The announcement of New Worlds final day is a wash of cold realization. The news of Ashes of Creation being cancelled is another sign. The MMO-PVP Genre isn't going to have a new place for players to skirmish.
Older MMOs with PVP options still exist and are still active but it's often a rough transition going backwards in the MMO space in regards to combat and learning mechanics. It should be a fun adventure but not many have the patience for learning new(or is it old?) things.
But the idea that there are no new options to consider leaves me with a sense of freedom. Now I don't have to commit as much hard drive space to a newer game, as they tend to always be 60-120 GB whereas older games are smaller in size while still providing a world worth exploring.
I've brushed upon this idea before but sticking to a steady but true platform and building in it just makes the foundation stronger for oneself and others trying it out. It's been a constant thought in my head that there is a 'resurgence' of old things (What's old is new again) as people (re)try an old game / platform out to determine if it is worth their time. If they see how active a platform is then more often than not they will decide to stay.
The ones that don't stay 'recede' back to the ether until they get a hankering for something similar to that newer, but shut down, genre and may come back again.
Instead of being a wanderer, why not make a foundation in a space that 'sort' of meets what that newer cancelled game offered?
It's difficult to hit every mark, trust me I've looked again and again after New Worlds shutdown announcement, but what is available is 'close enough' for me to fill my niche and scratch that itch.
The interesting thing about older online games that are still operational is that the community has a fondness and strength behind it while the developers actually listen to feedback and make changes that make sense WITH the playerbase instead of TO the playerbase.
So while any hope of another PVP focused MMO dwindles for the future, atleast I have alternatives that offer a smidge of what New World had or what Ashes of Creation could've offered.
Of course there is always returning to 'The MMO that shall not be named' but like most corporations/companies, they've burned any bridge or passion I once had for the story, the characters, and the lore due to a lack of care for the fans and their investment.
Things happen, beloved projects shut down but having alternatives and options should always be a priority in moments of 'drought'.
Thank you for reading.
Here's to a happy adventure in the 'old', but new to me, MMO space.