This post has not been edited by the GamesBeat staff. Opinions by GamesBeat community writers do not necessarily reflect those of the staff.

MMO

The Elder Scrolls Online – ZeniMax Online Studios (OS X, Windows)
Homepage
Early 2013

What is it?
Bethesda is taking the Elder Scrolls online and into the distant past of its world a thousand years before the events of Skyrim. In that pivotal era, Tiber Septim had yet to build his empire but the people of Tamriel were already at each others’ throats, vying for supremacy. It’s a great setting for an MMO, but the jury’s still out on whether the MMO take on the the Elder Scrolls will have enough to differentiate itself from the competition.

EverQuest Next – Sony Online Entertainment (PS4, Windows)
Homepage
TBA 2014

What is it?
The next successor to the long running EverQuest MMO series will be set in a “reimagining” of the franchise boasting “10,000 years of explorable history” and destructible environments. Cities and kings will both rise and fall and even the gods could change based on what players do in the game. Players will also be able to mix and match skills and abilities across classes, experience the consequence of their actions, and even dabble in a little design fun with a set of tools that could help their creation become a part of EverQuest Next. Lots of ambitious ideas riding on this one that has a lot of people excited.

Shadowrun Online – Cliffhanger Productions (Android, iOS, Linux, OS X, Ouya, Windows)
Homepage
Q1/Q2 2014

What is it?
With an investor onboard, the team has reportedly ramped up their development efforts as well as expand testing of the tech that will run behind it via another game – Aerena. They’re still aiming for a persistent campaign that will actually shape how the Shadowrun universe will go forward. As mentioned last year, unlike Shadowrun Returns which takes place in the 2050s, this one is set in the 2070s but will also share bits and pieces of history from what is being done in Returns to create a persistent feel between the two titles.

Smite – Hi-Rez Studios (Windows)
Homepage
March 25, 2014

What is it?
A multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title that casts players in the role of mythological gods in order to do battle against other teams. A number of different pantheons are represented such as the Egyptian, Greek, and even Norse gods from which players can pick who they want to fight as. Right now, the game is in open beta with a free-to-play client available for anyone to download and try it out before it’s “official” release.

Tom Clancy’s The Division – Ubisoft Massive (PS4, Windows, XBO)
Homepage
TBA 2014

What is it?
An MMO-styled third-person tactical shooter set in a post-apocalyptic New York three weeks after it was left wasted by a plague. Players are cast into being members of the “Division”, a special unit set up to deal with the crisis as it continues to ravage the city and pit desperate survivors against each other. RPG elements will allow players to improve their character’s skills, craft pieces of equipment, and explore the modern ruins of what was once NYC. Multiplayer options will allow players to trade with each other online, team up on missions to fight the virus, or investigate places together. There will also be a little PvP, though it will be interesting to see how that plays out and what factions are involved.