A former lead developer on Ultima Online, one of the earliest and most influential MMOs, has argued that the genre has moved past decades of trying to replicate World of Warcraft's formula. They suggest that newer influences, such as the life-simulation and cosy-game styles seen in Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, are now shaping how online multiplayer games are designed, rather than the raid-and-quest structure that WoW popularised.

The comments reflect a broader shift in the MMO space, where developers have increasingly looked beyond traditional fantasy questing towards more social, sandbox and community-driven experiences. The full article, sourced from GamesRadar+, was not available in a readable format for this summary, so further specific details or direct quotes from the former Ultima Online lead could not be confirmed.