James Crosby
@mmofolklorist.com
Blogging about MMO history and preservation: https://mmofolklorist.com/
Author of The MMO Folklorist's Guide To Galaxies: https://mmofolklorist.itch.io/galaxiesthebook
Second MMO Folklorist Guide coming soon™
Author of The MMO Folklorist's Guide To Galaxies: https://mmofolklorist.itch.io/galaxiesthebook
Second MMO Folklorist Guide coming soon™
Pinned
James Crosby
@mmofolklorist.com
· Feb 7
Did you know there's a whole (totally unofficial) book about the beloved MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies?
Well, there is. I wrote it. It's called The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies.
And you can read it for free by heading to:
mmofolklorist.itch.io/galaxiestheb...
Well, there is. I wrote it. It's called The MMO Folklorist's Guide to Galaxies.
And you can read it for free by heading to:
mmofolklorist.itch.io/galaxiestheb...
Reposted by James Crosby
Magazine advertising for Everquest by 989 Studios & Sony Computer Entertainment in the issue #7 of PC Accelerator, in March 1999
November 5, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Magazine advertising for Everquest by 989 Studios & Sony Computer Entertainment in the issue #7 of PC Accelerator, in March 1999
Always find it super interesting how MMO servers can organically develop communities with their own personalities.
Running flashpoints on multiple servers for this Galactic Season has given me a lot of food for thought in recent weeks. I go over my current impressions in this blog post: #SWTOR
Flashpointing on Different Servers
One of the major reasons I've really been enjoying the current Galactic Season is that it's gotten me back into pugging. I've enjoyed doing ...
swtorcommando.blogspot.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Always find it super interesting how MMO servers can organically develop communities with their own personalities.
Reposted by James Crosby
So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
The Video Game History Expansion Pack – Pitch your story
Today I’m putting my money where my mouth is and launching a new project — a book focused on game history outside of the usual North American perspectives.
crpgbook.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 11:11 PM
So, today I'm announcing a new book project... and doing a call for papers: crpgbook.wordpress.com/2025/10/31/t...
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
It's an anthology of video game history outside the usual US perspective - an accessible & exciting panorama of different realities - and I'll pay 300 USD per article.
Please share :)
Reposted by James Crosby
From crime sims to horse girl games, here are 10 MMOs that took a gaming theme and turned it into a full-fledged MMO:
Perfect Ten: MMOs that adapted specific video game genres
massivelyop.com
October 29, 2025 at 3:09 PM
From crime sims to horse girl games, here are 10 MMOs that took a gaming theme and turned it into a full-fledged MMO:
Shocked and saddened by the New World news. Cruel. Shameful. Completely unnecessary.
Wishing the best for the passionate, talented people who just lost their jobs.
Wishing the best for the passionate, talented people who just lost their jobs.
October 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Shocked and saddened by the New World news. Cruel. Shameful. Completely unnecessary.
Wishing the best for the passionate, talented people who just lost their jobs.
Wishing the best for the passionate, talented people who just lost their jobs.
Huge thanks to @thevideogamelibrary.org and the good folks at CRC Press for sorting me out with a copy of this very big and very essential book.
Even if you've read Bartle's original edition of Designing Virtual Worlds, you need to check out this expanded Second Edition.
Eagerly awaiting Vol. 2...
Even if you've read Bartle's original edition of Designing Virtual Worlds, you need to check out this expanded Second Edition.
Eagerly awaiting Vol. 2...
New BOOK SPOTLIGHT 📚
"Designing Virtual Worlds: Volume 1"
👉 thevideogamelibrary.substack.com/p/book-spotl...
Submitted by: @mmofolklorist.com
#GameDev #GameDevelopment #CRCPress @seanconnelly.bsky.social #Booksky #Gaming #VideoGames
"Designing Virtual Worlds: Volume 1"
👉 thevideogamelibrary.substack.com/p/book-spotl...
Submitted by: @mmofolklorist.com
#GameDev #GameDevelopment #CRCPress @seanconnelly.bsky.social #Booksky #Gaming #VideoGames
BOOK SPOTLIGHT - Designing Virtual Worlds: Volume 1
Richard A. Bartle (2025); CRC Press; Game Development
thevideogamelibrary.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Huge thanks to @thevideogamelibrary.org and the good folks at CRC Press for sorting me out with a copy of this very big and very essential book.
Even if you've read Bartle's original edition of Designing Virtual Worlds, you need to check out this expanded Second Edition.
Eagerly awaiting Vol. 2...
Even if you've read Bartle's original edition of Designing Virtual Worlds, you need to check out this expanded Second Edition.
Eagerly awaiting Vol. 2...
Reposted by James Crosby
Halloween festivities across the MMO world, 2025 edition - we're rounding up all the MMO Halloween events we can find (and adding as we go!)
October 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Halloween festivities across the MMO world, 2025 edition - we're rounding up all the MMO Halloween events we can find (and adding as we go!)
Reposted by James Crosby
Perfect Ten: The best MMOs for the year-round Halloween season
Perfect Ten: The best MMOs for the year-round Halloween season
massivelyop.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Perfect Ten: The best MMOs for the year-round Halloween season
Reposted by James Crosby
From WoW killers that never materialized to waiting on MMOs that still haven't launched, here are 10 things that haven't changed about the MMORPG genre since 2015
Perfect Ten: 10 things that haven’t changed about the MMORPG genre since 2015
massivelyop.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:05 PM
From WoW killers that never materialized to waiting on MMOs that still haven't launched, here are 10 things that haven't changed about the MMORPG genre since 2015
Reposted by James Crosby
New Release - Runescape - The Official Handbook (2006) [PC]
Runescape - The Official Handbook (2006) [PC]
Runescape - The Official Handbook (2006)
Platform: PC
www.retromags.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM
New Release - Runescape - The Official Handbook (2006) [PC]
Reposted by James Crosby
September 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by James Crosby
Xfire – that is, Xf1re – is back to serve up some nostalgia to the old-school gaming social community
Xfire – that is, Xf1re – is back to serve up some nostalgia to the old-school gaming social community
massivelyop.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Xfire – that is, Xf1re – is back to serve up some nostalgia to the old-school gaming social community
Reposted by James Crosby
Here's a very old screenshot from Shenmue Online. Though there's a lot that remains unknown about the unreleased MMO, the locations and setting scream Shenmue to us. Maybe one day we'll learn more about this strange chapter of Shenmue's history!
#ThrowbackThursday #SEGA
#LetsGetShenmue4
#ThrowbackThursday #SEGA
#LetsGetShenmue4
September 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Here's a very old screenshot from Shenmue Online. Though there's a lot that remains unknown about the unreleased MMO, the locations and setting scream Shenmue to us. Maybe one day we'll learn more about this strange chapter of Shenmue's history!
#ThrowbackThursday #SEGA
#LetsGetShenmue4
#ThrowbackThursday #SEGA
#LetsGetShenmue4
Reposted by James Crosby
Face of Mankind rogue server Empire Rising begins its open beta tomorrow
Face of Mankind rogue server Empire Rising begins its open beta tomorrow
massivelyop.com
August 8, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Face of Mankind rogue server Empire Rising begins its open beta tomorrow
The third Digimon MMO just got an update adding an official English translation. This YouTuber speculates that a global version of the game might be imminent.
Doesn't sound unreasonable given the current hype surrounding the IP (Time Stranger, Beatbreak, Alysion).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA48...
Doesn't sound unreasonable given the current hype surrounding the IP (Time Stranger, Beatbreak, Alysion).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA48...
Digimon Super Rumble in 2025 - Now English Translated
YouTube video by Gaming Hardcore
www.youtube.com
August 6, 2025 at 9:48 AM
The third Digimon MMO just got an update adding an official English translation. This YouTuber speculates that a global version of the game might be imminent.
Doesn't sound unreasonable given the current hype surrounding the IP (Time Stranger, Beatbreak, Alysion).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA48...
Doesn't sound unreasonable given the current hype surrounding the IP (Time Stranger, Beatbreak, Alysion).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA48...
My blog has been quiet for quite a few months now, but I've been secretly busy. I'll be announcing my new book at the end of August.
mmofolklorist.com/2025/08/01/a...
mmofolklorist.com/2025/08/01/a...
A short update — August 2025
Next MMO Folklorist book to be announced later this month.
mmofolklorist.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:49 PM
My blog has been quiet for quite a few months now, but I've been secretly busy. I'll be announcing my new book at the end of August.
mmofolklorist.com/2025/08/01/a...
mmofolklorist.com/2025/08/01/a...
Reposted by James Crosby
Getting close to wrapping up our filming week for the 20th Anniversary Guild Wars Documentary we’ve been commissioned for via @lostandfound.media.
I’m always fascinated by just the breadth of history that successful MMO’s bring to the table.
I’m always fascinated by just the breadth of history that successful MMO’s bring to the table.
July 23, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Getting close to wrapping up our filming week for the 20th Anniversary Guild Wars Documentary we’ve been commissioned for via @lostandfound.media.
I’m always fascinated by just the breadth of history that successful MMO’s bring to the table.
I’m always fascinated by just the breadth of history that successful MMO’s bring to the table.
Love this new piece from @sypster.bsky.social.
"I don't recall everything from the past two-plus decades of MMORPG gaming, but I suppose that means the times that do pop out at me were something very special indeed." MOP's Justin takes a trip down MMO memory lane...
Perfect Ten: 10 MMO memories that stick out the most in my mind
massivelyop.com
July 24, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Love this new piece from @sypster.bsky.social.
In light of the Hellraiser reception, can someone please give Gun Interactive permission to repurpose their tone-perfect Texas Chain Saw Massacre assets into a singleplayer title now?
July 22, 2025 at 3:46 PM
In light of the Hellraiser reception, can someone please give Gun Interactive permission to repurpose their tone-perfect Texas Chain Saw Massacre assets into a singleplayer title now?
Can't believe my favourite horror franchise is getting a game adaptation that looks *that* good. I am so ready for @hellraisergame.bsky.social to give me terrible, terrible nightmares.
July 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Can't believe my favourite horror franchise is getting a game adaptation that looks *that* good. I am so ready for @hellraisergame.bsky.social to give me terrible, terrible nightmares.
Snapshots of a different time. A website called 'Jedi Business', which specialised in the sale of Jedi characters in Star Wars Galaxies. Looks like they had pivoted hard into selling credits by the end of 2005 😬
July 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Snapshots of a different time. A website called 'Jedi Business', which specialised in the sale of Jedi characters in Star Wars Galaxies. Looks like they had pivoted hard into selling credits by the end of 2005 😬
Reposted by James Crosby
Digging into a Russian CD-ROM full of bootleg and cracked games from the late 90s and early 2000s, and found a juicy bit of SEGA action with... PHANTASY STAR ONLINE.
This appears to be an eng-translated, offline and online version of the PC port of PSO that was released in Japan only in 2001.
🧵
This appears to be an eng-translated, offline and online version of the PC port of PSO that was released in Japan only in 2001.
🧵
July 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Digging into a Russian CD-ROM full of bootleg and cracked games from the late 90s and early 2000s, and found a juicy bit of SEGA action with... PHANTASY STAR ONLINE.
This appears to be an eng-translated, offline and online version of the PC port of PSO that was released in Japan only in 2001.
🧵
This appears to be an eng-translated, offline and online version of the PC port of PSO that was released in Japan only in 2001.
🧵
Big refresh to my list of rogue servers for dead MMOs. Only a couple of new games added, but lots of updated links and new servers for the 68(!) games on there.
mmofolklorist.com/2022/07/25/t...
mmofolklorist.com/2022/07/25/t...
The Complete List Of Rogue Servers For Dead MMOs
Every private server, emulator, and volunteer project that’s bringing your favourite MMO back to life.
mmofolklorist.com
July 20, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Big refresh to my list of rogue servers for dead MMOs. Only a couple of new games added, but lots of updated links and new servers for the 68(!) games on there.
mmofolklorist.com/2022/07/25/t...
mmofolklorist.com/2022/07/25/t...
This is a well-measured take. The industry is clearly shifting, and, even as someone who loves live service games, it's hard to argue that it will probably be for the better.
"The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is still going to dazzle a lot of people," writes Rob Fahey.
"But it's increasingly clear that the era when almost every game had to have a live-service component in order to get green lit is now over."
www.gamesindustry.biz/has-the-live...
"But it's increasingly clear that the era when almost every game had to have a live-service component in order to get green lit is now over."
www.gamesindustry.biz/has-the-live...
Has the live-service dream crashed back down to earth?
For almost a decade, live-service features have been de rigeur for most games – but with live-service projects being cancelled or pivoted to single player, it a
www.gamesindustry.biz
July 18, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This is a well-measured take. The industry is clearly shifting, and, even as someone who loves live service games, it's hard to argue that it will probably be for the better.