Dark Age of Came lot

The act of killing another player in any MMO before DarkAgeof Camelot was, at best, shortsighted. Someone had stuff, you wanted that stuff, so you forcefully parted them from it. But Mythic Entertainment had a vision for a different kind of murder, one that included strategy, teamwork, and glory. Most MMOs were satisfied with petty killing. DarkAgeofCamelot, however, aspired to all-out war.

Introducing a structured form of player combat known as ‘Realm vs Realm,’ DarkAgeofCamelot laid the groundwork for a new kind of PVP. Three factions battle for control of various zones, establishing outposts that they have to protect from opposing forces. This open world approach to war necessitates strategy, as choosing when to attack is just as important as where. At the time, DarkAgeof Camelot’s player-driven battles were unparalleled in scope, creating all the drama and tension of a fantasy medieval war.

Not content to distinguish itself by focusing only on PVP, DarkAgeof Camelot also features a staggering 47 different classes. Each is unique to one faction, like wizards belonging to Albion, a faction drawing from Arthurian lore. Designed to excel in a very specific role, each class depends on others to offset its weaknesses. As a result, you are only ever as good as the players fighting alongside you. It’s a system that would become critical to the design of more modern MMOs.

Best dungeon: Darkness Falls is full of dangerous monsters and amazing loot, but its doors only open to the faction that holds the most territory. If ownership switches hands while one faction is inside, they can ambush the new owners.