The MMORPG Daily Drop - Your Daily MMORPG News Recap
Welcome to your daily dive into the world of MMORPGs. Today’s news lineup features major seasonal updates, expansion teases, roadmap shifts, and gameplay overhauls from many top titles. Amazon’s New World: Aeternum lays out what’s next for PvP and PvE content in Season 9, Guild Wars 2 reflects on Janthir Wilds and sets the stage for its upcoming expansion, and Jagex continues its RuneScape evolution. Meanwhile, EverQuest II, Black Desert, Star Trek Online, and others offer updates ranging from class reveals to event returns. Let’s get into it.
New World’s Season 9 Brings Capture the Flag and Roadmap Updates
Amazon has officially revealed Season 9 for New World: Aeternum, titled “Season of the Banner,” arriving on July 29. The headline feature is a fully launched Capture the Flag PvP mode, refined through previous previews. Players can expect two community-named rotating maps and an “Anti-Grouping Curse” debuff to keep free-for-all fights competitive.
Other updates include a new 3v3 Arena map, Temple, focused on close-quarters team combat. Expeditions Unleashed introduces fresh bosses, while summer activities return with the Medleyfaire event. The usual dual reward tracks are back too, offering both free and premium cosmetics and boosts.
In a surprise move, Amazon confirmed that Seasonal Servers are officially retired, with no plans to bring them back.
Looking ahead, Season 10 is shaping up with a new zone, raid, procedural expeditions, PvP updates, and new weapons. A preview event is expected mid-Season 9.
Guild Wars 2 Reflects on Janthir Wilds, Teases Expansion Reveal
ArenaNet will unveil Guild Wars 2’s next expansion on July 15. Before that, Game Director Josh Davis shared a comprehensive look at the studio’s learnings from Janthir Wilds and how they’re rethinking expansion pacing.
While Janthir Wilds introduced player housing, new relic systems, and land spears, it drew criticism for short story arcs and a lack of new maps. The next expansion will take a different approach: no story content in the first update post-launch, instead focusing on feature improvements and systemic clean-up. Future updates will then bring larger maps and more substantial narrative chapters.
Elite specializations are confirmed to return with a twist. Rather than focusing on new weapons, these specs will offer unique profession mechanics, skills, and traits while staying weapon-agnostic. The expansion roadmap suggests a stronger endgame focus and improved accessibility across content types.
EverQuest II Sets August Launch for Game Update 129: Fear of Eternity
Daybreak Games has shared its Q3 roadmap for EverQuest II, including the upcoming launch of Game Update 129: “Fear of Eternity” on August 28.
The update takes players back to Chains of Eternity zones, offering Heroic and Solo versions of fan-favourite areas like Wurmbone Crag and the Temple of the Faceless. A catch-up gear crate will be handed to every All Access members to prepare them for the challenge.
Alongside GU129, players can expect the return of Oceansfull and Scorched Sky events, the continuation of the Summer Jubilee, and the Panda, Panda, Panda! seasonal return in September. Extra Life charity incentives will also be announced this month.
RuneScape & OSRS Address Economy and Engine Upgrades
Jagex is rolling out another RuneScape game health update next week, targeting oversupply of alchables and skill-related items to improve the in-game economy.
Meanwhile, Old School RuneScape is testing a major engine overhaul. The new renderer paves the way for future HD visuals and introduces a toggle between classic SD graphics and new HD ones. Both games have also adjusted regional Bond prices to better reflect global market parity, although subscription prices remain unchanged.
Black Desert Mobile Tones Down PvP Mode & Kicks Off Heidel Ball Event
Pearl Abyss has rolled out big changes to the Black Desert Mobile PvP mode Hidden Outer Castle. To reduce player fatigue, match durations are being shortened and rewards increased. Other tweaks include faster respawns, randomized start zones, and new Elite Monsters.
In parallel, the Heidel Ball celebration has begun, with gift boxes available by grinding daily content and collecting invitations. Other tweaks include visibility improvements for the Great Desert, UI refinements, and gameplay updates across several modes.
Star Trek Online Launches Timeless Legacy Bundle with Poetry
Star Trek Online players can now grab the Timeless Legacy starship bundle on PC, featuring ships from the Original Series, Classic Films, and STO’s 25th-century future. The bundle includes new variants, suits, and cosmetic extras and it’s currently 25% off.
The launch trailer features an original poem by composer and voice actor Jason Charles Miller, who narrates a tribute to Star Trek’s past and future. It’s weirdly charming, and definitely worth a watch.
The Quinfall Reshuffles Roadmap Based on Community Feedback
The Quinfall’s roadmap is being restructured after a wave of community feedback. The development team is refocusing on system optimization, skill revamps, lighting, and treasure content for summer.
Fall content now includes raids, ship overhauls, a new PvP duel mode, and yes, a castle siege system. The more controversial addition of a “slave system” has caught player attention, but the studio insists no features are being delayed just rearranged in priority.
