platform, including Windows, OS X, and Linux | First Person Shooter | Join one of two teams comprising nine character classes, battling online in a variety of typical FPS game modes including capture the flag and king of the hill | 3D |
Terra | Kaon Interactive (original) Terra Outlands (current) |
June 1997 | Windows | Action | Play as a vehicle operator in a 24/7 3D virtual world individual or clan based battle game | 3D |
Underlight | Lyra Studios | March 1998 | Windows | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Play as a dreamer in the city of dreams, in a unique role-playing environment (in-character at all times). The game features live action FPS combat, an advancement system where players write quests for other players, and a unique faction system with fixed houses that are player run. | 3D |
Urban Dead | Kevan Davis | July 3, 2005 | Browser-based | Survival horror | Play as a human or a zombie trying to survive in the undead-infested city of Malton. | Text |
Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM) |
n/a | July 2001 | n/a | Flight simulation | Uses existing flight simulation software with custom plug-ins, players may interact with the network as either pilots or air traffic controllers. | |
Wyvern | Steve Yegge, Cabochon, Inc. | February 4, 2001 | Windows, OS X, Linux | Fantasy MMORPG | Crossfire and NetHack inspired game where players take on the mantle of adventurer and battle monsters in their quest. | 2D |
Xonotic | Team Xonotic | December 23 2010 | Windows, OS X, Linux | MMOFPS | Fast-paced open-source MMOFPS running on a heavily modified version of the Quake engine. | 3D |
Free play with advertising
These MMOGs are free to play. They are funded through advertising, either in-game or through pop-ups.
Developer(s) | Release date | Platform(s) | Genre | Synopsis | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agar.io | Zeach | April 28, 2015 | Browser-based | Thousands of Cells compete for survival. Eat or be eaten. | Web | |
Anarchy Online | Funcom | June 27, 2001 | Windows | MMORPG, Science-fiction | Two factions fight for control of a distant desert planet. | 3D |
Jennifer Government: NationStates | Max Barry | November 13, 2002 | Browser-based | Government simulation game | Players build nations and run them according to their political ideals. | Web |
Free play with micro-transactions
These MMOGs are free to play, but players may optionally purchase in-game items or currency.
Developer(s) | Release date | Platform(s) | Genre | Payment | Synopsis | Type | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9Dragons | Indy21 | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with advertisements and items that can be purchased from a shop | Player characters learn martial arts to survive in the harsh lands of China. | Unknown | Active |
Age of Empires Online | Microsoft | August 16, 2011 | Windows | MMORTS | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop or earned through gameplay. | MMORTS based on the Age of Empires series with quests, NPCs, PvE and PvP. | 3D | Closed July 1, 2014 |
Age of Wulin | Suzhou Snail Electronic Co., Ltd. | April 10, 2013 | Windows | MMORPG | Chinese fantasy martials arts PvP game with persistent characters. | 3D | Active | |
Allods Online | Astrum Nival | February 16, 2010 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Traditional 3D fantasy MMORPG with quests, NPCs, dungeons, guilds, PvE and PvP. | 3D | Active |
Angels Online | UserJoy Technology | 2006 | Windows, PlayStation 3 | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players control an anime like character in a medieval fantasy world. | 2D | Active |
ArchLord | NHN Corporation | October 3, 2006 | Windows | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free play with in-game currency that can be purchased from a shop | 3D | Closed Jan. 1, 2014 | |
Atlantica Online | NDOORS Interactive | October 30, 2008 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Turn-based battles. Guild-controlled customizable cites. Certain features require guild membership. | 3D | Active |
Audition Online | T3 Entertainment | 2005 | Windows | Casual game | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Dance competition. Game style is similar to Stepmania, Dance Dance Revolution and Bust A Groove. | 3D | Active |
Battlefield Play4Free | EA Digital Illusions CE, Easy Studios | April 4, 2011 | Windows | FPS | Game is supported by micro-transactions where players can purchase equipment and weapon upgrades. | Free-to-play remake of Battlefield 2 with updated graphics and gameplay. | 3D | Closed July 14, 2015 |
Cabal Online | ESTSoft | 2006 | Windows | Sci-fi MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | MMORPG with a combo battle system. | 3D | Active |
Castle of Heroes | SNAIL Game | 2009 | Browser-based | MMORTS | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Strategy MMORPG taking place in a medieval fantasy universe. | Web | Active |
Combat Arms | Nexon | 2008 | Windows | First-Person Shooter | Free to play with in-game currencies for purchasing additional weapons | 3D | Active | |
DarkSpace | Palestar | December 21, 2001 | Windows | Sci-fi MMORPG | Free to play with purchasable credits to use in game enhancements and special items | Sci-fi tactical space combat with strategy in a team orientated game. Players gain rank and prestige, which expands the ships they can command and the strategic decisions they make. | 3D | Active |
Dead Frontier | Neil Yates | 2008 | Browser-based | Horror | Free to play with purchasable credits to use in game enhancements and special items | Third-person shooters where players create and build up their character through PvP, missions and trade. | 3D, 2D and Web | Active |
DECO Online | Rocksoft | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Combo based combat. Players can earn fame, enhance items and change job. | 3D | Closed April 5, 2011 |
Domain of Heroes | Tandem Games | 2008 | Browser-based | Fantasy, Text Based, MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players create and build up their character through PvP, PvE, quests and trade. | Web | Closed March 2015 |
Dragon Nest | Nexon, Shanda and Eyedentity Games | July 26, 2011 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Anime-styled fantasy MMORPG | 3D | Active |
Dragon Oath | ChangYou | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players follow one of the nine ancient forms of Kung Fu to gain skills and advance through a fantasy world based on Chinese mythology. | 3D | Active |
Dragonica | Gravity Interactive, Inc. | June 10, 2009 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Anime/manga styled side-scrolling hack & slash. | 3D | |
Drift City | NPLUTO | September 5, 2007 | Windows | Racing | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players progress through a linear mission system with multiplayer races. | 3D | |
Dungeon Fighter Online | Nexon | June 9, 2010 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop. | Formerly known as "Dungeon & Fighter" and "Arad Senki." | 2D | |
Dungeons & Dragons Online | Turbine, Inc. | February 28, 2006 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items and privileges that can be purchased from a shop | MMORPG based on Dungeons & Dragons. | 3D | Active |
EGO | Punch Entertainment, Inc. | September 2008 | Browser-based & mobile phones | Online Community, Casual Game, Virtual World | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 2D | ||
Empire & State | Novel, Inc. | November 2011 | Browser-based | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Political strategy | 2D | |
Entropia Universe | MindArk | January 30, 2003 | Windows | MMORPG, MMOFPS, Science-fiction | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Massive virtual universe with a in-game currency linked to the USD. | 3D | |
Eternal Lands | Open Source license | February 2003 | Windows, OS X, Linux | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Medieval fantasy genre MMOG with combat and trading. | 3D | |
Exteel | NCsoft | December 2007 | Windows | Third-person shooter | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Customize and control giant mech. PvP and PvE. | 3D | Closed Sept. 1, 2010 |
Fiesta Online | Outspark Games | November 7, 2007 | Windows | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | MMORPG with player classes, levels and housing. | 3D | |
Flyff | Aeonsoft | December 2005 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy RPG with emphasis on the community. | 3D | |
Global Agenda | Hi-Rez Studios | February 1, 2010 | Windows | Third-person Shooter | Free to play with items that can be purchased from the cash shop and one time buy option | Sci-fi shooter mmo with rpg based character advancement and team oriented combat. | 3D | |
Goodgame Empire | Goodgame Studios | August 14, 2011 | Browser based (Flash) | Middle Ages MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Building a castle, create a powerful army and fight player versus player battles on a dynamic world map. | 3D | |
Granado Espada | imc GAMES | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Control up to 3 characters at the same time. | 3D | |
Guns and Robots | Masthead Studios | 2013 | Windows | Third-person shooter | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Wide variety of customizable parts, build robots, fight in different arenas. | 3D | |
GunZ: The Duel | MAIET Entertainment | 2003 | Windows | Third-person shooter | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Player characters fight on different levels and kill each other to level up. | 3D | |
Hattrick | Extralives | August 30, 1997 | Browser-based | Sports game | Free to play with privileges that can be purchased from a shop | Players manage a simulated soccer team to compete with others. | Web | |
Illyriad | Illyriad Games Ltd | 2011 | Browser-based | Fantasy Real-time strategy | Free to play with in-game currency and privileges that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy MMORTS with city and empire building. | Web | |
Jade Dynasty (video game) | Perfect World Entertainment | May 21, 2009 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Martial arts style game with a good vs evil theme. | 3D | |
Kal Online | Inix Soft | 2004 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy MMORPG | 3D | |
La Tale | Actoz Soft | September 18, 2009 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players take the role of adventurers in a mythological fantasy world. | 2D | Active |
Lunia: Record of Lunia War | allm | February 18, 2008 | Windows | Action MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Action RPG with emphasis on combat, storytelling and PvP. | 3D | |
Mabinogi | Nexon | June 2004 | Windows | Fantasy | Free to play with items and privileges that can be purchased from a shop | Based on Irish mythology, with an emphasis on life in fantasy world rather than hack and slash. | 3D | |
MapleStory | Nexon | April 29, 2003 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Action RPG elements, quests, party quests and guild quests. | 2D | Active |
Miniconomy | Trade Games International | January 1, 2001 | Browser-based | MMO Trade Game | Free to play with items and privileges that can be purchased from a shop | Browser-based trading game where players all start equal and have to sell to and buy from, each other to become the richest within a given timeframe | Web | |
MLB Dugout Heroes | OnNet Co. Ltd. | 2009 | Windows | Sports | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Sports MMO that revolves around baseball using MLBPA licensed players. | 3D | |
Myth War Online | IGG | July 7, 2006 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 2D | ||
Nadirim | Twisted Tribe | November 7, 2011 | Browser-based | MMORPG Turn-based | Free play with in-game currency that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy world inspired by the tales of the Arabian Nights. | 2.5 D | |
Need for Speed: World | EA Black Box | July 27, 2010 | Windows | MMORG, Racing | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Online racing game | 3D | Closed July 14, 2015 |
PangYa | Ntreev Soft | 2007 | Windows | Sports game | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Anime style, arcade golf game. | 3D | Active |
Perfect World | Perfect World Entertainment | July 2005 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players can fly game world based on Chinese mythology. | 3D | |
Phoenix Dynasty Online | Object Software | 2007 | Windows | fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | players can learn and practice the Chinese Kungfu to advance their character and rule the dynasty. | 2D | |
Pirates of the Burning Sea | Flying Lab Software | 2008 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items and access to content that can be purchased from an item shop | The game is set in the Caribbean in 1720 and combines tactical ship and swashbuckling combat with a player-driven economy | 3D | |
PoxNora | Octopi, Inc. | August 2006 | Windows, OS X, Linux | Real-time strategy, Fantasy | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | |||
Priston Tale | Triglow Pictures Inc. | May 17, 2007 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy MMORPG | 3D | |
Puzzle Pirates | Three Rings Design | December 8, 2003 | Windows, OS X, Linux | Pirate-themed MMO based on puzzles. | Free to play with items and privileges that can be purchased from a shop | Players perform tasks as pirates by playing a number of puzzle-style mini games. | 2D | |
Ragnarok Online | Gravity Interactive, Inc. | 2003 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players choose from dozens of character classes to level. Endgame activities focus on acquiring better equipment, hunting boss monsters (MvPs), PvP and large weekly guild vs. guild (War of Emperium) to capture castles. | 3D/2D | |
Red Stone (video game) | L&K Logic Korea | 2004 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 16 classes to choose from. Has a class transformation & cp system. | 2D | |
Regnum Online | NGD Studios | May 24, 2007 | Windows, OS X, Linux | Fantasy | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Players join a realm in a fight against 2 other realms. Other than PvP, players can capture forts and castles. | 3D | |
RF Online | Codemasters | 2006 | Windows | Sci-Fi, Fantasy | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Set in a distant planet where magic and technology co-exist, emphasizes a 3-way race vs. race vs. race PVP system | 3D | |
ROSE Online | Gravity Interactive, Inc. | 2005 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 3D | ||
Rumble Fighter | OGplanet | 2007 | Windows | Fantasy Fighting | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 3D | ||
Runes of Magic | Frogster | March 19, 2009 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 3D | Active | |
Samurai Taisen | PST Team | 2013 | Browser based | MMORTS | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Massively-multiplayer online real time strategy game set in Sengoku period. | Web | |
Secret of the Solstice | DNC Entertainment | 2008 | Windows | Fantasy | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Set in the world of Xen, players complete quests and customize characters using branching job trees. | 3D | |
Sentou Gakuen | PST Team | 2012 | Browser based | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Massively-multiplayer online role playing game set in high-school. | Web | |
Sho Online | Lizard Interactive | June 2008 | Windows | MMORPG Chinese Fantasy | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Massive warfare game based on a Chinese mythology in the Yin-Zhou era. | 3D | |
Shot Online | OnNet Co. Ltd. | 2004 | Windows | Sports | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Sports MMO that revolves around golf. | 3D | |
Silkroad Online | Joymax Co., Ltd | 2004 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy MMORPG set in the 7th century AD. | 3D | |
Spiral Knights | Three Rings Design and Sega | 2011 | Windows, OS X, Linux | Action MMORPG | Free to play with purchasable credits to use in game enhancements and special items | Action MMORPG focusing on instant, fast-paced action. | 3D | |
Star Trek Online | Cryptic | 2010 | Windows, OS X | Sci-Fi, MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from the cryptic store | Strategic action space combat, with away team ground missions. | 3D | |
Starport: Galactic Empires | Playtechtonics | 2003 | Windows | Sci-Fi, Action | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Strategic action space combat, trading and colonization game. | 2D | |
Stronghold Kingdoms | Firefly Studios | 2011 | Windows | MMORTS | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Massively-multiplayer online real time strategy game with a Medieval castle building theme. | 2D | |
Tales of Pirates | MOLI | March 24, 2008 | Windows | Piracy | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 3D | ||
Talisman Online | Miracle Castle Limited | 2007 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 3D fantasy MMORPG in an oriental setting. | 3D | |
Terra Militaris | SNAIL Game | 2010 | Browser-based | MMORTS | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Strategy MMORPG taking place in a historical universe. | Web | |
The 4th Coming | Dialsoft | 1999 | Windows | Fantasy | A number of licensees provide the game free to play. Usually one can buy characters starting out at higher levels. | Fantasy MMORPG | 2D | |
The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar | Turbine, Inc. | 2007 | Windows, OS X | MMORPG | Free to play with items and privileges that can be purchased from an item shop | MMORPG in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world Middle-earth, based on The Lord of the Rings. | 3D | |
Travian | Travian Games GmbH | 2004 | Browser-based | Historical strategy | Free to play with in-game currency and privileges that can be purchased from a shop | Players interact in a virtual world set roughly in Classical antiquity at the time of the Roman Empire. | Web | |
Trickster Online | Ntreev Soft | April 2003 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | 3D | Closed January 2014 | |
Twelve Sky | Aeria Games | September 24, 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy MMORPG, medieval-styled | 3D | |
Twinity | ExitReality | 2008 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play, in-game currency can be purchased. | Freeform play / chat. Players can sell their own virtual creations. | 3D | |
Vindictus | Nexon | September 17, 2010 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Fantasy MMORPG, medieval-styled | 3D | |
Voyage Century Online | Snail Game | December 22, 2006 | Windows | Historical nautical | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Set in the 17th century and features accurate historical representations of several coastal cities. | 3D | |
War of Legends | Jagex | January 19, 2010 | Browser-based (Flash) | Fantasy MMORTS | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | MMORTS with a historical Chinese mythological theme. | 2D | |
WonderKing Online | NDOORS Interactive | June 19, 2009 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Action RPG elements, quests, party quests and guild quests. | 2D | |
Wonderland Online | IGG | April 9, 2008 (Globally) | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Points cards can be redeemed in Item Mall. | Players work together to survive after a shipwreck | 2D | |
World of Tanks | Wargaming.net | January 19, 2011 | Windows | Vehicle Combat MMORPG | Free to play. Earn in-game credit with each battle. Credits and Experience Points used to upgrade tanks. | First Person combat using simulated armored vehicles. | 3D | |
Scions of Fate | IGG | 2005 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items that can be purchased from a shop | Based on a Korean comic of the same name. | ||
Zu Online | IGG | December 14, 2007 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Based on a Chinese novel. Cartoonish, cell-shaded graphics. Features flight, pets, guilds, quests, PvP, PvE and daily events. | 3D | Closed |
Optional paid subscriptions
These MMOGs offer optional additional game content through paid subscription, but are otherwise free to play.
Developer(s) | Release date | Platform(s) | Genre | Payment | Synopsis | Type | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Age of Conan: Unchained | Funcom | 2008 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | 3D | Active | |
APB:Reloaded | K2 Network (as Gamersfirst) | 2010 | Windows | Contemporary, crime & law MMORPG | Free to play with optional subscription options for faster game progression and some in-game perks. Clothing, vehicles and weapons available for purchase with secondary in-game currency purchased with real money. | Play as criminal ("Crim") or vigilante ("Enforcer") in the fictional city of San Paro. Team- and mission-based Player versus player | 3D (TPV) | |
Blood Wars | BW Team | 2006 | Browser-based | Post-apocalypse MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | Become a vampire and fight with others in the last city in the world. | Web | |
Club Penguin | Disney and New Horizon Interactive | August 28, 2005 | Browser-based (Flash) | Chat | Free or premium (paid) accounts available, premium accounts allow purchasing items and customization for the avatar and the avatar's living quarters. | Players play mini games to earn coins to spend on things for their character or house | 2D | |
CrimeCraft | Vogster Entertainment | August 25, 2009 | Windows | Post Apocalyptic MMO Third Person Shooter | Free to play with optional monthly subscription options for extra content; special items available for purchase with secondary in-game currency purchased with real money. | Shooter with role-playing elements. | 3D | |
Dofus | Ankama Games | September 2004 | Browser-based (Flash) | MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | 2D | ||
EverQuest | SOE San Diego | 1999 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | 3D | ||
EverQuest II | SOE San Diego | 2004 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | 3D | ||
Face of Mankind | Duplex Systems | December 29, 2009 | Windows | Science Fiction MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | Open PVP Role-playing | 3D | |
Forumwarz | Crotch Zombie Productions | February 2008 | Browser based | Multiplayer browser game, Strategy | Free play | RPG parodying internet culture | Web | |
Free Realms | SOE San Diego | April 28, 2009 | Windows, PlayStation 3 | Fantasy MMO Adventure game | Free to play with optional monthly subscription for extra content; special items available for purchase with secondary in-game currency purchased with real money | Fantasy world designed to be a family friendly environment | 3D | Closed March 3, 2014 |
Furcadia | Dragon's Eye Productions | December 16, 1996 | Windows, Third party Mac support | 2D Isometric Chat and socializing online game. | Free-play available but payment options such as purchasing "Digos". Digos include premium avatars, in-game wings of several types and other customizable features. Players may purchase 'Silver Sponsorships', which provide a number of game-enhancing abilities and features | Community-centric chat and Fantasy Role-Play based Anthropomorphic game with user-created content. | 2D | |
Horseland | Horseland LLC | 1998 | Browser-based | Chat | Free to play with optional subscription to pay for own stables and other privileges. | An online community where players can raise horses and dogs. | Active | |
Knight Online | MGame Corporation | 2004 | Windows | Medieval war | Some servers are free to play | 3D | ||
National Geographic Animal Jam | Smart Bomb Interactive | 2010 | Browser-based | Educational MMORPG, strategy | Free or premium (paid) accounts available, premium accounts can access more animals and adventures, also purchasing more items | Players can become an animal and roam Jamaa, also take adventures | 2D | |
NEO Shifters | Frima Studio | 2007 | Browser-based | Science-fiction strategy | Free-to-play game with optional subscription. | Players choose their robot faction and fight for resources. | 2D | |
OGame | Gameforge Productions | October 15, 2007 | Browser-based | Science-fiction strategy | Advertising-based free-to-play version. Paid subscriptions and premium benefits are also available. | Build and maintain a galactic empire. | Web | |
Pirates of the Caribbean Online | Disney | October 31, 2007 | Windows, Mac OS | Piracy | Can play free, though paying option offers numerous more upgrades and features. | Players create their own pirate, do quests, interact with others, follow a similar storyline from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. | 2D and 3D | |
Planetside 2 | SOE San Diego | November 20, 2012 | Windows | First-person shooter | Futuristic massively multiplayer online first-person shooter | 3D | ||
Puzzle Pirates | Three Rings Design | December 8, 2003 | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | Puzzle video game | Some servers require a monthly subscription to play on, while others are free but require micro-transactions for some items. (Note that even the monthly subscription servers can be paid for via micro-transactions, without direct cash payment.) | Players perform tasks as pirates by playing a number of puzzle-style mini-games. | 2D | |
Rift | Trion Worlds | March, 2011 | Windows | High fantasy MMORPG | Play without a paid subscription up to level 60. Storm Legion souls and some game features require subscription or purchase through in game shop. | Takes place in the world of Telara. Players' characters of either the noble Guardians or techno-magical Defiants defend their world from the invading elemental planes in non-instanced Rifts. | 3D | |
Rubies of Eventide | Mnemosyne, LLC | 2003 | Windows | Medieval fantasy | Free play or paid accounts available, with server priority given to the latter | Players can join different servers according to their play style: RP, PvP or normal play. | 3D | |
RuneScape | Jagex | 2001 | Java (applet) | Medieval fantasy, MMORPG | Free play or paid accounts available, paid accounts have access to many more skills, areas, weapons and quests. Additional ingame benefits are available through microtransactions. | Features a vast array of skills, quests and mini-games. | 3D | |
Ryzom | Winch Gate Property, Ltd. | 2004 | Windows, Linux | Role playing | Free to play. A paid subscription is necessary for character advancement beyond a certain level. | High fantasy world. Open source code and artistic material. | 3D | |
ScrumbleShip | OrangeHat Tech, LLC | October 31, 2011 | Windows, Linux | MMOG | Free-to-play demo, purchase of additional packages available. | Open-world MMOG block-building space flight simulator game | 3D | |
Second Life | Linden Lab | 2003 | Windows, OS X, Linux | Virtual world | Free to play with in-game currency and privileges that can be purchased with a subscription | Freeform with in-game build system. Players can sell their own virtual creations. | 3D | Active |
Shattered Galaxy | KRU Interactive | 2001 | Windows | MMORTS | Free play or paid accounts available, with gameplay benefits to paying accounts. | Command a squad of up to 12 air or ground units in faction vs. faction warfare with as many as 20+ teammates. | 2.5D | |
Star Sonata | Star Sonata LLC | October 2004 | Windows | Space MMORPG Action | Free to play with optional monthly subscription for extra content | Engage in space exploration, ship-to-ship combat, trade and galactic conquest to claim the seat of Emperor. | 3D | |
Star Wars: The Old Republic | LucasArts /BioWare | December 2011 | Windows | Space MMORPG Action | Free to play with optional monthly subscription for extra content | Engage in Planet exploration, ship-to-ship combat, trade and questing with up to six different classes and sub classes(empire or republic) and several races to choose from. | 3D | Active |
Tibia | CipSoft | 1997 | Windows, Linux, Browser-based (Flash) | Fantasy | Free to play with restricted content. Can upgrade to a "Premium Account" for full content. | Character development based on killing monsters and (optionally) doing quests and fighting other players. | 2D | |
Toontown Online | Walt Disney Internet Group | June 2, 2003 | Windows, OS X | Cartoon | Free to play. Players could purchase membership to unlock items, clothing, neighborhoods, etc. | 3D child-friendly environment where players took on the rules of cartoon characters in a battle against 'The Evil Cogs'. Completed Toontasks to earn weapon upgrades such as cakes and water squirters. | 3D | Closed September 19, 2013 |
vSide | ExitReality | May 15, 2006 | Windows, OS X | Virtual World | Free to play with in-game currency and privileges that can be purchased with a subscription | Music centered social MMOG. | 3D | Closed |
Wizard101 | KingsIsle Entertainment | September 2, 2008 | Windows, OS X | Cartoon | Free to play. Players can purchase membership to unlock locations and quests. | Players take on the role of students of Wizardry to save the Spiral (which is the set of worlds this game takes place in) and battle a variety of creatures by casting spells using a turn-based combat system similar to collectible card. | 3D | Active |
Wurm Online | Mojang OneTooFree AB Sunsplash Creations | 2006 | Browser-based | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | Community-centric fantasy MMORPG that strives to emulate real life in a medieval fantasy setting. | 3D | Active |
Buy to play
These MMOGs generally require an upfront cost to purchase the game client but are generally free to play without subscription fees. Players may optionally purchase in-game items or currency.
Developer(s) | Release date | Platform | Genre | Synopsis | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guild Wars | ArenaNet | August 28, 2012 | Windows | MMORPG | Requires purchase of game client and then free to play with no subscription fees. | 3D |
Free play in open or closed beta
These MMOGs are free to play. They are still in beta, or development stage.
Developer(s) | Release date | Platform(s) | Genre | Synopsis | Type | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
End of Nations | Petroglyph Games | TBA | Windows | MMORPG | An MMORTS with base assault and base vs. base maps ranging from 1v1 up to 28v28. | 3D |
8BitMMO | Archive Entertainment | TBA | Windows, OS X, Linux | MMORPG | An MMORPG That is an open-world game in 8bit, | 2D Overhead view |
See also
References
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