Rift vs World of Warcraft

So okay, I believe I mentioned once before that I have been playing World of Warcraft. Basically, every MMORPG player is bound to have tried this game out at least once.

Now, WoW is a topnotch pay to play game which can be rather expensive seeing as you have to buy the game, the expansions and then get billed every month that you play. Hmmm so yeah the first barrier is when new players want to try it out but the trial period is too short.

WoW remedied that some time ago by making WoW free to play for the first 20 levels of the game. Not bad at all! No time limit but players cannot join or create a party.

Rift has recently joined followed suit by releasing the new Rift Lite. It is now also free to play up to level 20.

Let the free WoW vs free Rift wars begin!

Making a game free to play (with limits) just makes more sense nowadays, especially during this recession. It's not like all people have piles of money they want to spend on online games. MMORPGs also take up so much time that players who are currently playing one are reluctant to make the switch to a new one, mush less spend over $100 on p2p MMO games.

So, in short, I think this is a good move and Rift will probably attract more new players.

“In the past ten months, Rift has evolved at a breakneck pace, through seven massive updates that set new expectations for live MMOs, in features, in content, and in service,” said Scott Hartsman, Executive Producer of Rift and Trion’s CCO. “We think a Lite edition with no time limit is the best way for players to see what an amazing experience Rift continues to be.” from here

Why Players Love WoW

I have been playing World of Warcraft lately and it struck me that I have not been writing about WoW recently. So here are some of my random thoughts as to why players love WoW:

• the graphics are realistic 3D but not so high quality that the download is extremely huge
• you can play it on mid-range computers/ no need to buy a new PC to play it
• each race has its own starting area, back history and "feel" so that it has great replay value
• good dialogue even though I know most players just click or scroll through the text without reading it :)
• the community isn't mean to new players

There are more reasons why players love WoW but those are the ones that have stuck in my mind.



Best Free WoW Clone

MMORPG Beginnings

Over a decade ago the Realm and Meridian 59 started the trend of a graphical web based MUD we don't see a particular mainstream, alternative MMO setting amongst the top five. Although free web games like Club Penguin but better might have millions of players, the top developers are still going for monthly subscriptions.

You just have to love Club Penguin. It has it all: colorful graphics, quirky and fun games, lots of players, no download needed (you can play it on your browser) and, best of all, it’s free to play.

It's not at all that such games aren't releasing but it's rare to see a big expense plan or big name studio do such a release. The big money almost always goes to what works dependant on risk/return.

It seems like as soon as they ventured into some other unique settings including Auto Assault and even Tabula Rasa they got burned. That leaves mainly independent developers to generate something truly unique but the problem is that they likely will face the down side of not having enough resources. That doesn't mean a wonderful game is impossible though.

F2P MMORPG Games Online 2012

As lifestyles become more technology-based, everyone seems to have become busier. Emails, text messages and phone calls can now intrude into one’s life, sometimes even while one sleeps. There seems to be no escape from the demands from relationships, jobs, obligations and other responsibilities.

But there is one sure way to get away from it all and allow oneself to take a full, well-deserved break. Free MMORPG, or massive multiplayer online role-playing games offer the chance to recover from the daily stresses of life. At the same time, these online MMORPGs are free and always available so there is no need for big preparations or even budgeting. Well, maybe prepare a tumbler of one’s favorite beverage and ready-made meals in the kitchen because once this online life begins, it’s a whole new world.

A free MMORPG lets one build a character that will pursue quests and generally perform as a hero – an opportunity that is probably lacking or difficult to come by in most regular real-life jobs. The game unfolds as fast or as slow as one desires depending on how one chooses to play it. There are endless options for customization that is a delight in itself considering the limited options faced in daily routines.

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Find More MMO Games Friends

There are best friends, family friends, school friends, and then there are the cool friends who can wield magical staffs, swords and the most powerful weapon out there against an almost impossible horde of monsters.

Playing free MMORPGs, or massive multiplayer online role-playing games, opens up a different kind of social life for the player. The friends that one acquires through this kind of gaming can span oceans and continents. There are no boundaries except perhaps how much level and experience one has gained. But once one has attained the level of the big guys and can offer so much in terms of support and working with the team in defeating a particularly tough boss, then there is no stopping the fun.

The fun thing about playing free MMORPGs is the variety of other players that one gets to meet. It is almost like a training ground for the real world and dealing with real people face-to-face. Some start playing games with a group of friends and they level up all at the same time. But then at some point one or two would not be able to sustain the gaming and replacements will be needed. There will always be solo players out there looking for a team to work with, whether for long-term or short-term. In this way, new alliances and friendships are formed. For those who brave the free MMO game world alone, the finding of trustworthy companions is an adventure in itself.

Outside of the game there are even other channels that have sprung up to sustain the connections born within the game. There are forums and blogs and social networks for almost every free MMORPG out there. For the truly enthusiastic, there are even opportunities for actual meet-ups during conventions or events, or even through personal arrangements. The passion for the game nurtures these friendships and just as their characters level up, so do their social relationships outside of the game.

Cooperative Gameplay in MMORPG Games

The very nature of free MMORPG encourages these social interactions because it will be very challenging to survive through the quests and goals and battles all by oneself. Of course there are always options for solo playing in some games that is to hire companions within the game. These companions are characters provided by the game itself to aid new adventurers who have not yet fully decided how to proceed in it. Some solo players do this first until they get the hang of the game before seeking out characters run by real people.

But regardless of the path pursued within the game, in the end it is inevitable that one will get to know other players. Like-minded characters or complementary characters will naturally get drawn to one another and spawn a unique camaraderie that can only be found in an MMORPG. In addition to opening up worlds and ways to express oneself through the enjoyable character customization, free MMO games also open up new avenues for making friends and enriching one's social network. Besides, how many people, when asked how they met their best friend, can say something like "Over the dead body of a fire-spewing three-armed half-dragon, half-eagle monster"?

If you would like to start playing a free MMO game today, try this list of fantasy MMORPG games like World of Warcraft or visit MMO Worlds, the top website that focuses exclusively on the best free MMO games online. It contains links, reviews, gameplay videos, screenshots, game artwork and more.

What are MMORPG Games?

MMORPG is an acronym for "massively multiplayer online role-playing games." It is a genre in computer gaming where the interaction among a huge number of players within the game's virtual world happens.

Just like in all other types of role-playing games, character roles, usually from a world of fantasy, are assumed by players who take control over many of the character's actions.

Aside from the number of players, MMORPGs can be distinguished from small multi-player RPGs and those played by single players by the persistent world of the game. The game still evolves and continues to exist even when the player is away from the game and not online. The data about the game is stored on a server or servers which are normally hosted by its publisher.

Across the globe, MMOs are being played by millions of avid fans. Revenues around the world for these virtual games surpassed the half-billion dollar mark in 2005. In 2006, consumer spending in the West on subscription MMORPGs rose to more than $1.4 billion. As of March 2011, over 11 million people are subscribed to the extremely popular MMORPG World of Warcraft.

Traditional fantasy themes are what most of the well-liked MMORPGs are based on. The games are usually set in a universe similar to that of classic RPGs such as Dungeons and Dragons. Hybrid themes are used by some that either substitute or combine elements of fantasy with those of crime fiction, sword and sorcery, steampunk or science fiction. Even thematic materials from the legends, myths, fairy tales, comic books, anime, and other genres are used by some MMORPGs. The elements are developed using scenes and similar tasks that involve monsters, quests, and loot.

In almost all MMORPGs, a primary goal is the development of the player's character. This is done through gaining experience or exp which can be increased by completing tasks, storylines or by defeating various enemies or bosses. Once the right amount of exp has been gained, the character that the gamer controls will level up. Leveling up involves making the character stronger through learning more skills or increasing innate traits such as health, strength, intelligence, agility, etc.

As the character levels up, equipment becomes more and more important. This includes clothes, armor, weapons and accessories. While low level equipment is quite easy to acquire, high level equipment is typically expensive and much more rare.

One of the most popular activities is players teaming up with other players to be able to achieve a more optimal progression rate. They can form a group or party to kill boss monsters or navigate through a dangerous dungeon. This type of content is called cooperative play but the opposite, competitive gaming, also exists and is likewise extremely popular among MMO fans.

While cooperation is needed to complete difficult tasks, friendly competition between individuals or groups is also encouraged. Player vs player or PvP can take the form of 1 vs 1 dueling, guild vs guild battles or faction vs faction wars.

In conclusion, MMO games are basically virtual worlds where players can create a character so they can indulge in many adventures and have fun.

In 2012, there are two big upcoming releases that are expected to dominate the market. These are Bioware's new MMO game, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Guild Wars 2 by ArenaNet. You can find the latest and freshest news about these and other upcoming MMOs at the 2012 Best Free MMORPG Games List. This article was written by Mira Nolan, a writer for MMO Worlds, a gaming portal and blog for free to play MMOGs.

Top 5 MMORPGs

Everybody enjoys playing MMO games these days.  How can players resist? Most offer huge worlds to explore and have many hundreds of fellow gamers to play and team up to achieve objectives or even to compete for rewards and bragging rights.  These types of online MMOs have taken the gaming industry by storm and thousands and thousands of players all around the world play at least one MMO, if not more.

Find links to free MMORPG games at MMO Worlds, the top gaming blog for free to play MMO games online. Check out the latest list of the top f2p browser MMORPGs like Runescape or the Top MMORPGs 2011 list.

On the other hand, a lot of them call for month-to-month subscription fees and sadly that may be a deal breaker for most people.  Luckily for those who are worried about spending monthly fees to fuel their adventuring wants there are many free to download and play MMOs that demand no monthly membership fees ever.

In fact, the biggest advantage of these PC games is the fact that if you should ever decide that the MMO you are playing isn't right for you, you have not spent anything and have lost nothing except the time it took you to download, install it on your computer  and play it.

These free MMOGs use an ingame cash shop  to pay for server costs and content updates to keep gameplay entertaining.  The item shop is totally optional, you can play as long as you like without ever needing to shell out a dime on it.  However, those who spend money on the item store usually will have access to some items that help improve character customization like cool hair colors, eye colors, emotes, and so forth. while gamers who do not spend money will have to be content with the free avatar looks and styles.

Gamers looking to devote the minimum amount of dollars possible be wise to just buy added inventory space.  F2P MMORPGs are known for limiting storage capabilities to a few slots to entice players to buy more storage slots for more convenient gameplay. Once you decide how much storage room you need then any additional purchases is entirely up to you.

The main draw of the cash shop is generally the cosmetic items.  Gamers often love to dress up their avatars and there will be no shortage of clothing to ensure that you are playing in style.  Many of these items are simply costumes that look good. They cover your usual clothing or equipment and have the same stat bonuses.

Another popular item in the item shop are pet companions.  Pets are normally just a little animal companion that follows the player around. While some may help you fight mobs, many are there just for the look of things because they are cute.  Pets can range from your basic dog or cat, to exotic fantasy creatures like tigers, robots, leprechauns, or even monsters like skeletons, vampires, ice monsters, etc.  There is normally minigames you must play such as feeding them and petting them to keep your companion happy.  These pets are totally optional and players are not forced to purchase one.

Nowadays no download browser MMORPGs like Runescape are some of the most popular kinds of free to play MMORPGs as noted in the Top 5 MMORPGs list.

Free MMORPGs Occasionally even offer you items you can purchase with real funds instead of game currency such as potions and even elixirs that give you temporary boosts to experience points or luck to increase your drop rate.  While most of these types of items can be purchased using the game currency, they can be very expensive if your temperament has not located a good way to elevate funds.  Speaking of funds, if you're broke in the game world, but not so broke in real life, you can commonly purchase game currency for real cash to give yourself the advantage of not having to invest time raising funds in the game.

If you are looking for the best MMORPG but do not want to devote dollars on subscription fees, a f2p one might be the right choice for you.  There are many great f2p MMOs out there, so do a little research into which ones are your type.  The best thing about all of this is that if ever you decided that you don't like the game, you didn't spend any money on it at all so you lost nothing but a little bit of time.