Final Fantasy XI’s producer reflects on the game’s future and preservation plans, while World of Warcraft expands on its player housing system with customizable neighbourhoods, charters, and shared goals. Lost Ark outlines its North American region merge and next major update, and Throne & Liberty introduces a new four-star trial and raid gear changes. Plus: FFXIV, LOTRO, Pantheon and a new MMORPG from Smilegate.

Today’s MMORPG news headlines: Eldramoor’s fantasy VR MMO smashes Kickstarter goals, ESO opens dungeon and update testing on PTS, Blue Protocol teases new zones and crafting, BitCraft outlines housing mechanics, LOTRO’s Great Hobbit Run reaches Mount Doom, and more updates across Pantheon, Mortal Online 2, Tree of Savior, and Palia.

New World unveils Season 9: Season of the Banner with a roadmap full of new PvP, raids, and upcoming zones. Guild Wars 2 teases its next expansion with major structural changes after learning from Janthir Wilds. RuneScape rebalances its economy, BDO Mobile tones down intense PvP, and several other MMOs roll out patches and previews this week.

Today’s MMORPG recap includes Bellatores opening its first closed beta, Chrono Odyssey delaying CBT2 while overhauling combat and visuals, Project Ghost details roguelike Blue Zones, and BDO Console gets the explosive Deadeye class. Plus: new SWTOR events, WoW’s Ghosts of K’aresh update, and more.

Chrono Odyssey addresses its closed beta criticisms with a major overhaul plan, Pantheon refines its stat and levelling systems, Orna kicks off summer with Norse-inspired raids, Palia adds name changes and Mimic pets, DDO prepares for 64-bit server transfers, and Persist Online unveils a punishing PvP Karma system.

New reports reveal ZeniMax’s cancelled MMO ‘Blackbird’ was a Destiny-style shooter, Xbox loved it, but it was axed anyway. Plus: EverQuest teases a deadly new expansion, Guild Wars 2 sparks elite spec rumours, and Blue Protocol devs promise a real MMORPG experience.

Zenimax’s long-rumored sci-fi MMORPG is officially cancelled, and studio founder Matt Firor is stepping down. Plus, Bellatores returns from the dead with a new trailer and beta test, Ship of Heroes sets an August release date, and Black Desert’s Wukong class is finally live. Also today: new updates from Corepunk, FFXIV, Eterspire, and more.