4 highly anticipated MMOs that likely won't hit full release in 2025

Modified Jan 01, 2025 17:26 IST

These MMOs may have hype behind them, but don't expect a full launch in 2025 for any of them (Image via Square Enix)

So many MMOs are in development right now, and arguably, some of them have immense hype behind them. Some of the games on the way have been in the works for years, or even longer than a decade. Nonetheless, while something on this list could drop in 2025, we aren’t holding our collective breath on that. Instead, these likely will drop sometime in 2026, or maybe later.

However, this doesn’t include expansions for various MMOs, either. We know, for example, that World of Warcraft Midnight is coming, and will get an official announcement later this year. We also know in a year or so we’ll get another Final Fantasy XIV expansion; instead, let's focus on other games.

Note: This list is based on the author's opinion and in no particular order.

MMOs in development that likely won’t launch in 2025

As far as we know, these MMOs will certainly not launch in 2025. Depending on the development schedules, this could change, but it’s not likely. Some of these games have been in development for an incredibly long time, and fans may not believe they’ll ever launch.

Final Fantasy XIV Mobile
Star Citizen
Ashes of Creation
The Quinfall

1) Final Fantasy XIV

Get ready to fight Ifrit on the go! (Image via Square Enix)

Square Enix and Lightspeed Studios are coming together to create Final Fantasy XIV Mobile, an upcoming version of the PC/console MMO. However, this version is going to be a blast from the past and will be focused on the A Realm Reborn content. It’s currently being tested in China and hopefully will come west to test in 2025.

It’s interesting to see a full PC MMO optimized for a mobile experience, control layout and all. It also reportedly will use the classes available at launch. Although we don't know at this time if they will have any Quality of Life changes in the game from later expansions, we do have an interview in the works that may shed some light on this.

2) Star Citizen

Star Citizen is a vast, intriguing space opera (Image via Cloud Imperium Games)

Star Citizen has been in development for 12 years. Depending on who you talk to, this space-flight sim title made enormous strides, or there’s really nothing to show for over $700M invested.

We do know that there are several ships in-game you can buy, and that you can travel around among the stars in it. However, it’s a game that never seems to be too far from controversy, as the last few months have shown, with layoffs from the top down.

Currently, the game is in Alpha 4.0 for this upcoming sandbox space opera. Despite it being something that would make me nauseous to play, I’m still hopeful it comes out and delivers on its very lofty ambitions and plans. There are many players who have already dove into the alpha and invested both time and money - hopefully something comes of it in the next few years.

3) Ashes of Creation

If nothing else, Ashes of Creation is ambitious. (Image via Intrepid Studios)

Speaking of MMOs that have been around almost as long as my career, Ashes of Creation. The game has been in development since 2015-16, and again, it’s a game with massive scope and plans. The idea is that players will be able to control the political landscape of this world, which is quite exciting.

This is done through the Node System, which can come in a variety of forms. Players can control these nodes, from Castles down to towns. In theory, players can control these nodes, and create vassals of the weaker nodes, things of that nature. It’s a fascinating concept, but only time will tell if it leads to anything that the developers have promised.

4) The Quinfall

Time will tell if The Quinfall lives up to its promises (Image via Vawraek Technology)

The notion of The Quinfall being the “largest MMO ever” is something that certainly catches my eye. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing, though — it could create some truly negative things like a lack of balance. This game is supposed to enter a Closed Beta later in January 2025, through the developers, Vawreak Technology.

It received several complaints early in its life for using mostly Unity assets, but this was revealed by the developers to be a way to focus on the gameplay for now, instead of designing all the graphics at that point in time.

MMO fans will know before long, as it is supposed to enter Early Access on January 24, 2025 - according to Steam. It will be interesting to see if the claims it boasts are unrealistic or if the 2,016 square kilometer map winds up being something worth exploring.

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Edited by Angad Sharma