Raph Koster, known for his work in creating one of the most enduring MMORPGs, Ultima Online, has shared his perspective on the future of MMOs. According to Koster, the main factor that predicts player retention in a massive online game is the ability to forge friendships within the game environment. “The number one predictor of whether people stay in an MMO is the friends they make, and if their friends are there,” Koster stated, emphasizing that the social experience is fundamental to the longevity of any MMO.
Everything is much more fun with friends
Koster emphasizes the importance of designing games that promote social development and community building, as he states, “content does not last forever.” Attracted by nostalgia and their emotional connection to past experiences in Ultima Online, many players return not only for the available content but for the shared experience they have with friends. “People return to the same public park not because there is more park to see, but because they want to enjoy it with their friends,” he explained.
In this context, Koster is currently working on a new MMO titled Stars Reach, which promises to modernize the genre with a focus on deeply simulated worlds and a player-driven economy. This new project is being developed by his studio, Playable Worlds, and Koster hopes it will satisfy the “huge appetite” of players for more immersive parallel worlds, similar to those seen in Sword Art Online and Animal Crossing.
Long-term players can anticipate an MMO that not only offers content but is designed from the ground up to facilitate and enrich social relationships, ensuring that Stars Reach is not just another game, but a space where community and friendship can thrive.
