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8 Best Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (MMORPG) for Linux

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Massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a kind of computer role-playing game (RPG) that takes place in an online virtual world where a huge number of players interact with each other. Like in role-playing games, each player handles the part of a fictional character represented by an avatar and take control over many of that character's actions. MMORPG players utilizes a client to connect to a server that is typically run by the game publisher, which hosts the virtual world and stores or saves information about the player.

MMORPG is one of the most popular computer game genres and are played all over the world, with revenues said to be more than US$1 billion a year since 2006. World of Warcraft (WoW) is currently the world's most-subscribed MMORPG but its client only runs on Windows and Mac OS X platforms. So if you are using Linux, you may have to rely on Wine to play the game (see 10 Best Windows Games That Can Be Played on Linux). However, if you want to play MMORPGs that are native on Linux, check out this list that I’ve compiled:

8 Best Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games (MMORPG) for Linux (in no particular order):

RuneScape
RuneScape has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's most popular free MMORPG by having more than 10 million active player accounts. It is a graphical browser game implemented on the client-side in Java, and incorporates 3D rendering. RuneScape takes place in the world of Gielinor, a medieval fantasy realm divided into several different kingdoms, regions, and cities. Players can travel throughout Gielinor on foot, through use of magical teleportation spells and devices, and via numerous other methods, such as charter ships. Each region offers different types of monsters, resources, and quests to challenge players.


Regnum Online
Regnum Online is a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Argentina-based game development studio called NGD Studios. The game focuses on the conflict of 3 realms in which players take part, fighting against characters of opposing factions and capturing fortresses and castles aside from the usual player vs. monster combats in addition to usual character development present in other games of the genre. Currently, Regnum Online has more than 500,000 subscriptions and has received reviews in local newspapers, TV programs, and several game-related websites.


Wurm Online
Wurm Online is a Java-based fantasy MMORPG developed by OneTooFree AB. In the game, the player assumes the role of a peasant who can choose his playing style ranging from working alone to being part of a village. The core game-play involves wilderness survival, landscaping (terraforming) and crafting. Wurm Online offers the options of a PvP based game or a non-PvP game where you still have to survive the environment.


Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates
Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates is a massively multiplayer online game with mechanics driven by puzzles. The player takes the role of a pirate, adventuring on the high seas and pillaging money ("pieces of eight") from roaming enemy ships (human or computer-controlled). For example, to effectively sail a ship, players must play puzzle games representing work at the sails for speed, pumping bilge water to remove it from the ship, and carpentry to fix any damage the ship may take. Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates is developed by Three Rings Design.


A Tale in the Desert
A Tale in the Desert (ATITD) is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) set in Ancient Egypt. Most notably, the central focus of the game is unlike most other MMORPGs: society rather than combat. In fact, this game is one of very few in the genre to boast no combat system whatsoever. Instead, the focus of the game is economic development. A Tale in the Desert has one of the most complex crafting systems in an MMO in existence. At its core, it is a tradeskill MMO. A Tale in the Desert is developed and published by eGenesis.


Dofus
Dofus is a Flash-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed and published by Ankama Games. It is primarily a Pay to Play game, though it still offers a limited amount of free content. Its success has led to the marketing of spin-off products, such as books, art and comics. It has also led to the development of two continuations: Dofus Arena, released at the beginning of 2006, which is an alternative "tournament" version of Dofus; and Wakfu, a continuation of Dofus, which is currently in the process of beta testing. The game has attracted over ten million players worldwide and is especially well known in France.


Tibia
Tibia is a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) created by CipSoft GmbH. It is one of the oldest MMORPGs and was considered most noteworthy in its early years. Its most unique aspect is being in a 2D environment, which is expected to contribute to the slow growth of the game as the gaming community rapidly shifted to 3D. Tibia is a free game that is open to the public, though players have the option to pay a fee in order to upgrade to a premium account, granting special in-game benefits, including additional areas to explore, access to vocation promotions, and extra spells.


WorldForge
WorldForge is a community of free game developers centered around developing software, music, art, code and content for free online games. The community is developing a flexible platform for online games, and a demo game Mason that runs on it. The WorldForge Project began in October 1998, under the original name of "Altima." It was originally envisioned to be an "Alternative to Ultima Online" and was mentioned in an article on the Slashdot news website, which became a major source of interested developers.



Do you play massively multiplayer online role-playing game on Linux? Share with us your favorite MMORPG via comment.

26 comments

  1. Nice list :). Planeshift is a great MMORPG for Linux, too.

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  2. Nice list but ROFLs over World Forge picture. Epic Jun! Epic! Hahahaha

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  3. The Mana World is worth to be mentioned, too, IMHO

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  4. How about Vendetta Online? It has native builds for Linux(x64 and x86), Windows, and Mac:
    Vendetta Online

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  5. EVE Runs great under WINE. CCP had a linux client, but have dropped that in favor of running under WINE. Which it does nicely.

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  6. AnonymousMay 10, 2010

    Well, nothing particularly new, its pretty much the same list for what, 3 or 4 years on a row?, only vendetta online and planeshift are missing.

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  7. AnonymousMay 11, 2010

    Planeshift

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  8. Bob RobertsonMay 11, 2010

    This should have been titled "Cross-platform and Linux games", not just "Linux".

    Flash and Java are not "Linux". Agreed with Robert, Vendetta deserves a place on this list.

    I'll have to look up Planeshift.

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  9. Thanks, nice list! I will have to check some of these games out. I myself have played tibia for many years. I will strongly suggest it for people :)

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  10. Would opensim be in there, or does it not qualify? Maybe an honorary mention because you can deploy an entire grid of Second Life style islands all on linux servers. SL is known as an MMO because people buy clothes or items just to socialise etc. But opensim grids like osgrid.org offer the same functionality, although the whole thing is more used in education and other areas I think, than just as a game.

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  11. Runescape is always my favorite one.

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  12. AnonymousJune 14, 2010

    auteria is another

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  13. Black Prophecy is really an eye candy. lol I always wanted to see a good space game that supported great graphics and visuals. I seen the trailer and was in awe. Hopefully the game does the trailer justice.

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  14. AnonymousJuly 30, 2010

    Guys all why play linux games just get WINE a compatibility layer for windows only clients and use that to run windows only games take silkroad or diablo 2 for example as those are playable and much better then most the games mentioned here try it out, just look for it in synaptic pakage Manager, well regnum and wurm is nice but even WOW is playable in wine.

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  15. hi,

    i have some suggestions too:

    - Shaiya
    - Grand Fantasia
    - Runes of Magic
    - ...

    greetings

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  16. ryzom now has a native linux client

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  17. World of Warcraft works on some linux os, but at low fps. It works great on Ubuntu 10.10 at 50-60FPS, but only in Window Mode... You should write it too in this list:)

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  18. Have you all checked out Perpetuum? They're currently the highest rated game on MMORPG.com. Check out www.perpetuum-online.com!

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  19. i like...

    Ministry of War! (just launched)

    www.ministryofwar.com

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  20. "Eternal Lands" should also be mentioned...

    very nice game, Lin|Mac|Win Client, small but amazing community, unique game concepts, very addicting

    definitely worth a try :o

    http://www.eternal-lands.com

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  21. www.kingswordonline.com is a great MMORPG that just needs more members to become one of the best out there.

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  22. Ive been playin Regnum Online for 2 1/2 yrs if you havent seen it they just had a massive update that rased lvl caps to 60 as well as totally changed the war mechanics

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  23. Saga of Ryzom. Very nice, came out at about the same time as WOW, active, detailed, and has a native Linux client that works great.

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  24. Yes, Ryzom not only has a native linux client, but it is free to play (to level 125 out of 250) and is now open source! It is arguably the most sophisticated open source MMO out there, and is known for its excellent community.

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  25. Heros of Newerth works in linux and it's a very good game.
    Watch a game review here:
    http://onlinefreepcgames.blogspot.com/2011/09/heroes-of-newerth.html

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  26. Not a bad game, I've been playing Mytholia since a few months, you have tried it ? Nice strategy ancient game, regards, John.

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