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Best MMO games: live a second life on console and PC
The best MMO games, also known as Massively Multiplayer Online games, set themselves apart from the crowd thanks to their nature. Playing one gives you a unique gameplay experience because not only are you offered an almost completely empty canvas to start with, but you’re also exploring and interacting with thousands of other players from all over the world in vast fictional worlds.
In essence, the best MMO games will let you lead an alternate life in an alternate version of yourself. You can create and customize your own avatar, which you can build through interactions, battling and leveling up. That’s while you’re doing things like meeting new people and going on new adventures, offering a sense of freedom and a taste of things you may never experience in your everyday life.
There’s a reason why the MMO games are well-loved. Even online giant Amazon is coming out with its own entry named New World, which takes place in the 17th century. Regardless of whether you’re looking for your first MMO, a new adventure to dive into, or in its popular variant, the MMORPG (RPG stands for Role Playing Game), we’ve collected the best MMO games for you to dig into.
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World of Warcraft
Let's face it, this was an obvious one. Blizzard's World of Warcraft has been going since around 2004 and it's been the reigning champion of the MMO genre for a long time. But, in that time, it's changed quite a lot.
World of Warcraft is one of the most successful and influential games in the genre, with new content frequently being added for a thriving, dedicated player base. If subscriber numbers look like they're wavering even slightly, you can be sure Blizzard will come out with another great expansion to corral everyone back into the fold and maybe bring some newbies with them.
Its latest expansion, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, has to be among the best expansions in its history, offering stunning visuals on top of excellent dungeons and a linear questing system as well as a whole slew of exciting new content.
World of Warcraft is kind of essential for anyone interested in the high fantasy MMORPG and we can’t see it being knocked from prominence any time soon.
You can download the game for free on the official website.
What can I play it on? PC
What’s the payment structure? Free trial up to level 20, then a monthly subscription fee
Planetside 2
Planetside 2 is a first-person shooter on a massive scale. If you're not interested in the kind of granular play offered by games like Black Desert Online, then this game's focus on all out war against other players might appeal to you.
The game revolves around three factions in a constant state of war. Players choose their faction and then spend their time attacking and defending bases on a huge map to remain ahead of the competition. One day you could be on the attack, the next you could be desperately defending. Either way you're always fighting.
Planetside 2 is now seven years old and, though it doesn't have quite the same popularity or player base as it once did, it offers something a little different to the rest of the MMOs on this list.
You can get going for free on the official site.
What can I play it on? PS4 and PC
What's the payment model? Free-to-play
Secret World Legends
Rather than a sprawling world with endless choice, Secret World Legends is an MMO which places a lot of focus on storytelling. If you're tired out by the usual high fantasy and space fare, this is a game which is set in a world very close to our own. Well, kind of. It's our world if cults, mythological creatures, crazy conspiracies and supernatural phenomenons were commonplace.
There's more than 100 hours of story to enjoy here and players are able to explore locations all over the world and take part in a range of missions to unlock the mysteries of the world.
While it's possible to play through the story on your own, you can also team up with others and adventure with players from across the world.
You can start your story via the official website or on Steam.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment model? Free-to-play
Guild Wars 2
If you're looking for player-versus-player combat then you should definitely give Guild Wars 2 some of your time. Whether you like fighting other players in contained structured modes or you'd be interested in fighting against hundreds across sprawling maps in World-versus-World mode, Guild Wars has you covered.
For those that don't enjoy the grinding that's traditionally involved in MMOs then Guild Wars 2 will also appeal – this is an accessible game and it doesn't try to copy World of Warcraft. The game's world is dynamic and player decisions have real consequences which promises a story that feels individual.
You can download the base game for free on the official site.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment structure? You can download the base game for free and then each expansion is buy-to-play
Lord of the Rings Online
Few fictional worlds are as perfect for the MMO treatment as Tolkein's Middle-earth. Sure, Frodo's adventure was thrilling, but we all know we could have one equally as exciting if we had the chance.
You get to choose between being a Human, Elf, Dwarf or Hobbit before you drop into Middle-earth and explore the locations you know and love with an intimacy that no other Lord of the Rings game has allowed.
You can expect to find the usual World of Warcraft style of questing here, alongside crafting mechanics and the ability to purchase and set up a home. Overall, it's a pretty standard MMORPG in terms of mechanics, but its setting really helps it stand out.
Though the game is free-to-play, there are expansions available for purchase which add to the game's story and introduce new items and mechanics. Even better for Tolkien fans: the storylines follow in line with the books.
You can fine the base game for free on the official site or Steam.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment model? Free-to-play, with purchasable DLC and optional subscription
The Elder Scrolls Online
It's been a while since the last mainline Elder Scrolls release, and we're pretty sure it'll be a while until the next one, so if you're a fan looking to breathe fresh life into Tamriel, Elder Scrolls Online is an excellent option.
Like Final Fantasy XIV, this is a game that struggled initially. But since dropping its subscription fees for a buy-to-play model, perception has dramatically improved. Despite being one of the most modern and recent MMOs to hit the market, Elder Scrolls Online has really picked up traction, which is undoubtedly helped by being in a recognizable universe that many wish to return to.
After the success of Morrowind, Elder Scrolls Online has had several DLC updates including Summerset, Wolfhunter and Murkmire.
Here you'll find the traditional Elder Scrolls viewpoint and combat but it’s all neatly tied in with those traditional MMO features like looting, crafting systems and PvP and PvE missions.
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One, PC
What's the payment structure? Buy-to-play
Runescape
Like World of Warcraft, Runescape is one of those names that's renowned in the MMO world, partly because it's one of the oldest games in the genre still going. And yet, with its user base managing to double in 2018, it's still very much alive and kicking.
Originally a browser-only game, over the years Runescape has expanded into its own program with vastly improved visuals and mechanics. At its heart, though, it remains a game that's dedicated to giving players freedom in combat and questing. It's perhaps for this reason that it remains one of the most popular and updated games in the MMO genre.
You can start playing via the official Runescape site.
What can I play it on? PC and Android Early Access with iOS coming in 2020
What's the payment structure? Free-to-play but can pay monthly membership for extra content - membership also includes mobile access
Black Desert Online
Black Desert Online certainly isn't one of the more accessible games on this list, but it's one that you may find it worth investing some time into. As a Korean MMO, it does place a heavy emphasis on grinding, but for anyone looking for in-depth profession and crafting systems, it's a contender.
More than many other MMOs, this is one that will try to draw you into a second life. It also has one of the most robust character creation systems in the genre. This is a game that has something to engage with on big and small scales. Want to fish and farm? You can do that. But you can also take part in guild wars and sieges past a certain level.
Don't expect a vast story here – this is very much a sandbox game where you craft your own story and adventure.
But there are various systems and mechanics to engage with and connecting them together can be rewarding, even if the process proves time-consuming and complicated.
Black Desert Online is a complex but stunning game. It has its problems, but its move from PC onto Playstation and Xbox One has only made it more relevant for a mainstream audience.
What can I play it on? PC, Xbox One, PS4
What's the payment structure? Buy-to-play with optional in-game purchases
Eve Online
There's been a lot of high fantasy in this list so far – but if you're more of a space age type then you might want to take a look at Eve Online.
A word of warning, though: we said Black Desert Online is complicated but Eve Online edges to beat it. This is a game world that's been going for 17 years and it's become somewhat infamous for being one of uncaring betrayal. While you can do whatever you want in the game, just remember that others can do whatever they want. And sometimes that involves ruining you. Space colonization is a tough game and there's no room for lasting friendships.
Eve Online is kind of the ultimate in sandbox MMO gaming – it's a game world driven by its playerbase; a playerbase capable of dragging out wars and schemes over periods of months with plenty of fighting, smuggling and sabotage in between.
Just because it's not the easiest game to learn doesn't mean you can't do it, though. Unlike the creators of Black Desert Online, over the years developer CCP has attempted to make it slightly more accessible and the developer has put together a thorough and helpful tutorial for beginners.
Besides, sometimes there's no better lesson than getting something horrifically wrong. The introduction of a free-to-play option is also a great chance to dip your toes in and see if you're interested in delving deeper.
You can download Eve Online from its official website.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment structure? Free-to-play or subscription
Final Fantasy XIV
It's not been an easy journey for this Final Fantasy MMO. First launched in 2010 to an overwhelmingly negative response (and for good reason), Square Enix then spent two years reworking and rebuilding it to create something much better.
In its latest and vastly improved form, Final Fantasy XIV is a game that will appeal to franchise fans and newcomers alike.
Boasting an accomplished class system and a story that builds steadily over the game's various expansions, this is an MMO which really captures the essence of the Final Fantasy franchise with plenty of fan service.
What can I play it on? PS4 and PC
What's the payment structure? Buy-to-play
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Date
05 May 2021Sources
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Hostinger vs SiteGround: which is the more reliable web hosting provider?
Read MoreIf you’re searching for a good web hosting provider, chances are you’ve read about the four crucial aspects to consider: speed, security, scalability and support. These four S’s provide websites with a competitive edge, allowing them to manage the influx of traffic they are expecting.
There’s a number of web hosting providers in the market that offer plans with prices anywhere from $4 to $100 a month. However, choosing which plan is perfect for your business has a dozen more considerations, including the four S’s mentioned above, but pricing is a good place to start. Once you’ve decided on the budget, the amount of traffic expected can be determined or estimated, as well as the type of server preferred.
If you’ve narrowed your choices down to two of the top European web hosting providers, Hostinger and SiteGround, this article will show you why the pair are worthy contenders.
Hostinger has the best cloud hosting service
Cloud hosting is a new buzzing category and Hostinger is top of the list with its advanced solution. The cheapest plan provides unlimited bandwidth, hosting for up to 300 websites, and up to 100 email accounts per domain, plus a plethora of other features. It's keenly priced as well at $9.99 per month.
SiteGround provides easy website management
Perfect for single websites, it includes 10GB of storage space, unmetered traffic, free SSL and email, daily backup, and more. This month, SiteGround is bringing the prices of all of their plans down for annual purchases. That means from $14.99 per month, their StartUp plan now only markets for $4.99 per month.
Hostinger vs SiteGround: main similarities
Both Hostinger and SiteGround offer 100% uptime, making them among the most reliable web hosting providers out there. Both also guarantee support to ensure that help is always available 24/7/365. Users will also find the free drag-and-drop website builder both companies offer that will make building a website from scratch not only possible, but a surprisingly simple task.
As over 60 million of today’s websites are currently using WordPress, Hostinger and SiteGround are excellent choices if you’re leaning towards a WordPress account. Hostinger offers one-click WordPress installation. While SiteGround’s WordPress installation involves three more steps, it is fairly easy nevertheless, making it also a great hosting option for WordPress sites.
Price comparison
Hostinger pricing (Image credit: Hostinger) Key factors such as pricing and speed prove substantially different between the two hosting giants. For instance, Hostinger’s basic plan starts at $1.39 per month, whereas SiteGround is not so meager with $4.99 per month. Premium plans go just a little higher for Hostinger, which goes from $2.59 to $3.99, while Hostinger’s top tier plans are higher at $7.99 and $14.99 per month respectively.
Kickstarting a website sometimes tends to require testing out which features will likely be needed. It’s helpful to be able to have free trials in cases like this, instead of having to pay upright for a plan that might not end up working. However, both Hostinger and SiteGround offer free plans. These plans do come with trade-offs such as ads and limited bandwidth (Hostinger), or friend referrals (SiteGround).
Domain names
SiteGround domains (Image credit: SiteGround) SiteGround lets you use a domain you own or register a new one when you activate a hosting account. Pricing depends on the extension you choose, i.e., for a .com domain, the cost is $15.95/year, while a .net domain costs $17.95/year, and so on.
Although it used to, SiteGround does not offer free domain names with their hosting plans anymore. This might sound like bad news, but SiteGround’s transparency lets users know this instead of misleading information that makes them think otherwise.
On the other hand, Hostinger gives users who subscribe to the annual premium or business hosting plans a free local domain name. It can be a .com, any local or a .net domain.
However, the domain only remains free of charge in the first year, after which a .com will cost $8.99 per year, a .online will cost $0.99, and so on. Hostinger is known to offer the cheapest domains available today.
Web hosting
SiteGround’s plans come with the essentials for a great hosting service, including 10GB of web space, a website, free sitebuilder, etc. These features are geared towards providing users with a headstart for their site and business. With its competitive pricing for monthly and annual plans, a handful of free services for subscribed users, features business-related sites can lean on, and remarkable customer support, SiteGround and its shared web hosting plans has earned its spot in the most trusted web hosting providers today.
Hostinger’s shared hosting plans provide features for beginners, personal websites, and small businesses alike. Features include from a single website (basic plan) to up to 100 websites, massive storage, free SSL, unlimited bandwidth (for premium plans), and a lot more. As expected, the premium and business shared hosting plans get more features than the basic plan, which includes free domain for a year. That said, the basic plan still provides a great hosting platform for a startup website.
Other hosting services SiteGround offers include WordPress hosting, WooCommerce hosting, Reseller Hosting, Cloud hosting, and Enterprise hosting, while Hostinger has Managed WordPress hosting, VPS hosting, Cloud hosting with a premium domain name, Email hosting, and web design services in the form of a custom website builder that comes with all hosting plans.
Account Setup
Hostinger’s hPanel allows users to finish setting up their hosting accounts relatively quickly. Completing the order takes less than a minute to complete. After completing the order, members can easily navigate to the member’s area which contains all the necessary tools in configuring the hosting account.
On the other hand, SiteGround’s setup wizard provides an on-boarding solution to make setting up a less tedious experience for the user. Whether setting up a new site or migrating one, a single log in is needed, providing access to the backend section which makes site management quick and easy.
cPanel comparison
Hostinger cPanel (Image credit: Hostinger) SiteGround has site tools that are equally easier to use compared to cPanel as Hostinger’s hPanel. SiteGround’s site tools are essentially the website’s control panel, which can be accessed on the dashboard after logging in. It replaces the cPanel altogether, which fares well for users who find it difficult to deal with.
hPanel, on the other hand, is described as a more comfortable version of cPanel, created exclusively for Hostinger. It is available with all of Hostinger’s web hosting plans, and is comprehensive and easy to use, not to mention aesthetically pleasing. hPanel comes with a menu where users can access and manage their website’s settings.
Website builder
Hostinger lets users build beautiful websites like a pro using Zyro, a fast, easy and powerful alternative to complex website creation that requires coding skills. Zyro is a drag-and-drop platform that has both free and paid versions.
SiteGround also has a free drag-and-drop website builder that requires no technical skills. This website builder comes with responsive themes, and storefront themes and payment options for eCommerce sites. Accessing this website builder is as easy as clicking on the User Area of the control panel and clicking on Sitebuilder. Thanks to SiteGround’s Sitebuilder, building a website on the platform can be done in five easy steps.
Customer support
SiteGround customer support (Image credit: SiteGround) Both Hostinger and SiteGround are known for exceptional customer support. This includes knowledgeable and fast support teams, and fast response time.
Hostinger’s 24/7 support line can be reached in several ways - live chat, email, and a ticketing system, but users are also encouraged to use self-help channels such as the help page and activating the AI chatbot.
It’s also 24/7 for SiteGround’s “insanely fast and notoriously competent” hosting support with a friendly and helpful team. Channels available are live chat, phone support, and helpdesk tickets, and there are also self-help options involving a smart AI chatbot, help pages, and automated solutions.
Verdict
For a third of the cost of SiteGround’s plans, Hostinger is not an overall bad choice. It offers the same unlimited bandwidth and storage for the premium plans, an easy hPanel control system, free website migration, free domain for a year, and a better performance with 1.5s average page load time.
SiteGround doesn’t fall behind, optimizing WordPress sites and offering above average speeds as well as a handful of features that come in handy. As both offer the same excellent customer support, 99.99% uptime, easy and user-friendly interfaces for website building, and fast page speed, the only major difference to consider is in the pricing. Hostinger definitely takes the lead.
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Nvidia's LHR cards appeared to be hacked again, but it's malware - updated
Read MoreEditors note: We've been getting a lot of reports that this software is actually a collection of malware designed to take over your PC. Do not download it. We do not link to the software in this story, and you should not seek it out. Original story continues below.
Early in 2021, Nvidia released LHR (light hash rate) versions of its graphics cards, starting with the RTX 3060, in the interest of keeping cryptocurrency miners from buying up all the stock before gamers could get their hands on them. However, it looks like that plan just went up in smoke.New software posted on GitHub by user SergeyDev allegedly gets around the hash rate limiter, making the graphics cards much more powerful for mining purposes. The speeds of each unlocked GPU have been reported by Chinese tech website MyDrivers, and spotted by the folks over at VideoCardz and it appears that all of the Nvidia graphics cards are back at full mining strength.
The software is essentially a third-party graphics driver and BIOS, so this would definitely fall in the "download at your own risk" category, but if it works, it could make all these Nvidia cards freshly attractive to Bitcoin miners, reduce supplies and send graphics card prices on the rise, again.
We don't test cryptocurrency mining performance here at TechRadar, so we can't speak to the efficacy of this software. But either way, it's unlikely that Nvidia will be able to easily stamp out this workaround, as any existing graphics cards on the market would need a BIOS update to counter it.
We've reached out to Nvidia for comment, and we'll update this story if and when we hear anything back from Team Green. But this isn't the first time this has happened and it looks like graphics cards may start to become more expensive soon – as hard as that is to hear.
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