List of free massively multiplayer online games

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
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.	2D
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-seen features such as weather which affects gameplay.	3D
IVAO	Erwin Lion and Morten Hansen	December 16, 1998	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	February 10, 2002	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	November 30, 1997	Windows	Action	Free to play	Players fly, fight, and play a variety of games with spaceships.	2D
Urban Dead	Kevan Davis	July, 2005	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	December 24, 2008	Windows		Free play, public beta		3D
VATSIM	n/a	July, 2001 (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	June, 2001	Windows	MMORPG, Science-fiction	Normally subscription based, currently in free-play until Jan 2009 (where it may be extended again) but with advertisements	Two factions fight for control of the distant desert planet Rubi-Ka.	3D
Cal Ripken's Real Baseball	Netamin	2004	Windows	MMOSG, Sports, Baseball	Free, advertisements as billboards in stadiums.	Home and away teams try to pitch and outhit each other to win.	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
Shadowbane	Ubisoft	2003	Windows, Mac OS	Medieval fantasy MMORPG	Advertising when players exit the game or their characters die.	Player can do PvP matches, create a guild, and build a city to make an empire.	3D
Utopia	Mehul Patel	1999	Browser-based	Medieval fantasy strategy	Free play with advertisements on top and right side of browser.		Web

Free play with micro-transactions

These MMOGs are free to play, but players may optionally purchase in-game items or currency with real money.

	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	October 3, 2006	Windows	Medieval fantasy MMORPG	Free play, players may purchase in-game currency
Ashen Empires	Iron Will Games	March 10, 2003	Windows	Medieval fantasy MMORPG	Free play, but most parts of the game world have certain skills locked and experience points reduced unless a prepaid subscription is purchased. Expansion packs, items, and bonuses can also be purchased.	Players explore a world which includes various quests. Emphasis on trade system.	2D
Atlantica Online	NDOORS Interactive	October 30, 2008	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 and Dance Dance Revolution.	3D
Bang Howdy	Three Rings Design	December 1, 2006	Windows, Mac OS, Linux	Wild west MMO	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, or purchased with real money; however, you cannot trade unless you have spent some real money.	A collection of wild-west themed games for 2-4 players. Guilds and guild competitions.	3D
BOTS	Acclaim		Windows	Robot fighting MMO	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, or purchased with real money.		3D
Cabal Online	ESTSoft	2006	Windows	Sci-fi MMORPG	Free to play with cash shop.	An MMORPG with a combo battle system.	3D
Combat Arms	Nexon	July 11, 2008	Windows	First-person shooter	Free to play with non-permanent item purchases.	A military first-person shooter with character customization and weapon mods.	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	January 6, 2006	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
DECO Online	Rocksoft	2007	Windows	MMORPG	Free-play, with item purchases	Combo based combat. Players can earn fame, enhance items, and change job.	3D
Drift City	NPLUTO	2007	Windows	Racing	Free to play with an item shop.	Players progress through a linear mission system with multiplayer races.	3D
EGO	Punch Entertainment, Inc.	September, 2008	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.	Customize your super-avatar, meet people and play ego-specific games using your avatar.	2D
Entropia Universe	MindArk	January 30, 2003	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	February, 2003	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	December, 2007	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
Fiesta Online	Ons On Soft	June, 2007	Windows	Fantasy MMORPG	Free play with non-permanent item purchases	Explore fantasy environment with many quests. Players can [[PvP].	3D
Forumwarz	Crotch Zombie Productions	February, 2008	Browser based	Multiplayer browser game, Strategy	Free play with item purchases	RPG parodying internet culture	Web
Gaia Online	-	February, 2003	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	Beta-2003 Official-2005	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
Habbo	Sulake Ltd.	September, 2001	Browser-based	Chat	Option to buy Credits which can be redeemed for 'furni' (items) and 'Habbo Club' subscription.	Customise your own character and create hotel rooms for you and other people to visit.	2D
Hattrick	Extralives	August, 1997	Browser-based	Sports game	Optional "supporter service" and "mobile service"	Players manage simulated soccer teams to compete with others.	Web
Kingdom of Loathing	Asymmetric Publications	February, 2003	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	September 18, 2008	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	February 18, 2008	Windows	Action MMORPG	Free to play with cash shop	Action RPG with emphasis on combo, storytelling and PvP.	3D
Mabinogi	Nexon	June, 2004	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	April 29, 2003	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	January 1, 2001	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
Navy Field	SD Enternet	February 8, 2006	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		Windows	Sports game	Free play with item purchases	Anime style, arcade golf game.	3D
Perfect World	Beijing Perfect World	July, 2005	Windows	MMORPG	Free play with item purchases	Players can fly game world based on Chinese mythology.	3D
PoxNora	Octopi, Inc.	August, 2006	Windows	Real-time strategy, Fantasy	Free play with item purchases
Puzzle Pirates	Three Rings Design	December 8, 2003	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	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.	2D
Rakion	softnyx	2005	Windows	Third-person shooter	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	Free play with special items available for purchase		3D
Regnum Online	NGD Studios	2007	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	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	Triggersoft	2005	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
Shaiya	Sonovaslag Entertainment	Unavailable	Windows	Medieval fantasy MMORPG	Free to play, with premium items available to purchase.	Medieval combat and trading with PvP-centric gameplay.	3D
Shot Online	OnNet Co. Ltd.	2004	Windows	Sports	Free to play with cash shop.	A sports MMO that is revolved around the sport of golf.	3D
Silkroad Online	Joymax Co., Ltd		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		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	April 2003 (Korea)	Windows	Fantasy MMORPG	Free to play, with items available for purchase		2D
Voyage Century Online	Snail Game	December 22, 2006	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
Yulgang	IGG	2005	Windows	MMORPG	Free play with items available for purchase	Based on a Korean comic of the same name.
zOMG!	Gaia Online	2008	Windows, Mac OS, Linux	Virtual world MMORPG	Free play with items available for purchase	Anime-based with links to Gaia Online world.	Layered 2D

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
Club Penguin	Disney and Rocketsnail Games	August 28, 2005	Internet	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
Dofus	Ankama Games	September 2004	Windows, Mac OS, Linux	Medieval fantasy MMORPG	Extra features available to subscribers		2D
Dungeon Runners	NCSoft	2007	Windows	Fantasy MMORPG	Free to play, with an optional monthly subscription for extra content	Satirical Roguelike multiplayer RPG with randomly-generated, instanced dungeons.	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 cusomizable 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. Option to pay to own your own stables and other privileges.	An online community where you 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
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 microtransactions for some items. (Note that even the monthly subscription servers can be paid for via microtransactions, without direct cash payment.)	Players perform tasks as pirates by playing a number of puzzle-style mini games.
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.	The game is based around getting stats to 99 as well as completing quests.	3D
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 playstyle: RP, PvP or normal play.	3D
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	Cartoon	No longer free to play. You can purchase membership to unlock items, clothing, neighbourhoods, etc.	Disney's Toon Town Online is a 3D child-friendly environment where you play as 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
Battlefield Heroes	EA Digital Illusions CE		Windows	Third-person shooter	Features cartoon-stlyle graphics. The player will be able to rank up and unlock new abilities and guns.	3D
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

See also

• List of MMOGs
• List of MMORPGs
• List of multiplayer browser games