MMORPGs thrive on large numbers of players, but which are actually the most successful on Steam? We at MeinMMO take a closer look at this in this list and have put together a top 10 for June 2023.
How was the list created? For the ranking, we looked at the average number of players in the MMORPGs over the last 30 days. So these are the amounts of players who are logged in at the same time on average.
The data comes from the Steamcharts page, which provides the player numbers.
What is noticeable? Albion Online has grown significantly, almost tripling its player count compared to January’s ranking. One reason is the release in new regions. New World, on the other hand, has lost its second place and is now only bobbing in the middle. Overall, the numbers are declining for almost all MMORPGs, which is also due to the time of year.
These are places 10 through 4. Place 3: The Elder Scrolls Online
What kind of game is this? The Elder Scrolls Online is not a classic MMORPG, because you can experience almost everything without interacting with other players. Especially in the open world and while you follow the story, the other players act more like NPCs who accompany you on the side.
The game convinces above all with its in-depth story, which was completely set to German, as well as with its crafting system, which gives you all kinds of things to do. You scale in the game world, so you can go straight to the areas of the latest expansions right from the start. So it doesn’t take a lot of grind to join your friends.
MMORPG fans can look forward to regular new dungeons, raids and PvP. A highlight here is the massive battlefield of Cyrodiil, where the game’s three factions fight each other and attempt to conquer strongholds.
ESO relies on an action combat system for which you have to block, dodge and actively aim your skills.
Who is it interesting for? ESO is aimed at players who
ESO is also one of the few MMORPGs that you can also play on Xbox and PlayStation.
2nd place: Final Fantasy XIV
What kind of game is this? Final Fantasy XIV has been one of the most popular MMORPGs for years. It focuses on a gripping story that is partly told in the dungeons. There are also crisp raids in the endgame.
The combat system relies on tab targeting, which feels rather sluggish at first, but becomes much more exciting the more skills you unlock. The classes in FFXIV are called jobs and you only need one character to level all of them. Depending on which weapon you have equipped, your class will change.
In addition, you can level up different crafting and gathering classes, buy a house and design your own island.
The current expansion Endwalker was released in 2021 and the next expansion will probably come out in 2024. The latest update appeared in May and heralded the end of the current story.
FFXIV is a subscription game that you have to pay for monthly. However, Free2Play players can now play for free up to level 60 and experience the stories of A Realm Reborn and Heavensward. After that, you need to buy an expansion and take out a subscription.
Who is it interesting for? FFXIV is primarily aimed at players who:
The community is praised by gamers worldwide. Dealing with each other is (mostly) friendly and considerate, which is a big contrast to other MMORPGs, whose communities are rather toxic.
1st place: Lost Ark
What kind of game is this? Lost Ark is an action MMORPG that was released in our west in February 2022. You can now choose from 24 different classes with which you can explore the world of Arkesia in iso perspective.
The focus is on the action-packed fights, the grind for new equipment and the hard endgame content that you then have to master with the equipment. You follow a story that is also told quite well and with many cutscenes, but above all the grind overshadows it a bit.
There are a number of daily tasks, including quests, several dungeons and the island events. In the best case, you don’t do this on one, but directly on 6 different characters in order to get the maximum loot.
Real highlights are the endgame raids, which are teeming with crisp mechanics and great challenges. If you want to assert yourself here, you have to bring a lot of time, patience and sometimes even an interest in external guides to really understand every content of the boss fight.
Who is it interesting for? Lost Ark is aimed at players who
Special case – MIR4
MIR4 is an MMORPG with a focus on cryptocurrency. According to Steamcharts, an average of almost 31,500 players play it at the same time per month. So it would actually be in second place. However, we assume that many bots are active and therefore do not include the MMORPG in our regular ranking.
In MIR4, players can obtain a “cryptocurrency” called DRACO. You can only get the currency by connecting the game to Facebook, Google or Apple. A lot of content runs via autoplay and you can tell from the game that it is intended for mobile.
What do you think of our ranking? What MMORPGs are you currently playing? Write it to us in the comments here on MeinMMO!