Every Upcoming MMORPG 2026
Welcome to The Tank Club: New World Tank Build! This is a Tank Build designed for completing PvE content in the New World MMO as a Tank and can be used for completing the hardest content including Mutated level 3 expeditions. For a more Beginner friendly setup take a look at the New World Beginner Tank Build.
Table of Contents
A Busy Year for MMORPGs in 2026?
2026 is shaping up to be a big year for the MMORPG genre. After the disappointments of 2025 — with multiple MMOs delayed, pushed into maintenance mode, taken offline, or shut down before launch — the focus now shifts to what’s coming next. There are dozens of new MMORPGs currently in development that could land in 2026, and some of them are genuinely exciting. From ambitious AAA projects and long-awaited sandbox MMOs, to VR MMORPGs, retro pixel titles, and passionate indie releases, there are over 30 games aiming for a 2026 release window. Let’s take a closer look at every MMORPG that could make this a standout year for the genre.
If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in MMORPGs this year, one upgrade that carries across every game on this list is an MMO mouse, especially once skill bars start getting crowded. Extra thumb buttons make managing abilities, macros, and cooldowns far more comfortable across long sessions. A popular option right now is the Razer Naga V2 HyperSpeed, which offers 19 programmable buttons and excellent battery life for MMO-heavy play.
Havenhold
Launch date: 6 January 2026 (China only)
Havenhold is an action sandbox MMORPG inspired by ancient Far Eastern mythology, focusing heavily on skill-based combat, faction conflict, and player-driven progression. Combat is real-time and directional, built around parries, positioning, and timing rather than traditional tab-target rotations.
At launch, the game is expected to feature structured PvP modes including large-scale faction battles and siege-style encounters, alongside open-world progression systems. Development so far has focused primarily on the Asian market, and the January launch is currently limited to China, with no confirmed global release window.
While Western localisation and monetisation details remain unclear, Havenhold is one to keep an eye on in 2026, particularly for players interested in action-heavy MMORPGs that lean closer to PvP sandboxes than traditional theme-park design.
Past Fate
Launch date: 7 January 2026 (Early Access)
Past Fate is an open-world fantasy MMORPG built around player freedom, exploration, and sandbox-style progression in a classic medieval setting. The game places a strong emphasis on travel and discovery, allowing players to sail between islands, explore multiple continents, build ships and settlements, and engage in group dungeons and large-scale PvE encounters.
Rather than guiding players through tightly scripted quest lines, Past Fate aims to recreate the slower, more open-ended pacing of older MMORPGs, where exploration and world interaction are central to progression. During Early Access, the developers plan to expand the game with new regions, quests, raids, world bosses, conquest systems, and deeper naval gameplay.
With its Early Access launch scheduled for early January, Past Fate is one of the first major MMORPG projects to test player interest in 2026.
Dreadmyst
Launch date: 9 January 2026
Dreadmyst is a fantasy MMORPG developed by a solo creator that has quietly become one of the biggest surprise projects heading into 2026. Built on a custom engine, it features traditional tab-target combat with a strong focus on responsive controls, clear class roles, and deep build customisation.
Players choose from four classes — Paladin, Mage, Ranger, and Cleric — and shape their characters through stat allocation and multiple skill trees, allowing for flexible and personalised playstyles. PvE content includes structured four-player dungeons designed around classic MMO roles, while PvP is handled through competitive arena combat that emphasises timing, positioning, and cooldown management.
Notably, Dreadmyst is positioned as a completely non-profit project, with no planned monetisation or pay-to-win systems. With a rapidly growing community and a surprisingly polished core, it stands out as one of the more intriguing indie MMORPG launches arriving in January 2026.
WonderKing
Launch date: 12 January 2026
WonderKing is a side-scrolling, 2D MMORPG often compared to classic MapleStory-style games, blending fast-paced combat with colourful visuals and nostalgic design. Players progress through character classes, skill builds, and gear upgrades while tackling instanced content, boss encounters, and party-based PvE activities.
The game focuses on accessible gameplay and social progression, with a strong emphasis on cooperative play and repeatable content loops. While not aiming to compete with large-scale 3D MMORPGs, WonderKing targets players looking for a lighter, arcade-style MMO experience with modern quality-of-life features.
Its January launch makes it one of the earliest MMO releases of 2026, particularly appealing to fans of retro-inspired online RPGs.
Hytale
Launch date: 13 January 2026 (Early Access)
Hytale is a voxel-based sandbox RPG that sits between a traditional MMORPG and a fully moddable survival game. It combines open-world exploration, RPG-style progression, structured PvE encounters, and deep building systems within procedurally generated worlds filled with dungeons, creatures, and dynamic events.
Visually, Hytale draws obvious comparisons to Minecraft, but mechanically it leans closer to classic RPG combat, including sword-and-shield gameplay, character abilities, and enemy mechanics designed around deliberate encounters rather than pure sandbox chaos.
Early Access will focus on exploration, combat, building, and creator-first tools, with community servers, modding support, and custom game modes expected to expand over time. Hytale’s launch is one of the most anticipated January releases, with long-term potential well beyond 2026.
Project Gorgon
Launch date: 28 January 2026 (leaving Early Access)
Project: Gorgon is a long-running indie fantasy MMORPG built around exploration, experimentation, and player-driven discovery rather than guided questing. After many years in Early Access — during which it earned multiple “Indie MMO of the Year” awards and a Very Positive rating on Steam — the game is finally preparing to leave Early Access in January 2026.
Instead of traditional classes, Project: Gorgon uses a skill-based progression system that allows players to mix and match any two combat skills at a time, creating highly personalised playstyles. Exploration is deliberately unguided, with hidden mechanics, environmental interactions, and unconventional systems that reward curiosity and experimentation.
Project: Gorgon isn’t designed to appeal to everyone, but for players who value depth, discovery, and old-school MMO design over polish and hand-holding, its full launch in 2026 marks the end of one of the genre’s longest and most unconventional development journeys.
Epitome
Launch date: January 2026 (Instant Access)
Epitome is a next-generation fantasy MMORPG built around AI-supported NPCs and large-scale shared worlds. Rather than relying on static quest givers, the game’s core concept revolves around NPCs that can hold natural conversations, remember past interactions, and dynamically adjust quests and dialogue based on player choices.
Importantly, Epitome is not an “AI-made game”, it’s developed by a traditional studio, with AI used specifically to enhance immersion and world reactivity. At launch, the game is expected to feature four playable classes, a shared persistent world designed for large populations, and a firm stance against pay-to-win monetisation.
Instant Access begins in January 2026 via Kickstarter, making Epitome one of the most experimental MMORPG projects heading into the year, and one that could significantly influence how future MMOs approach world interaction if it delivers on its ideas.
Camelot Unchained
Launch date: Q1 2026 (Early Access expected)
Camelot Unchained is a realm-versus-realm focused MMORPG led by Mark Jacobs, the creator of Dark Age of Camelot. Built almost entirely around large-scale PvP, the game features three competing realms, player-built cities, deep crafting systems, and massive battles where territory and structures can be destroyed and rebuilt by players.
PvE exists primarily to support the ongoing war effort, including shared RvR dungeon spaces where all three realms compete for control. The design prioritises siege warfare, logistics, and long-term faction conflict over narrative-driven questing.
After a very long development cycle, Camelot Unchained is now realistically targeting 2026 rather than its earlier projections. While much of the original hype has cooled, its upcoming release still represents one of the most ambitious large-scale PvP MMO projects currently in development.
Anseion
Launch date: March 2026
Anseion is an indie 2D MMORPG built around a simple but strong hook: you choose a side: good or evil, and that faction choice shapes the core PvP loop. The game leans heavily into player conflict, with ranking progression, faction battles, and cyclical fights between cities where coordination and strategy matter as much as gear.
Outside of PvP, Anseion also supports classic MMO progression through PvE monster hunting, loot farming, and a crafting system where you gather materials, create tools, and upgrade equipment to strengthen your character. Build freedom is a big part of the design too, encouraging hybrid setups, warriors dipping into magic, mages experimenting with melee, rather than forcing strict roles.
With March 2026 currently being the target window, Anseion looks like one of those smaller-scale MMOs that could carve out a dedicated community if the faction warfare and progression systems land well.
Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist
Launch date: March 2026 (Early Access)
Eldramoor: Haven in the Mist is an ambitious VR MMORPG built around social play, exploration, and flexible class design. Rather than locking players into rigid roles, the game allows full class and build swapping on a single character, encouraging experimentation and long-term progression without rerolling.
The focus is firmly on community-driven systems, including shared dungeons, PvP, crafting, and social spaces designed specifically for VR interaction. Solid MMORPGs in VR are still extremely rare, and Eldramoor stands out as a genuine attempt to build a persistent online world rather than a short-form VR experience. If it succeeds, it could become one of the most important VR MMORPG projects heading into 2026.
Soulframe
Launch date: Early 2026
Soulframe is a fantasy action RPG from Digital Extremes, positioned as a slower, more deliberate counterpart to Warframe. Combat is weighty and melee-focused, exploration is calm and atmospheric, and the game places a strong emphasis on character identity and world-building rather than constant action.
While Soulframe is often mentioned alongside MMORPGs, it’s important to set expectations correctly, it does not feature a massive shared persistent world, and other players are optional rather than central to progression. Instant access is currently available through Founders packs, with a full launch expected in early 2026. It may not satisfy players looking for a traditional MMO structure, but as a shared-world RPG experience, Soulframe is shaping up to be one of the more polished releases on this list.
MapleStory Classic World
Launch date: Early 2026
MapleStory Classic World is an official old-school MapleStory server developed by Nexon as part of the main Global MapleStory ecosystem. Unlike community-run projects or spin-off platforms, this is a faithful recreation of the game before the Big Bang update, led by original MapleStory designer Nemi.
The goal is to preserve classic progression, social grinding, and iconic early zones, while layering in modern quality-of-life features such as widescreen support. With multiple private playtests already completed, including an in-person testing event, MapleStory Classic World appears closer to release than most classic MMO revivals, making early 2026 a realistic target.
Monsters & Memories
Launch date: June 1st 2026 (Early Access)
Monsters & Memories is a classic, group-focused MMORPG heavily inspired by early EverQuest-era design. It embraces slow progression, dangerous open-world PvE, and a strong reliance on player cooperation, deliberately avoiding modern conveniences like fast travel and solo-friendly systems.
Combat and progression are intentionally methodical, encouraging players to communicate, plan pulls carefully, and learn the world through experience rather than UI guidance. Social dependency is a core pillar, with group play being essential rather than optional.
With Early Access currently planned for June 1st 2026, Monsters & Memories is one of the clearest examples of the ongoing revival of truly old-school MMORPG design aimed squarely at players who miss slower, more social MMO experiences.
Arvita
Launch date: Q2 2026 (Early Access)
Arvita is a hardcore fantasy MMORPG built around social dependency, logistics, and server-wide cooperation. Originally developed by a solo creator, the project is now backed by Raid Wipe Studio, significantly accelerating development and expanding the game’s scope.
The game features party-driven combat, deep crafting systems, territory control, and a unique Player vs Developer system where live GMs and reactive systems can reshape the world in real time, cities can fall, supply lines can break, and player actions have lasting consequences. With no fast travel, meaningful death penalties, and deliberate combat pacing, Arvita is clearly aimed at players who miss high-stakes, community-reliant MMORPGs.
SpiritVale
Launch date: Mid-2026 (Early Access)
SpiritVale is a free-to-play, class-based action MMORPG inspired by classic titles like Ragnarok Online, but designed with modern real-time combat. Players choose familiar archetypes such as Warrior, Mage, Rogue, or Summoner, then develop their characters through branching skill trees, gear progression, crafting systems, and card-based enhancements.
The game places its focus on exploration, loot hunting, and party-based PvE, deliberately avoiding autoplay or overly automated systems. Developed as a solo passion project, SpiritVale has a clear stance against pay-to-win monetisation, with a planned full wipe at Early Access launch. It’s a smaller-scale MMO, but one that could resonate strongly with players looking for classic structure paired with modern combat feel.
Secret Forest
Launch date: 2026 (Closed beta upcoming)
Secret Forest is a cross-platform MMORPG targeting PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch 2, making it one of the few upcoming MMOs aiming to launch across all major platforms simultaneously. Set in a fantasy world divided between Light and Darkness, the game places a strong emphasis on player choice, faction alignment, and story-driven progression.
Players choose from multiple races, zodiac-based stat bonuses, and a wide range of professions, blending combat, crafting, exploration, and social systems such as marriage and shared progression. Combat is designed to be tactical rather than purely stat-driven, with level-equalised zones helping to keep group content accessible and balanced. Secret Forest is positioning itself as a broad, accessible MMORPG for both console and PC audiences heading into 2026.
Adrullan Online Adventures
Launch date: 2026
Adrullan Online Adventures is a classic-inspired, voxel-based MMORPG built around exploration, community, and slow, meaningful progression. The game deliberately avoids modern conveniences, offering no minimap, limited hand-holding, and a strong focus on learning the world through direct exploration.
Combat is slower and more punishing, with enemies hitting hard and preparation playing a critical role in survival. Recent development updates have focused on expanding content, improving combat balance, and refining the user interface, with server stress testing now a key priority ahead of launch. Adrullan is not designed to be forgiving, but for players who miss demanding, exploration-driven MMORPGs, it’s quietly shaping up to be a standout title for 2026.
