Celtic Heroes
One time when I was little I download a MMO RPG called Celtic Heroes on my ipod touch fourth generation. I have no idea how I found it, and probably only downloaded just because I thought it was cool since it had knights. This was one of the first games I ever had on the ipod, other than Pocket God and doodle jump. This was the first ever multiplayer game I ever had period after poptropica. Still, it opened a door into online gaming and its dynamics I still cant put out of my mind today.
The most fun I probably had was running around completing the main questline, noticing a person going to the same places and fighting the same enemies I was, then helping them fight an enemy they were in combat with. They would say thanks, I would invite them to a party, and just like that I had an online friend. We would trade quest items, useful gear, and event items on our downtime. Then try and get an idea the next time we could get on.
My parents were total hypochondriacs about me being groomed online. They had some merit in this, but I played the game anyways and didnt reveal too much. But it was strange, characters in single player games could have characterization, but you could never go past that. But on this little mmo, there was an entire person on the other side of the screen. It was so fascinating to interact with other real people as characters inside the game.
On top of that, there were entire social dynamics within the game. Cosmetic items, dueling ranks, and clan positions all measured your clout. Level 200 characters riding around with insane gear on mounts that costed real money were big fish that you tried to befriend. And as you leveled up, lower leveled characters would talk to you and ask you to basically chaperone on quests. There were even beggars at the main fast travel points, and you could see the big fish toss them a few coins. Isnt that crazy? Online begging.
Theres got to be some type of insight into the psychology that develops in games like these. In other mmos where economies are totally player ran, where bases can be built, or even games where the map can be changed due to player activity must have even more complex dynamics.
I just find it fascinating how small worlds are created online, and something like a culture develops within them. Stuff like minecraft servers developing servers have similar phenomenon, which I really do find incredible. I think this where videogames really shine, creating fantasy worlds that are genuine, lived in and believable. The only single player games ive felt come close are the red dead games, fallout new vegas, and cyberpunk 2077 (a little bit). But I dont know, maybe those are the only games capable feeling that I actually enjoyed or maybe I havent played enough games.
In terms of an online mmo game, Ive never really found another game that matches Celtic Heroes. Nothing has the same feeling of a wide open world, with the usual fantasy quest and storylines that serve as worldbuilding while simultaneously having that feeling of a real world populated with real people. And, similar to the real world, as you go about your business you meet and socialize naturally, grouping up and questing together. Eventually joining each others clan and keeping in contact, meeting up for big events. Really like, in my opinion, a mini world.
Celtic Heroes actually is still around, but I lost my original character a long time ago. Recently I made a new character, but apparently I did so on a dead server with maybe 5 people online at a time. And you cant switch servers like I think you used to be able to, and sadly I dont think I have the patience to start over on a new server again. Still, I really enjoyed that sweet little game and would still recommend it with all earnestness.