# My Journey into the World of MMORPGs: Discoveries and Insights
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Chapter 1: My Initial Encounter with MMORPGs
Prior to 2020, my experience with MMORPGs was virtually nonexistent, which might surprise some readers given my lifelong passion for gaming. My gaming habits primarily revolved around single-player experiences and competitive online games like Rocket League and Call of Duty.
As 2021 drew to a close, I was introduced to a game called New World, frequently highlighted on my TikTok ForYou page by creators excited about its launch. Simultaneously, friends were raving about the game's appeal. Consequently, several of us decided to purchase it and dive into the adventure together.
The moment I started playing, I was captivated. I immersed myself in the narrative alongside my friends and continue to enjoy the game to this day, even as my friends have since moved on. After investing hundreds of hours in New World, I became intrigued by other MMORPGs. The titles that piqued my interest included:
- The Elder Scrolls Online
- Star Wars: The Old Republic
- Lost Ark
- Black Desert Online
Section 1.1: Exploring The Elder Scrolls Online
Among these, The Elder Scrolls Online felt most akin to New World due to its action-combat mechanics. I teamed up with a friend to explore its storyline for about 30 to 40 hours. While I found its combat lacking compared to New World's, the narrative drew me in, and I anticipate revisiting it in the future.
Subsection 1.1.1: Delving into Black Desert Online
Next, I tried Black Desert Online, another action-combat MMORPG. Though my time there was shorter than in The Elder Scrolls, it still provided a decent gaming experience.
Section 1.2: The Shift to Lost Ark
Coincidentally, as I began exploring other MMORPGs, Lost Ark was released. Unlike New World, this game does not utilize action-combat mechanics; instead, it relies on keyboard abilities and mouse movement. Despite my attempts, I found this control style unappealing.
Chapter 2: The Star Wars Experience
My final exploration led me to Star Wars: The Old Republic, where I was initially thrilled by the idea of an MMORPG set in the Star Wars universe. However, my excitement waned when I discovered it was not action-combat based. I realize this might be an unpopular opinion, but I have little affinity for tab-target games, preferring direct control over my attacks in an MMORPG.
Due to my aversion to tab-target mechanics, I opted not to try popular titles like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV Online. I believe New World set a high bar for me, and while it may not be the most widely acclaimed MMORPG, many agree that its PvP combat is exceptional.
Nonetheless, I acknowledge that there are numerous games with superior narratives, settings, quests, and overall experiences compared to New World. Yet, my preference for gameplay mechanics hinders me from fully engaging with them.
Section 2.1: Anticipation for Upcoming Titles
Despite my current loyalty to New World, I am eagerly awaiting two upcoming MMORPGs that might entice me away:
- Throne and Liberty: Developed by NCSOFT, known for their work on the Lineage series, this title has limited information available but boasts an intriguing trailer.
- Ashes of Creation: Created by Intrepid Studios, a passionate team aiming to craft a standout MMORPG, this game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and is shaping up to be visually stunning. They recently completed their alpha 1 phase and plan to initiate alpha 2 soon.
The gameplay mechanics appear to be a significant improvement over New World, with a larger map and diverse territories. Their YouTube channel regularly updates fans about the development process:
Chapter 3: The Ongoing Exploration
My journey into the MMORPG genre is just beginning, and I am excited about the myriad of games still left to discover. While I hold a preference for action-combat MMORPGs, I remain open to trying different gameplay styles.
If you play MMORPGs, I’d love to hear your recommendations and experiences. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
Thank you for taking the time to read about my experiences.
Update on Illumination Gaming
I recently created a YouTube video about my new gaming publication, which I believe will be beneficial. I invite gamers to join as writers and readers in this community. You can check out the video on Illumination’s YouTube channel:
If you lack access to YouTube, you can find the video transcript in the attached post.
Invitation to Join Illumination Gaming on Medium
I welcome your feedback and participation in this exciting initiative. My goal is to unite gaming writers and readers on Medium, where I cover gaming and social media topics. As the owner and editor of two Medium publications—one for YouTubers and another for gamers—I invite you to share your stories with us.
If you're interested, check out the invitations with details on how to join:
- Invitation: Join ILLUMINATION Gaming Publication as a Writer
- Invitation to Write for ILLUMINATION on YouTube Publication
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to collaborating with fellow writers and enthusiasts in the gaming community.
