Is Ragnarok Online 2 still alive in 2024?
No, Ragnarok Online 2 is effectively dead in 2024. As a gamer who eagerly anticipated its launch back in 2013, it‘s a shame to see a once-promising MMORPG fizzle out so quickly. While the original Ragnarok Online remains popular, the failed sequel serves as a cautionary tale of how not to execute an online RPG relaunch.
The Brief Rise and Fall of Ragnarok Online 2
Ragnarok Online 2 (RO2) launched in 2013, eleven years after the groundbreaking original MMORPG. As a longtime RO player, I was initially excited to jump back into the colorful, animated world I knew and loved from the first game.
RO2 used the same signature art style and Norse mythology inspiration as the original title. It added new features like dual classing along with action-based combat and dungeon crawler elements.
However, a series of missteps quickly doomed RO2:
- Botched launch plagued with glitches and server issues
- System requirements were demanding, limiting potential player base
- Combat was criticized as being too automated
- Current RO players saw little incentive to switch games
The population peaked around 26K after launch then promptly declined over the next two years:
| Date | Estimated Players |
| Launch (2013) | 26,000 |
| 2015 | 15,000 |
| 2018 | 5,000 |
By 2018, RO2 shut down across Europe entirely. The rushed, unstable launch combined with flawed gameplay clearly turned off most fans of the beloved franchise.
The Continued Success of Ragnarok Online 1
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old Ragnarok Online 1 continues flourishing today. As of February 2023, it still averages over 1 million monthly players – vastly more than RO2 ever achieved.
Clearly, the original game still provides an experience that no sequel or mobile spinoff has managed to replace for fans. The community and nostalgia around the inaugural 2002 release keeps players logging back in two decades later.
Lessons Learned from the RO2 Cautionary Tale
As an engaged MMORPG gamer, the story of RO2 shows the importance of respecting franchise history with any sequel or relaunch. Staying true to proven gameplay, expanding slowly, and keeping the original fanbase happy lead to success.
RO2 ignored all these tenets – it changed too much, too fast while failing to address longtime Ragnarok lovers‘ expectations. For developers attempting to reboot an established online RPG, carefully evolve – don‘t drastically overhaul.
The Ragnarok IP Lives On
While RO2 itself is dead for now, the Ragnarok trademark clearly retains strong resonance. Modern mobile relaunches show there is still ample interest in the property. I‘m also excited as a fan to potentially revisit the classic RO1 MMORPG if the rumored Southeast Asia relaunch happens.
So the world of Ragnarok remains alive through various reincarnations, even as my bold 2013 prediction of Ragnarok Online 2 being the future of the franchise fell flat. Yet the vibrant art and gameplay clearly still captivates both nostalgic and new fans when implemented thoughtfully.
Conclusion
As an engaged, longtime gamer, analyzing sequels and reboots like Ragnarok Online 2 reveal insightful lessons both developers and the gaming community can learn from. While RO2 itself is dead for now, the legacy of Ragnarok remains immortal in online RPG history thanks to an unforgettable, wildly creative original incarnation that stands the test of time.
