5 Non Fantasy Massive Multiplayer Games

Elves and Dwarves. Goblins and Trolls. These seem to be the foundation of the most popular Massive Multiplayer Online Games. If you're tired of the same old sword and sorcery seen in games like World of Warcraft and Everquest, you might want to check out these games. All provide the same social game elements that make Massive Multiplayer Online Games popular, but without all of the chain mail and magic wands.

Anarchy Online

http://www.anarchyonline.com

Free/$14.95 per month

Anarchy Online is a Science Fiction based game that features 14 different classes to choose from. Anarchy Online also features a two-tier subscription model. The first tier is free to play and allows players to access the initial game components but not the content from the later expansion packs. The free version is advertising supported but Anarchy Online does a good job of making the ad content seamless enough to not ruin the experience. They do this by placing their ads on billboards seen on the streets of the game's cities. The second pricing tier is $14.95 per month and provides access to all expansion content.

City of Heroes/City of Villains

http://www.cityofheroes.com

$14.99 per month

City of Heroes and City of Villains allows users to play as super heroes or super villains. One subscription gives users access to both games. The character creation portion of this game is the real star, featuring thousands of combinations to fully customize your hero or villain to your liking. Heroes and Villains each have five classes or archetypes to choose from with a number of powers within each archetype. There are also two unlockable classes per side for players who have leveled a character to 50. The game's producers have also done a good job of giving their world a complex back story, complete with memorial statues to fallen super heroes.

WWII Online: Battleground Europe

http://www.battlegroundeurope.com/

$14.99 per month

Battleground Europe is a Massive Multiplayer Game set during the fighting in World War II. Players can choose to be part of the British, French, or German armies, navies, or air forces. Each side allows players to choose from a variety of historically modeled vehicles and weapons. Battleground Europe is a player vs. player driven game with Axis players in a constant battle with Ally players to gain ground in the continuing battle for Europe.

Eve Online

http://www.eveonline.com/

$14.95 per month

Eve Online is a ship-based science fiction massive multiplayer game that features both player vs. player and player vs. environment content. This game is unique in that you never venture outside your ship. Everything in this game is fully focused on building and upgrading your ships, ship based skills, and ship related buildings. It is also unique in that the skill training system operates in real-time, even when the player is offline. If player vs. player content is not your cup of tea, however, this game may not be for you. There is quite a bit of player vs. environment content but this is primarily to get players familiar with the mechanics of in-game combat. To advance fully in Eve Online, you will eventually have to engage in player vs. player combat.

Star Wars Galaxies

http://www.starwarsgalaxies.com

$14.99 per month

Star Wars Galaxies is a massive multiplayer game set in the universe of George Lucas' Star Wars saga of films. The game features 9 classes to choose from and allows the player to choose to ally with the Empire, the Rebel Alliance, or remain independent. Additionally, Star Wars Galaxies features a space combat game that allows players to take control of many of the ships seen in the movies. While the mechanics of Star Wars Galaxies are seen as simplistic to many seasoned gamers, the real appeal of this game is the ability to adventure within the numerous locales seen within the Star Wars series of movies, books, and television shows. Players will run missions in such familiar places as Mos Eisley Cantina, Naboo, and Jabba the Hut's palace.