Discussion time: Most big MMOs are seasonal now—do you prefer it that way, or do you loathe the FOMO checklist?
Major MMOs are increasingly adopting seasonal content structures as a design trend. The article highlights examples including Final Fantasy 14’s properly-named seasons (such as Evercold), World of Warcraft’s Mythic+ and Delve seasons, and The Elder Scrolls Online’s adoption of seasonal mechanics.
The piece explores both advantages and disadvantages of this shift. On the positive side, seasonal structures help break up content progression by replacing borrowed power grinds that previously spanned entire expansions. However, the article also addresses a significant concern: the FOMO (fear of missing out) checklist mentality that seasonal content can create, requiring players to engage regularly during limited-time windows or risk losing access to content and rewards.
This represents a broader industry trend in live-service MMO design, reflecting how developers balance keeping players engaged with finite content cycles that encourage regular returning players and can drive revenue through battle passes and seasonal cosmetics.