Massively multiplayer online role-playing game

A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) blends the core elements of a role-playing game with those of a massively multiplayer online game. Players take on the role of a character, typically set in a fantasy or science-fiction world, and manage many of that character's actions. What sets MMORPGs apart from single-player or small-group online RPGs is the sheer number of players who can interact simultaneously, along with the persistent game world—usually maintained by the publisher—that continues to exist and change even when a player is not logged in.

These games are played globally. In 2005, worldwide revenues for MMORPGs surpassed half a billion dollars, and by 2006, revenues in the Western world exceeded one billion dollars. By 2008, consumer spending on subscription-based MMORPGs in North America and Europe had grown to $1.4 billion. *World of Warcraft*, a well-known MMORPG, had over 10 million subscribers as of November 2014, and its total revenue that year reached $1.04 billion. *Star Wars: The Old Republic*, launched in 2011, became the "fastest-growing subscription MMO in history" after attracting more than 1 million players within its first three days.

While modern MMORPGs can differ greatly from earlier ones, many share common features: a persistent game environment, some form of level progression, social interaction within the game, an in-game culture, membership in groups, and character customization.

Most popular MMORPGs are set in traditional fantasy worlds, often similar to the universe of *Dungeons & Dragons*. Some mix fantasy with science fiction, sword and sorcery, or crime fiction, while others draw from American comic books, the occult, or other genres. These themes are typically explored through quests, monsters, and loot.

Character development is the primary goal in nearly all MMORPGs. Most feature a progression system where players earn experience points through actions—usually combat with monsters or completing quests for non-player characters, alone or in groups—and use those points to reach higher levels, improving their abilities. Accumulating wealth and useful items, often through combat, is another common path to progress. This cycle of combat leading to better items enabling more combat is sometimes called the "level treadmill" or "grinding." *Eve Online*, a space-based MMORPG, uses a different method where skills train in real-time instead of using experience points.

Some MMORPGs have no level cap, allowing grinding to continue indefinitely, and often celebrate top-ranked players on websites or leaderboards. Others enforce a maximum level, or "level cap." Once reached, progression shifts from gaining experience to collecting money and equipment. At the maximum level, higher-quality gear often has greater aesthetic value, distinguishing top players. This "endgame gear" provides a competitive edge in scripted boss fights and player-versus-player combat, motivating players to outperform others.

MMORPGs almost always include tools for player communication, and many support in-game guilds or clans, which often form even without official support. Many games require teamwork for certain tasks, with players taking on roles like tanking (protecting others from damage), healing, or dealing damage. Game Moderators or Game Masters (GMs), who may be paid staff or volunteers, oversee the world and often have access to features and information unavailable to regular players. Relationships formed in these games can be as intense as those formed outside, involving collaboration and trust.

Most MMORPGs offer different character classes, and a small number of players choose to roleplay their characters. Community resources like forums and guides support this play style. For instance, a player wanting to play a priest might buy a cope from a shop, learn priestly skills, and speak and act as their character would.