MMORPGs are now the fastest-growing segment of the bullish entertainment software market, due in part to the growing number of publishers such as Electronic Arts, Sony, Microsoft and Sega, who are eyeballing monthly MMORPG subscriptions as a source of long-term revenue.

The dominant leader of the 350-plus MMORPGs on release is EverQuest, a game with a global population of 500,000. Colloquially referred to as EverCrack, many long-term players are rescinding their 40-plus hour per week relationship with characters in favour of real life. Publisher Sony Online responded by showcasing EverQuest II.