Time travel is often used in MMOs, but never implemented to its full potential.

We have some ideas how this could change in the future.

If theres one plot gadget we dont see very often in MMORPGs, its time travel.

One solid example of an MMORPG that steps fairly close to the time travel continuum is FuncomsThe Secret World.

Just think how awesome an MMORPG inspired byDoctor Who(the defunctWorlds in Timeexcluded) orQuantum Leapwould be.

An MMORPG where were tasked with diving back into various timelines and seeing new worlds.

Glimpses of modern day in a totally different universe.

Awesome time travel portals that make whoosh noises.

Saving characters who have an impact on future quests.

Traveling back and forth for funsies once weve finished gearing out our characters.

Role-playing in our favorite time periods.

Fighting hulking prehistoric beasts in one raid tier and mutant space ninjas (because why not?)

Setting up housing in our favorite zones that are 100% different from one another.

Most people play MMORPGs to be part of a living, populated world.

Thats why our central hubs tend to shift and change with every expansion.

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Where would that hub exist?

Which world gets the main hub?

InThe Secret World, for example, the game world is split up into various branches a.k.a.

areas that are incorporated into the story and leveling experience.

The main hub of the game is the Agartha map that looks like a giant tree.

Players can use the map to go from branch to branch to travel between different areas.

Theres also the factor of progression.

Its a known fact that any MMORPG needs an endgame thats extremely solid.

These days, players spend one-tenth of the time leveling that they do experiencing endgame.

That percentage is even smaller when it comes to hardcore endgame players.

And that ties into the final mechanical issue that would likely come up in a time travel-focused MMORPG.

Likewise, a bow user could easily upgrade to a high-tech crossbow as they advance through time.

the ability to raise the dead versus the ability to summon robots).

This would also make it easier to balance each class.

The MMORPG is a medium that can literally go anywhere with its mechanics and plot elements.

In a genre that is very saturated with copy cats, time travel is just what the Doctor ordered.