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Alternative Gaming Genres for MMORPG Fans
Having been in play for a phenomenal two decades now, World of Warcraft brought a whole new meaning to the realm of online multiplayer RPGs back in 2004. While it's practically an octogenarian in gaming industry terms, Blizzard Entertainment’s iconic game nevertheless continues to pull in millions of active daily players and has built up a dedicated fan base of global gamers, of which you’re probably a member!
However, there comes a time when even if WoW is your ride and die, you might find yourself getting curious about other digital gaming experiences. The gaming industry today is vast and in this dynamic landscape you’ll find an all manner of exciting genres and innovative digital worlds. This array of choice can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together this deep dive into alternative genres that might just pique your interest.
MMORPG
With the likes of Valorant, Destiny 2 and WoW Classic on rotation, you’re probably already pretty familiar with the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game genre. These expansive online games invite leisurely exploration, and sprinkle in a few adrenalines packed quests and encounters for good measure.
The past two decades have brought about considerable growth in the MMORPG genre, and, while most titles will share several core elements with Wow, such as open worlds, social gameplay and character customization, you'd be surprised just how much variety is on offer out there now.
Two MMORPG titles to add to your gaming library:
- The Lord of the Rings Online - often overlooked as an MMORPG this hidden gem is downloadable and playable for free from the Steam platform. It’s truly gorgeous and gives you the option to play as iconic characters from the realms of Man, Elf, Dwarf and, of course, Hobbit. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a villain, you can even play as a servant of Sauron himself.
- Final Fantasy XIV - this iconic series from Square Enix has enjoyed quite the resurgence in the current gaming era with its expansions drawing critical acclaim. Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn in particular, is widely considered to be the best MMORPG on the planet.
Online Casino
The online casino genre is a cornerstone of the iGaming market, which encompasses remote sports betting, poker and casino gaming. Thanks to innovative technologies and rapid advancements in cybersecurity, online casino platforms can emulate the experience of brick-and-mortar casinos, right down to the thrill of playing for and winning real money prizes.
The emergence of online casino gaming has even boosted its popularity with new generations of gamers. The convenience of being able to enjoy authentic experiences like participating in a live dealer table games or playing baccarat games online—as opposed to having to travel to and become a member of a land-based venue—makes it appealing to traditional video gamers and even members of marginalised communities.
Since you’re likely just starting out exploring this genre, it’s important to state that you should only play games on properly licensed casino platforms—think of them as the Steam equivalents of the iGaming world!
Top games to check out are:
- Card games - you’ll find a huge variety of card games online, from the aforementioned baccarat to classic Texas Hold’em poker.
- Slots - lightweight and easy to start playing even with no prior experience, digital slot games come in all manner of themes and formats, including progressive jackpots.
Blockchain Games
As a new sector in the gaming industry, blockchain gaming has a certain novel appeal. But if you look beyond the latest fads in the Web3 gaming genre you’ll actually find quite a number of engaging digital gaming expenses to dive into.
Games in this sector leverage blockchain technology (more commonly associated with cryptocurrencies) to provide expansive virtual gaming environments with a focus on community-driven economies. Plus, thanks to play-to-earn games, it’s possible to be rewarded for your time playing with digital assets possessing real world value.
Blockchain gaming is an emerging trend in both the gaming and cryptocurrency worlds, so new projects are launching all the time. However, there are some tried and true gaming experiences with a formidable reputation in the gaming community which will undoubtedly appeal to WoW and League of Legends gamers.
- Decentraland - this “3D virtual world browser-based platform” is a lot more engaging than it sounds. You can think of it as an RPG marketplace or quest come to life, in that it provides you with the opportunity to buy, develop and sell land. It’s got some pretty great social features too, and the user-generated content provides endless possibilities for exploration.
- Axie Infinity - as one of the longest-running crypto based gaming titles having launched 2018, Axie Infinity is a game that’s built up a substantial player base. Combining elements of Pokémon with a GameFi economy, gameplay involves collecting, breeding and battling creatures called Axies, earning digital asset rewards in the process.