AdventureQuest 3D

VS

Ark: Survival Evolved

AdventureQuest 3D is a cross-platform MMORPG launched in 2016 by Artix Entertainment. While it started with a solid player base thanks to the nostalgia and success of the AdventureQuest brand, Artix is a small indie studio with a niche audience. Eight years post-launch, active player numbers have declined, but the game's persistent updates keep a modest, loyal community engaged. The game is niche but still fits classic MMO criteria with its persistent world and multiplayer elements.

Ark: Survival Evolved is a popular survival sandbox game released in 2017 and available on nearly all platforms. Its peak was several years ago, but it maintains a stable community thanks to official and community servers, modding, and occasional event content. While numbers have declined since launch, the game still sees tens of thousands of daily players across PC and consoles, especially due to its ongoing updates and active mod scene. However, it is not an MMO as it does not feature a single, large-scale persistent world—servers are capped and players are sharded.