Looking For New Friends? Here's The MMOs With The Best Communities In 2024

Everyone looks for something different when they're browsing through what MMORPG they should play next. We already have lists based on graphics, story, or even PC specs, but we all know the thing that makes MMOs a compelling genre sometimes are the communities built around a particular game.

Whether you just like a friendly experience as you check out something new, or you're looking to make some lifelong friends, MMOs give you that opportunity if you're willing to put in a little work of your own. In my list today, I'll be recommending some games that you should try out if you're all about the social aspect of the genre.

Turns out, players will put up with a lot of jank in a game IF the people they play the game with are worth it. In no particular order, here's a few that are "worth it."

(Sidebar: I really wanted to put The Elder Scrolls Online on this list, but I just couldn't. Being available on multiple platforms but still segregating your audience by platform is weird in 2024. I get why they may be stuck doing it, but it still sucks. The community is great, but it's also divided and honestly, ESO is the MMO I play the most when I just want to do some things alone, so it isn't exactly my preferred social MMO, but I'd understand if it made your personal list.)

Final Fantasy XIV

It's hard NOT to put FFXIV on this list. Being cross-platform but putting everyone on the same servers helps what is one of the largest MMORPG communities feel even larger. Add to that that the game is constantly nominated (and has won) "Best Community Support" awards, and it basically had to be on this list.

FFXIV's Mentor system also helps put experienced players and new players together to teach you how to play and to help you find communities in the game. Whether you're a raider, PvP player, crafter, role-player, or even just all about the fashion endgame, there's absolutely a group of like-minded players waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Hell, you can even go and search for your type of community before you even log in!

RuneScape

This recommendation actually applies to whatever version of RuneScape you feel like playing. RuneScape can certainly be played alone, but this is an MMO that really drives home benefits for playing with others.

Sometimes it's nice to just zone out with some Netflix on that second monitor and level up some RuneScape skills, and MANY play RuneScape this way. Other times, it's the perfect game to hop into Discord with buddies and roam the world. While the community is great, it can be really quiet in the early stretches for new players.

Ironman is personally my favorite mode to hop into if you're really looking for community help to get started in the mode.

I actually put RuneScape on this list, despite some not being thrilled with the game's community, for its "out of game" community. RuneScape players that have bonded over the game are the ones you'll likely jump from game to game with in the future or hang out with online even when not playing RuneScape.

EverQuest / EverQuest II

EverQuest and EverQuest 2 both make this list (and it's probably worth mentioning Lord of the Rings Online here, too) because I love their community. It's another one that extends beyond the MMORPGs themselves. With these games, I feel like the community almost HAS to be nice because the games are in-depth and older, so they have to treat you right to get you to stay.

You'll certainly find friends, a guild, and more social fun if you actually plan to play the game for an extended period. Given the age of these titles, you'll likely want to hit up players early to help you learn the sometimes steep learning curves.

Guild Wars 2

Sure, Guild Wars 2 has story, it has PvP, it has PvE, and all the other good stuff you want in an MMORPG, but I am going to focus on one single aspect of the community of ArenaNet's MMO: the fashion community. Simply, if you are all about glamor and fashion, that's the REAL end game in Guild Wars 2 and there are full communities focused on helping you get all the amazing looks you want.

I'll throw in another honorable mention here based on this same topic: Black Desert Online. I give the nod to Guild Wars 2, though, as the base game is free and the prices in Black Desert for some of the cash shop cosmetics tend to be priced higher.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

A galaxy far, far away always needs friends, and SWTOR is another MMO that maybe benefits the most from being a smaller community. The community latches on to new players that stick around and really guides them to keep them playing the game they love.

This is going to be the MMO for you to chose if you're particularly focused on PvE content like dungeons and raids. That's not to say that there isn't PvP, there is, but SWTOR's main shine are the class stories and the PvE dungeons and raids.

And guess what? That content really relies on groups, so it isn't hard to find friends if you're out there actually looking for them.

What about you? Is there an MMO big or small that you think just has the most amazing community of players? Let your fellow games know about it in the comments section.