Massive Entertainment has revealed that at one point in the development of The Division, it was designed as a MMORPG in the style of World of Warcraft. During this phase, players were able to experience the game with a hotbar and a dog companion, but over time, it evolved into the action-focused experience we know today.
This information was shared in a video published on the Massive Entertainment YouTube channel, where creative director Drew Rechner and game director Fredrik Thyland discussed this development process during a celebration of the game's 10th anniversary. The video titled 'Cleaning the Broadway Emporium in The Division - Devs Playing | Episode 5' is filled with reflections on the game's evolution.
In the opening minutes of the video, the duo recalls an earlier version of the game, where the player character had the ability to use skills available on a traditional MMO-style hotbar. A brief glimpse of this build is shown on screen, giving viewers insight into what this version looked like.
Rechner describes the core gameplay loop of The Division, referred to as OPE (observe, plan, execute). They discuss how Massive Entertainment's team arrived at the gameplay that was present at launch.
Rechner stated, "When we had started working on The Division, it was still an MMO with, like, World of Warcraft-style gameplay. That skill component wasn’t there. There weren’t those traditional shooter aspects. We were constantly trying to balance how much shooter was there, how much skill was there, and we eventually came upon this."
During the time when The Division was being developed, prior to 2016, there weren't many MMORPGs trying to blend hotbar-style MMO gameplay with more mainstream shooting elements. The closest example is likely Defiance, a sci-fi MMOTPS that launched in 2013 and unfortunately did not gain the momentum needed for long-term success. This period was not particularly fruitful for new MMOs in general, as other titles like Wildstar faced similar fates.
The Division went on to achieve significant success, breaking records for initial sales of a new franchise, surpassing even Destiny for the crown back in 2016. The game recently received a definitive edition to celebrate its anniversary, while The Division 3 is currently in development.
This revelation from Massive Entertainment about The Division marks an important turning point in the evolution of the gaming industry. It serves as an inspiring example of how MMORPG elements can be harmonized with dynamic, action-oriented gameplay. The developers' ability to pivot the game's direction based on player feedback is a notable success story.
