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This is a selected list of massively multiplayer online games which are free to play in some form without ever requiring a subscription or other payment. These are commonly MMORPGs or MMOFPSs, but could be of any genre.
Free play
These MMOGs run on a non-profit basis, requiring no payment from the players.
| Developer(s) | Release date | Required OS | Genre | Payment | Synopsis | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegiance | Microsoft | 2000 | Windows | Space Sim/RTS Hybrid | Free to play since source released in 2004 | 3D Space Combat with teamwork and RTS elements | 3D |
| Astro battle | Lava Lord Games | 2004-12-31 | Windows, Linux | Multi-directional shooter | Free to play, sequel in free beta testing | Overhead multi-directional shoot-em-up where players design their own ships | 2D |
| Crossfire | n/a | 1992 | Multi-platform, including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and others. | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, open source project | A cross between NetHack and Gauntlet. | 3D |
| Gekkeiju Online | Created by Suvi Aalto Produced by Coolhouse | 2003 | Windows | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free to play | Players control an anime like character in a medieval fantasy world. Hard-to-see features such as weather which affects gameplay. | 3D |
| Infantry Online | Harmless Games LLC / Sony Online Entertainment | 1999 | Windows | Action | Free to play | Players take the role of soldiers on an isometric battleground and duke it out in a variety of gametypes. | 2.5D |
| IVAO | Erwin Lion and Morten Hansen | 1998-12-16 | n/a | Flight simulation | Free to play | Uses existing flight simulation software with custom plug-ins, players may interact with the network as either pilots or air traffic controllers. | |
| PlaneShift | Atomic Blue | 2002-02-10 | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free play | The player starts out as a peasant in search for fame and becomes a hero. Roleplaying is enforced. | 3D |
| SubSpace | Virgin Interactive/Fan-Community | 1997-11-30 | Windows | Action | Free to play | Players fly, fight, and play a variety of games with spaceships. | 2D |
| Terra | Terra Outlands | 1997-06 | Windows | Action | Free to play | Play as a vehicle operator in a 24x7 3D virtual world individual or clan based battle game | 3D |
| Urban Dead | Kevan Davis | 2005-07 | Browser-based | Survival horror | Free to play | Play as a human or a zombie trying to survive in the undead-infested city of Malton. | Web |
| Underlight | Lyra Studios | 1998-12-24 | Windows | Free play, public beta | 3D | ||
| VATSIM | n/a | 2001-07, (replacing SATCO) | n/a | Flight simulation | Free to play | Uses existing flight simulation software with custom plug-ins, players may interact with the network as either pilots or air traffic controllers. |
Free play with advertising
These MMOGs are free to play. They are funded through advertising, either in-game or through pop-ups.
| Developer(s) | Release date | Required OS | Genre | Payment | Synopsis | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anarchy Online | Funcom | 2001-06 | Windows | MMORPG, Science-fiction | Normally subscription based, currently in free-play until Jan 2011 (where it may be extended again) but with advertisements. 30% of the total game is available to play for free. | Two factions fight for control of the distant desert planet Rubi-Ka. | 3D |
| Jennifer Government: NationStates | Max Barry | 2002 | Browser-based | Government simulation game | Advertising in the form of ad-bars the novel Jennifer Government. | Players build nations and run them according to their political ideals. | Web |
Free play with micro-transactions
These MMOGs are free to play, but players may optionally purchase in-game items or currency.
| Developer(s) | Release date | Required OS | Genre | Payment | Synopsis | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2Moons | GameHi | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free-play, with Acclaim Coins purchases and in-game advertisement | ||
| 9Dragons | GameHi | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free-play, with Acclaim Coins purchases and in-game advertisement | Player characters learn martial arts to survive in the harsh lands of China. | |
| Angels Online | UserJoy Technology | 2006 | Windows, Playstation 3 | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, optional item shop purchases | Players control an anime like character in a medieval fantasy world. | 2D |
| ArchLord | NHN Corporation | 2006-10-03 | Windows | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free play, players may purchase in-game currency | 3D | |
| Atlantica Online | NDOORS Interactive | 2008-10-30 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with microtransactions. | Turn-based battles. Guild-controlled customizable cites. Certain features require guild membership. | 3D |
| Audition Online | T3 Entertainment | 2005 | Windows | Casual game | Free to play, using a cash shop system that allows users to use real money to purchase in-game clothes, accessories, etc. to dress up their avatars. | Dance competition. Game style is similar to Stepmania, Dance Dance Revolution and Bust A Groove. | 3D |
| Battlefield Heroes | Electronic Arts | 2009-07-14 | Windows | Third Person Shooter | Free to play: Cash shop for more cosmetic changes. Weapons can be bought for in game currency or for longer with cash. | Third person shooter, different sides fight for victory team deathmatch style. Many different vehicles, guns, and class abilities, as well as diverse maps, allow for variety. | 3D |
| Bang Howdy | Three Rings Design | 2006-12-01 | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | Wild west MMO | A collection of wild-west themed games for 2-4 players. Guilds and guild competitions. | 3D | |
| Cabal Online | ESTSoft | 2006 | Windows | Sci-fi MMORPG | Free to play with cash shop. | An MMORPG with a combo battle system. | 3D |
| Conquer Online | TQ Digital | 2003 | Windows | MMORPG | Free-play, with item purchases | Combat-focused play in mythical China. Players can earn fame and wealth. | 3D |
| Cyber Nations | Kevin Beaks | 2006-01-6 | Browser-Based | Online Geopolitical Simulator | Free to play, with optional advertisements for bonus, and ability to donate for ingame cash and items. | Create and improve a nation. Focused on politics such as forging alliances. | Web |
| Domain of Heroes | Tandem Games | 2008 | Browser Based | Fantasy, Text Based, MMORPG | Free-play, with optional purchases | Players create and build up their character through PVP, PVE, Quests, and Trade. | Web |
| DECO Online | Rocksoft | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free-play, with item purchases | Combo based combat. Players can earn fame, enhance items, and change job. | 3D |
| Dragon Oath | ChangYou | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play; optional tokens can be exchanged for exclusive items, pets, etc. | Players follow one of the nine ancient forms of Kung Fu to gain skills and advance through a stunning fantasy world based on Chinese mythology. | 3D |
| Dragonica | Barunson Interactive | 2009-06-10 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, optional cash shop purchases | 3D | |
| Drift City | NPLUTO | 2007-09-05 | Windows | Racing | Free to play with an item shop. | Players progress through a linear mission system with multiplayer races. | 3D |
| Dungeons & Dragons Online | Turbine, Inc. | 2006 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with in-game shop. In game shop can unlock inaccessible areas permanently. Optional subscription available with rewards that remain even after subscription is over. | MMORPG based on Dungeons & Dragons. | 3D |
| EGO | Punch Entertainment, Inc. | 2008-09 | Browser based & mobile phones | Online Community, Casual Game, Virtual World | Players can purchase tokens which are used to buy items and clothing. Players also earn merits by playing various games which can also be used to purchase items and clothing. | 2D | |
| Entropia Universe | MindArk | 2003-01-30 | Windows | MMORPG, MMOFPS, Science-fiction | Virtual economy with in-game to real-life currency exchange | Massive virtual universe with a virtual economy. | 3D |
| Eternal Lands | Open Source license | 2003-02 | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | MMORPG | Free to play with purchasable items on the homepage | A medieval fantasy genre MMOG with combat and trading. | 3D |
| Exteel | NCsoft | 2007-12 | Windows | Third-person shooter | Free to play with in-game items and skills available for purchase | Customize and control giant mech. PvP and PvE. | 3D |
| Flyff | Aeonsoft | 2005-12 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with cash shop | Fantasay RPG with emphasis community. | 3D |
| Gaia Online | - | 2003-02 | Forum-based | Fantasy, Online Community | Users may purchase special, month-specific items called Monthly Collectibles with real currency. | Constant update to Online Community with new items and contests. | Web |
| Granado Espada | imc GAMES | 2007 | Windows | MMORPG | Free play with the ability to purchase gold for in-game items. | Control up to 3 characters at the same time. | 3D |
| Gunbound | Softnyx | 2006 | Windows | Shooter, Action | Free to play with cash shop. | A turn-based game similar to Worms. | 2D |
| Gunz: The Duel | MAIET Entertainment | 2005 (Release) - 2003 (Beta) | Windows | Third-person shooter | Browser (Windows client available), free-play, no in-game advertisement, where players can buy "G coins" at a rate of 10 G coins=1 American Dollar | Player characters fight on different levels and kill each other to level up. | 3D |
| Hattrick | Extralives | 1997-08 | Browser-based | Sports game | Optional "supporter service" and "mobile service" | Players manage a simulated soccer team to compete with others. | Web |
| Jade Dynasty (video game) | Perfect World International | 2009-06 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play. Item purchase via zen shop. | Martial arts style game with a good vs evil theme. | 3D |
| Kal Online | Inix Soft | 2004 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free-play, with an item shop. | Fantasy MMORPG | 3D |
| Kingdom of Loathing | Asymmetric Publications | 2003-02 | Browser-based | Comedy Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with items available for purchase | Players follow a story to free King Ralph whilst interacting with others online. | Web |
| Kart Rider | Nexon | 2007 | Windows | Racing | Free-play, with an item shop. | Racing game similar to Mario Kart. | 3D |
| LaTale | Actoz Soft | 2008-09-18 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items available for purchase. | Players take the role of adventurers in a mythological fantasy world. | 2D |
| Lunia: Record of Lunia War | allm | 2008-02-18 | Windows | Action MMORPG | Free to play with cash shop | Action RPG with emphasis on combat, storytelling and PvP. | 3D |
| Mabinogi | Nexon | 2004-06 | Windows | Fantasy | Free to play with special items and privileges available for purchase | Based on Welsh mythology, with an emphasis on life in fantasy world rather than hack and slash. | 3D |
| MapleStory | Nexon | 2003-04-29 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, with items and gameplay enhancements available for purchase on website | Action RPG elements, quests, party quests, and guild quests. | 2D |
| Miniconomy | Trade Games International | 2001-01-01 | Browser-based | MMO Trade Game | Free to play, with additional options and gameplay enhancements available for purchase on website | Browser-based trading game where players all start equal, and have to sell to, and buy from, each other to become the richest within a given timeframe | Web |
| MLB Dugout Heroes | OnNet Co. Ltd. | 2009 | Windows | Sports | Free to play with cash shop. | A sports MMO that revolves around baseball using MLBPA licensed players. | 3D |
| Navy Field | SD Enternet | 2006-02-08 | Windows | MMORPG, Naval simulation | Free to play, with additional items and gameplay enhancements available for purchase on website | A naval combat MMOG set during World War II. | |
| Nostale | Entwell | 2007 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free play with item purchases | Player starts as an adventurer to complete timestone missions and quests that follows with the game's story. | 2D |
| PangYa | Ntreev Soft | 2007 | Windows | Sports game | Free play with item purchases | Anime style, arcade golf game. | 3D |
| Perfect World | Perfect World Entertainment | 2005-07 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play, optional item shop | Players can fly game world based on Chinese mythology. | 3D |
| Phoenix Dynasty Online | Object Software | 2007 | Windows | fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, optional item shop purchases | players can learn and practice the Chinese Kungfu to advance their character and rule the dynasty. | 2D |
| PoxNora | Octopi, Inc. | 2006-08 | Windows | Real-time strategy, Fantasy | Free play with item purchases | ||
| Priston Tale | Triglow Pictures Inc. | 2007-05-17 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play with Item shop | Fantasy MMORPG where you can choose from 8 different character classes and fully customize stat points as you level up. The game features an aging system where you can spend gold and use items to 'age' your weapons and armor with chance of failure up to level +18 and each level from 4 and up has a special color. There is PVP and a Survival Mode type game called SOD(Survive of Die) where you try to kill waves of monsters as they progress in level every round up to 8. | 3D |
| Puzzle Pirates | Three Rings Design | 2003-12-08 | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | Pirate-themed MMO based on puzzles. | Free play with special items and privileges available for purchase with secondary in-game currency. Secondary currency may be traded between players for normal in-game currency (eliminating any need to spend real money), or purchased with real money. | Players perform tasks as pirates by playing a number of puzzle-style mini games. | 2D |
| Ragnarok Online | Gravity Interactive, Inc. | 2003 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play server, Valkyrie. Optional paid servers. Has a cashshop. | Players choose from dozens of character classes to level. Endgame activities focus on acquiring better equipment, hunting boss monsters (MvPs), PvP, and large weekly guild vs. guild (War of Emperium) to capture castles. | 3D/2D |
| Rakion | softnyx | 2005 | Windows | Third-person fighting | Free play with in-game currency and improved status available for purchase. | A room based game. Players create rooms with different game types such as PvP or Team PvP. | |
| Rappelz | nFlavor | 2006 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free play with special items available for purchase | 3D | |
| Regnum Online | NGD Studios | 2007-05-24 | Windows, Linux | Fantasy | Free play with premium item available for purchase | Players join a realm in a fight against 2 other realms. Other than PvP, players can capture forts and castles. | 3D |
| Rising Force Online | Codemasters | 2006 - 2008 | Windows | Sci-Fi, Fantasy | Free play with cash shop | Set in a distant planet where magic and technology co-exist, emphasizes a 3-way race vs. race vs. race PVP system | 3D |
| ROSE Online | Gravity Interactive, Inc. | 2005 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free play with item purchases | - | 3D |
| Runes of Magic | Frogster | 2009-03-19 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free play with item purchases | - | 3D |
| Second Life | Linden Lab | 2003 | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux | Virtual world | Basic accounts are free, real world currency can be converted to in game currency. | Freeform with in-game build system. Players can sell their own virtual creations. | 3D |
| Secret of the Solstice | DNC Entertainment | 2008 | Windows | Fantasy | Free play with non-permanent item purchases | Set in the world of Xen, players complete quests and customize characters using branching job trees. | 3D |
| Sho Online | Lizard Interactive | 2008-06 | Windows | MMORPG Chinese Fantasy | Free to play, with a in-game item shop | A 3D Massive Warfare game based on a Chinese mythology in Yin-Zhou era. | 3D |
| Shot Online | OnNet Co. Ltd. | 2004 | Windows | Sports | Free to play with cash shop. | A sports MMO that revolves around golf. | 3D |
| Silkroad Online | Joymax Co., Ltd | 2004 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with cash shop. | A fantasy MMORPG set in the 7th century AD. | 3D |
| Starport: Galactic Empires | Playtechtonics | 2003 | Windows | Sci-Fi, Action | Free to play with an in-game shop | A strategic action space combat, trading and colonization game. | 2D |
| Tales of Pirates | MOLI | 2008-03-24 | Windows | Piracy | Free to play with item purchases | 3D | |
| There | There inc | 2003 | Windows | Virtual world | Basic accounts are free, Premium Membership is One-Time fee of $9.95 (Lifetime). real world currency can be converted to in game currency. | Freeform play / chat. Players can sell their own virtual creations. | 3D |
| Travian | Travian Games GmbH | Browser-based | Historical strategy | Additional game tools are available for a fee. | Players interact in a virtual world set roughly in Classical antiquity at the time of the Roman Empire. | Web | |
| Trickster Online | Ntreev Soft | 2003-04 (Korea) | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, with items available for purchase | 3D | |
| Twelve Sky | Aeria Games | 2007-09-24 | Windows | MMORPG | Free to play with items available for purchase. | Fantasy MMORPG, medieval-styled | 3D |
| Voyage Century Online | Snail Game | 2006-12-22 | Windows | Historical nautical | Free play with items available for purchase | Set in the 17th century and features accurate historical representations of several coastal cities. | 3D |
| War of Legends | Jagex | 2010 | Adobe Flash | Fantasy MMORTS | Free to play, with items and gameplay enhancements available for purchase on website | MMORTS with a historical Chinese mythological theme. | 2D |
| WonderKing Online | NDOORS Interactive | 2009-06-19 | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Free to play, with items and gameplay enhancements available for purchase on website | Action RPG elements, quests, party quests, and guild quests. | 2D |
| Yulgang | IGG | 2005 | Windows | MMORPG | Free play with items available for purchase | Based on a Korean comic of the same name. |
Optional paid subscriptions
These MMOGs offer optional additional game content through paid subscription, but are otherwise free to play.
| Developer(s) | Release date | Required OS | Genre | Payment | Synopsis | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Wars | BW Team | 2006 | Browser-based | Post-apocalypse MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | Become a vampire and fight with others in the last city in the world. | Web |
| Club Penguin | Disney and New Horizon Interactive | August 28, 2005 | Browser-based (flash-based) | Chat | Free or premium (paid) accounts available, premium accounts allow purchasing items and customization for the avatar and the avatar's living quarters. | Players play mini games to earn coins to spend on things for their character or house | 2D |
| Forumwarz | Crotch Zombie Productions | February 2008 | Browser based | Multiplayer browser game, Strategy | Free play | RPG parodying internet culture | Web |
| Free Realms | SOE San Diego | April 28, 2009 | Windows, PlayStation 3 | Fantasy MMO Adventure game | Free to play with optional monthly subscription for extra content; special items available for purchase with secondary in-game currency purchased with real money | Fantasy world designed to be a family friendly environment | 3D |
| Furcadia | Dragon's Eye Productions | December 16, 1996 | Windows, Third party Mac support | 2D Isometric Chat and Socializing online game. | Free-play available but payment options such as purchasing "Digos". Digos include premium avatars, in-game wings of several types, and other customizable features. Players may purchase 'Silver Sponsorships', which provide a number of game-enhancing abilities and features | Community-centric chat and Fantasy Role-Play based Anthropomorphic game with user-created content. | 2D |
| Horseland | Horseland LLC | 1998 | Internet | Chat | Free to play. Optional subscription to pay for own stables and other privileges. | An online community where players can raise horses and dogs. | |
| Knight Online | MGame Corporation | 2004 | Windows | Medieval war | Some servers are free to play | 3D | |
| OGame | Gameforge Productions | October 15, 2007 | Browser-based | Science-fiction strategy | The free-to-play version is advertising-based. Paid subscriptions and premium benefits are also available. | Build and maintain a galactic empire. | Web |
| NEO Shifters | Frima Studio | 2007 | Browser-based | Science-fiction strategy | Free-to-play game with optional subscription. | Players choose their robot faction and fight for resources. | 2D |
| Pirates of the Caribbean Online | Disney | October 31, 2007 | Windows, Mac OS | Piracy | Can play free, though paying option offers numerous more upgrades and features. | Players create their own pirate, do quests, interact with others, follow a similar storyline from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. | 3D |
| Puzzle Pirates | Three Rings Design | December 8, 2003 | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | Piracy | Some servers require a monthly subscription to play on, while others are free but require micro-transactions for some items. (Note that even the monthly subscription servers can be paid for via micro-transactions, without direct cash payment.) | Players perform tasks as pirates by playing a number of puzzle-style mini-games. | |
| Roblox | Roblox Corporation | March 23, 2004 | Windows, ActiveX | Building game | Free online building game, where players can could build and program with a simplified version of Lua. | Players have a choice to build places or play games others have made. | 3D |
| RuneScape | Jagex | 2001 | Java (applet) | Medieval fantasy, MMORPG | Free play or paid accounts available, paid accounts have access to more skills, areas, weapons, and quests. | Features a vast array of skills, quests, and mini-games. | 3D/web |
| Rubies of Eventide | Mnemosyne, LLC | 2003 | Windows | Medieval fantasy | Free play or paid accounts available, with server priority given to the latter | Players can join different servers according to their play style: RP, PvP or normal play. | 3D |
| Shattered Galaxy | KRU Interactive | 2001 | Windows | MMORTS | Free play or paid accounts available, with gameplay benefits to paying accounts. | Command a squad of up to 12 air or ground units in faction vs. faction warfare with as many as 20+ teammates. | 2.5D |
| Tibia | CipSoft GmbH | 1997 | Windows, Linux | Fantasy | Free to play with restricted content. Can upgrade to a "Premium Account" for full content. | Character development based on killing monsters and (optionally) doing quests and fighting other players. | 2D |
| Toontown Online | Walt Disney Internet Group | June 2, 2003 | Windows, Mac OS X | Cartoon | F2P, Free to play. Players can purchase membership to unlock items, clothing, neighborhoods, etc. | Disney's Toon Town Online is a 3D child-friendly environment where players take on the rules of cartoon characters in a battle against 'The Evil Cogs'. Complete Toontasks to earn weapon upgrades such as cakes and water squirters. | 3D |
| Wurm Online | Mojang Specifications OneTooFree AB Sunsplash Creations | 2006 | Browser-based | Medieval fantasy MMORPG | Free or premium (paid) accounts available | Community-centric fantasy MMORPG that strives to emulate real life in a medieval fantasy setting. | 3D |
Free play in open or closed beta
These MMOGs are free to play. They are still in beta, or development stage.
| Developer(s) | Release date | Required OS | Genre | Synopsis | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NeoSteam | JoyImpact | RELEASED... | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | A Steampunk fantasy game. | 3D |
| Phoenix Dynasty Online | Object Software | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | A fantasy MMORPG incorporated with ancient Chinese philosophy of five elements. Players can learn up to 30 skills and make powerful equipment by themselves. | 2D | |
| Wyvern | Cabochon Technologies | 2001 | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux | Fantasy MMORPG | A Crossfire and NetHack inspired game where players take on the mantle of adventurer and battle monsters in their quest to be welcomed into the Hall of Fame. | 2D |
| Zu Online | ONWIND Digital | 2008 (Open Beta) | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | Based on a Chinese novel. Cartoonish, cell-shaded graphics. Features flight, pets, guilds, quests, PvP, PvE, and daily events. | 3D |
| Earth Eternal | Sparkplay Media | 2009 (Open Beta) | Windows | Fantasy MMORPG | A browser-based furry MMORPG with cartoonish graphics, it's free to play but with additional pay for bonuses. | 3D |
See also
- List of MMOGs
- List of MMORPGs
- List of multiplayer browser games