The 6 Expansions That Saved MMOs: A Look Into the Life-Saving Upgrades

The world of video games has changed drastically in the past couple of decades. In the days of yore, standalone PC or console games were created with the intention of sequels or downloadable content being released in the future. Today, however, massive MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) dominate the market, and many of these games rely on expansions to keep them alive. Expansions are often similar to upgrades or bug fixes but on a much larger scale and often have new content alongside fixes. 

In this article, we'll take a look at six expansions that saved the MMORPGs they belonged to. Although these expansions might not have been the best for their respective games, they were the crucial changes that kept these massive games alive. 

Brimstone Sands - New World

Brimstone Sands is an expansion for the MMORPG New World set in the 17th century and developed by Amazon Game Studios. The expansion was released in 2022 and saw a massive overhaul of the existing game. Not only did it add a whole new region to explore – the mysterious and sinister Brimstone Sands – it also added new quests, enemies, areas, and loot. It also brought many bug fixes and balance changes to the game which had been long requested by players. The most notable change was the introduction of a new faction – the Marauders – and their subsequent story missions. These missions served to provide a more in-depth narrative for the game and gave players plenty of content to explore and enjoy.

Morrowind - Elder Scrolls Online

Morrowind was released in 2017 as an expansion to the popular MMORPG Elder Scrolls Online. It was the first expansion for the game and saw many changes from the original game. Not only did it add a brand new region to explore, but it also brought in many new features, such as new dungeons, bosses, and enemies. It also featured a higher-level cap, increased crafting options, and the ability to become a vampire or werewolf. The expansion also provided a much-needed overhaul of the game's combat system, bringing in a much more rewarding and challenging experience. 

Dragonflight - World Of Warcraft

Dragonflight is an expansion for the long-running MMORPG World Of Warcraft. It was released in 2022 and saw a complete overhaul of the game. Not only was the expansion responsible for major changes to the game's combat system, but it also introduced a brand new race – the Dragonspawn – and their homeland, Ryzom. It also brought in many new raids, dungeons, and bosses, as well as a higher-level cap and a new storyline to enjoy. It also had a major effect on the game's economy, with the introduction of powerful abilities and items that could be purchased with in-game currency. 

The Taken King - Destiny 2

The Taken King was released in 2015 as an expansion for Destiny 2. The expansion was the game's first major overhaul since its launch and saw a massive improvement to the game. The Taken King introduced an entirely new loot system which made grinding for items much more rewarding, as well as new story quests, enemies, and bosses. It also brought in a number of quality-of-life changes, such as an overhaul of the game's UI, better matchmaking, and the ability to purchase in-game currency. The Taken King improved the game significantly, giving players plenty of new content to enjoy. 

A Realm Reborn - Final Fantasy 14

A Realm Reborn was released in 2020 as an expansion for the MMORPG Final Fantasy 14. It was an ambitious expansion that saw the complete revamp of many of the game's core mechanics, as well as a brand-new storyline and other content. The expansion introduced a new race, new dungeons, and a new, more accessible crafting system. It also brought in a much more balanced combat system and rewards system, allowing players to enjoy more of the game more. The expansion ultimately changed the game completely and made it much more enjoyable and accessible to all. 

Before The Shadow - Lord Of The Rings Online

Before The Shadow is an expansion to the MMORPG Lord Of The Rings Online, it was released in 2022 and saw a major overhaul of the existing game. Not only did it add a brand new storyline and new areas to explore, but it also brought in a number of new enemies, bosses, and dungeons. It also included a new crafting system, allowing players to craft powerful weapons and armor, and improved the game's rewards system. It had a major impact on the game and made it much more interesting and rewarding. 

Conclusion

The expansions that we have discussed in this article all had a very different impact on their respective MMORPGs, but all of them had one thing in common – they saved the game from failure or irrelevance. Whether it be a major overhaul of the game's mechanics or a brand new storyline, these expansions breathed new life into their respective games, allowing them to remain popular and successful for years to come. If you're looking for new content for your favorite MMO, take a look at the expansions discussed in this article, and you're sure to find something that will get you hooked.