View source for Anarchy Online

{{Short description|Multiplayer online role-playing game}}
{{Update|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Anarchy Online
| image = Anarchy Online Coverart.png
| alt = An abstract symbol of two complementary metal forms is shown partially buried in sand. Below it is text reading: "Anarchy Online: The Future In Your Hands".
| developer = [[Funcom]]
| publisher = Funcom
| designer = [[Gaute Godager]]
| writer = [[Ragnar Tørnquist]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|June 27, 2001|EU|September 28, 2001}}
| genre = [[Massively multiplayer online role-playing]]
| modes = [[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Windows]]
}}

'''''Anarchy Online''''' is a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] (MMORPG) published and developed by Norwegian video game development company [[Funcom]]. Released in June 2001, the game was the first in the genre to include a science-fiction setting, dynamic quests, instancing, free trials, and in-game advertising. The game's ongoing storyline revolves around the fictional desert planet Rubi-Ka, wherein a valuable mineral known as Notum is found. Players assume the role of a new colonist to Rubi-Ka. With no specific objective to win ''Anarchy Online'', the player advances the game through the improvement of a character's skills over time. After more than 20 years, ''Anarchy Online'' has become one of the oldest surviving games in the genre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2771&table=CONTENT|title=Anarchy Online's 13-Year Anniversary|access-date=May 23, 2019|archive-date=May 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510042436/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2771&table=CONTENT|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Plot==
Fighting for military and political power on Rubi-Ka are the Omni-Tek corporation (who own a thousand-year lease to the planet), as well as separatist clans, terrorist groups, extraterrestrial life, and ancient civilizations. The narrative was developed to be played out as a series of virtual "role-play" events over the course of four years, influenced by the actions of those taking part in the game.

According to the game's back story, the Source is the "essence of [all] life" deep inside the planet, which created the first forms of life, who called themselves the Xan. They began as a small, perfect, immortal civilization, living in peace and harmony. The Xans' eventual discovery and research of the Source changed this. It lead them to create powerful technology and a great civilization, but this made them greedy and arrogant. Two factions formed within the Xan, calling themselves the Redeemed and the Unredeemed. These groups fought over how best to use the Source—now strained and unstable from their tampering. They tried in vain to fix the problem, but discovered that they were too late, as the Source would soon destroy the planet. Rubi-Ka was ripped apart in a cataclysm, leaving it a barren rock. The Source, and small fragments of the Xans' dead civilization, were thrown into another dimension known as the Shadowlands. The survivors left in search of other habitable planets, where they planted versions of their species, and hoped that one would prosper and eventually return to Rubi-Ka. Earth was one of their destinations.<ref name=plot_synopsis/>

In the year 28,702 AD, a mining survey ship from the megacorporation Omni-Tek carried to Rubi-Ka the first humans to land on it. The Interstellar Confederation of Corporations (ICC)  granted Omni-Tek a one thousand-year lease on the planet shortly after. It was a seemingly useless, arid landscape far from civilization, until the discovery of the mineral Notum, unique to Rubi-Ka. Research of Notum and its properties led to major leaps forward in nanotechnology, making possible the creation of powerful new technology, as well as the resurrection of the dead. After [[terraforming]] a portion of Rubi-Ka and constructing several cities, outposts, and transportation infrastructure, the company began importing colonists under contract as miners and other professions.<ref name=plot_synopsis/>

The first five-hundred years of Omni-Tek's control of Rubi-Ka were marked with an exemplary record of worker treatment, but as time passed, their policies degraded. Their scientists', tinkering with the mutating effects of Notum on the colonists in a quest for efficiency, lead to many failed experiments. Survivors of these experiments became the game's four playable races, or "breeds", each designed by Omni-Tek to specialize in a type of work. Together with the original Solitus race, were the genetically engineered  and herculean Atrox, the intelligent Nanomages, and the nimble Opifexes. They continued to labor in the midst of an increasingly hostile and totalitarian culture. This caused a significant number of workers to rebel, and begin to trade stolen Notum to a rival corporation. These rebel groups, collectively calling themselves the Clans, fought a series of wars with Omni-Tek over the next several centuries.<ref name=plot_synopsis/>

===Player point of view===
''Anarchy Online'''s story, from the player's point of view, began in 29,475, after the most recent peace treaty had been signed between Omni-Tek and the Clans. ICC peacekeeping troops later moved into some cities to protect neutral observers of the war who had rejected their contractual obligations with Omni-Tek, but did not align themselves with the Clans. Omni-Tek, the Clans, and the neutral observers make up the game's three playable factions and control much of Rubi-Ka's terraformed surface.

After scientists opened a portal to the Shadowlands, players discovered the Source, killing the guardian the Xan had left there to protect it. This prompted an alien race known as the Kyr'ozch to begin attacking Rubi-Ka. The story's current plots revolve around the fight by all sides for control of the planet.<ref name=plot_synopsis>{{cite web |title=Anarchy Online: The Story So Far |publisher=[[Funcom]] |year=2008 |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2431&sort=RELDATE%20desc&table=CONTENT |access-date=2008-08-16 <!--DASHBot--> |archive-date=2008-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118035145/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2431&sort=RELDATE%20desc&table=CONTENT |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Anarchy Online: Timeline |publisher=[[Funcom]] |year=2008 |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&table=PUBLISH&template=drill&func_id=1031&navID=1003,1006,1031 |access-date=2008-08-16 <!--DASHBot--> |archive-date=2008-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815222057/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&table=PUBLISH&template=drill&func_id=1031&navID=1003,1006,1031 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Anarchy Online Dynamic Mission.jpg|thumb|right|alt=An armored man holding a sword-like object standing in a large, foggy room filled with thick strands extending from floor to ceiling. Three floating creatures and one dead creature surround him.|A player's character fights three computer-controlled alien enemies inside a room of an alien mothership-themed dynamic mission. Dynamic missions are a central component of ''Anarchy Online'' and each of its expansion packs.]]

Players assume the roles of new colonists to Rubi-Ka or the Shadowlands. The game world is occupied by human players and [[Non-player character|computer-controlled characters]], both friendly and hostile. The game begins with the player creating a unique character, choosing its name, sex, height, weight, and facial features. Each character is also one of the four [[humanoid]] "breeds". The final choice is that of the character's profession, similar to the [[character class]]es of other [[role-playing game]]s.

The game's multiplayer nature and "free-form" gameplay encourage creating [[personal network]]s, and cooperating and fighting with other players.<ref name=confrence>{{cite conference | first = Andrew | last = Burn | author2 = Carr, Diane. | title = Signs From A Strange Planet: Role Play And Social Performance In Anarchy Online | conference = COSIGN Proceedings 2003, 3rd Conference on Computational Semiotics for Games and New Media | pages = 14–21 | date=September 2003 | publisher = University of Teesside | url=http://www.cosignconference.org/downloads/papers/proceedings_cosign_2003.pdf | access-date=2009-08-17 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090918112405/http://www.cosignconference.org/downloads/papers/proceedings_cosign_2003.pdf | archive-date= 18 September 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name=rev_gspot_sl>{{cite web | last =Park | first =Andrew | title =Anarchy Online: Shadowlands Review | publisher =[[GameSpot]] | date =2003-10-04 | url =http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonlineshadowlands/review.html | access-date = 2008-08-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070517201540/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonlineshadowlands/review.html | archive-date=2007-05-17}}</ref> Players interact with ''Anarchy Online'''s interface via a keyboard and mouse. The game's [[HUD (video gaming)|heads-up display]] consists of a series of windows, menus and buttons located on the periphery of the screen. Players communicate with each other by typing text in [[chat room|chat windows]], and occasionally through emotive character animations. Communication with computer-controlled characters is executed via text windows, in which players chose from a menu of possible responses to the conversation being shown.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 17–19</ref> Like most role-playing games, ''Anarchy Online'' provides structure for role-playing events, organized either by players or officially by Funcom staff.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ark.funcom.com/Public/ARKsite?page_id=7 |title=Advisors of Rubi-Ka |access-date=2009-08-15 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |year=2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122155236/http://ark.funcom.com/Public/ARKsite?page_id=7 |archive-date=2009-11-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Most major cities include night clubs and other venues specifically for this.<ref name=rev_gspot_sl/>

Groups of players, large or small, are often required to complete objectives. In addition to forming teams and informal chat groups, joining a player organization is encouraged. These are, like [[Clan (computer gaming)|guilds]] in similar games, officially recognized groups bound together for technical and social benefits. Organizations are able to build their own cities across the game world, control areas of land, run player markets, and access other special content.<ref>{{cite web|author=Odicio, Luis |title=Anarchy Online – Alien Invasion Review |publisher=IGN |date=2004-10-19 |url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/558/558115p1.html |access-date=2008-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214064818/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/558/558115p1.html |archive-date=2007-02-14}}</ref><ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 72–75</ref>

Among the most distinct gameplay elements of ''Anarchy Online'' are dynamic missions.<ref name=rev_gspy_orig/> Missions, or [[Quest (gaming)|quests]], are a traditional gameplay element in the role-playing genre. The player or team is given a set of tasks—usually related to the story—to complete somewhere in the game world; in return, they are rewarded with experience points, items, and money.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonline/news.html?sid=6025538&mode=news |title=Anarchy Online gets mission overhaul |access-date=2008-08-17 |author=Parker, Same |date=2003-04-23 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Dynamic missions are similar to traditional missions in purpose, but are created at the player's request. Once they choose its difficulty and other options, the game generates a new, indoor area filled with computer-controlled enemies. The player or team is told to go to its location and finish a task inside for their reward.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 63–64</ref> Dynamic missions, like many other encounters in ''Anarchy Online'', are "instanced": each mission area is available only to those assigned to it.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 62</ref>

===Skill system===
Much of what characters can do, and how well they do it, is determined by the game's eighty-three distinct character skills. A skill is a numerical representation of a character's proficiency in an area of skill, starting from zero. As players kill computer-controlled enemies, they gain [[experience points]] for their character. After gaining enough points, the character [[levels up]]. The current maximum level is 220. At each new level, the character is given "skill points", which are used to increase any combination they choose of the eighty-three skills.<ref name="gg_skills">''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 30–33</ref>

Any character can access and increase any skill. The character's profession, however, provides unique resources called "perks", "alien perks", "research", and "nano programs" that increase specific skill further. This makes each profession more adept at elements of gameplay than others. Doctors, for instance, can increase skills related to healing much higher than a soldier because of these additional resources. Perks are chosen from a menu when the character reaches certain levels. Alien perks are gained when the player kills enough of a specific type of alien enemy.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 48–49</ref> Research is gained by diverting a percentage of earned experience points toward personal or faction-specific research projects, instead of new levels.<ref name=le_interview>{{cite web|url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/631/631859p3.html |author=Aihoshi, Richard |title=Anarchy Online – Lost Eden Interview |access-date=2008-09-29 |publisher=IGN |date=2005-07-07}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Nano programs give temporary increases to certain skills.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 43</ref>

===Combat===
After targeting another character and initiating combat, the player and their opponent will damage each other automatically with their weapons. This continues until the player stops or the target is dead. Each profession's unique nano programs, perks and research also provide combat abilities used by the player during the fight. These can heal the owner, cause additional damage, lower the skills of the enemy, blind them or otherwise hinder the enemy's ability to fight. Once the target is dead, the player is able to loot money and items from the enemy's body.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 27–29</ref> After death, the character's skills are reduced for several minutes, making them much less powerful in combat during that period.<ref>''[[#Rubi-Ka|Getting Started on Rubi-ka]]'' pg. 66</ref>

[[File:Anarchy Online Land Control Area.png|thumb|right|alt=Characters grouped around one of several man-made metal towers in a desert. A heads-up display with buttons, boxes containing text, and other objects line the periphery of the image.|Players attack a tower at a land control area. These player vs. player encounters—introduced with the ''Notum Wars'' booster pack in 2002—require the cooperation of several players.]]

Combat between two or more human players, called [[player versus player]] or "PvP" is encouraged by both the reward of special equipment and the social nature of the game.<ref name=nyt>{{cite news |author=Schiesel, Seth |title=Voyage to a Strange Planet |date=2003-06-12 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/12/technology/voyager-to-a-strange-planet.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 |access-date=2008-08-16 |pages=(2) |archive-date=2015-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227130544/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/12/technology/voyager-to-a-strange-planet.html?sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 |url-status=live}}</ref> Killing other players also rewards characters with a "PvP ranking", permanently shown beside the player's name, which represents how many other human players they have killed.<ref name=ign_pvp_guide/> Player versus player combat is controlled by the percentage of "suppression gas" in the area that dictates whether a player can start combat unprovoked with another player. Generally, this percentage approaches 100% in major cities, providing safe havens, and decreases while moving to more remote areas.<ref name=ign_pvp_guide>{{cite web|author=Craig "Silirrion" Morrison |title=PvP Guide |publisher=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/anarchy-online |access-date=2009-08-16  |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221101309/http://aovault.ign.com/View.php?view=Guides.Detail&id=88 |archive-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref><ref name="yahoo_launchprob">{{cite web|url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/pc/reviews/anarchy-online--the-notum-wars-716b0c.html |title=Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars |access-date=2008-08-17 |publisher=[[Yahoo|Yahoo! UK and Ireland]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718135328/http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/pc/reviews/anarchy-online--the-notum-wars-716b0c.html |archive-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref name=rev_gradar_le/>

Combat was updated with the release of the Battlestation expansion. This allowed for a pure PvP environment where Clan and Omni players could square off in a spacestation arena, with Neutrals able to join any side. Much later, due to a declining playerbase, Clans and Omni were allowed to join teams side by side. Battlestation points were scored by capturing ("capping") up to four locations, one in the middle and three down long corridors; teleporters shortened the distance between the corridor ends. Battlestation allowed for much higher team and individual kill scores; the highest scoring team kill player of all time was Ndonaden (a doctor class Omni).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/|title=Anarchy Online &#124; Funcom|website=www.anarchy-online.com|access-date=2002-03-27|archive-date=2001-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010812075759/http://216.74.158.92/news/bigNews/statement.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==History==
===Development===
Preliminary development for ''Anarchy Online'' began in 1995 at Funcom's [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] studios.<ref name=7yearInterview/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1007&table=PUBLISH&item=1007 |title=Funcom Press Contact |year=2008 |access-date=2008-08-19 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729031234/http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1007&table=PUBLISH&item=1007 |archive-date=29 July 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> Up until that point, the company had only developed offline video games for [[Video game console|consoles]], including the critically successful ''[[Speed Freaks|Speed Punks]]'' for the [[PlayStation]].<ref>{{cite web |title=IGN: Funcom |publisher=IGN |url=http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025602.html |access-date=2009-09-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214211048/http://games.ign.com/objects/025/025602.html |archive-date=2009-02-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Speed Punks Reviews |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/driving/speedpunks/review.html?mode=web&tag=scoresummary;critic-score |access-date=2009-09-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215075258/http://www.gamespot.com/ps/driving/speedpunks/review.html?mode=web&tag=scoresummary%3Bcritic-score |archive-date=February 15, 2009}}</ref> In a 2007 interview, former project leader [[Gaute Godager]] said Funcom's management wanted to put substantial resources into developing a new MMORPG; they believed the genre's user base would expand in the coming years. Unlike most other games in the genre, which had traditional role-playing fantasy themes, ''Anarchy Online'' featured a science-fiction theme.<ref name=scifi_theme>{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/073/073266p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020613075654/http://pc.ign.com/articles/073/073266p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 13, 2002 |title=Anarchy Online Interview |access-date=2008-08-19 |publisher=IGN |date=1999-12-15}}</ref> The game would also feature a relatively large playable area, and graphics that were, at the time, more advanced than existing MMORPGs.<ref name=rev_gspot_orig>{{cite web|last=Seyoon Park |first=Andrew |title=Anarchy Online Review |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=2001-06-13 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonline/review.html |access-date=2008-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012154514/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonline/review.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008}}</ref> Godager said he and many other developers saw the idea as "crazy", describing the project as "very ambitious".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2434&table=CONTENT |title='7 Years Online' Video |access-date=2008-08-16 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |year=2008 <!--DASHBot--> |archive-date=2008-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815212810/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2434&table=CONTENT |url-status=live}}</ref> The project's team grew steadily between 1995 and 2001 to include at least 70 developers.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Funcom Announces Release Plans for Anarchy Online |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2001-03-03 |url=http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?show=137 |access-date=2008-08-16 |archive-date=2006-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019004817/http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?show=137 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In a 2001 interview, gameworld designer Morten Byom said that the process of creating Rubi-Ka's virtual world had "taken more time and effort than anyone imagined" when they first started. The team took inspiration from a number of sources including science-fiction books, films, architecture in Oslo, and other games in the genre. They said that one of the biggest challenges was finding ways to encourage players to use the entire game world as they play, not to "gather in one corner". Byom said that he wanted to give the world as much detail as possible to make the game "convincing" to the player.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2780812.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124074703/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2780812.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-24 |title=Anarchy Online Q&A |access-date=2009-08-19 |date=2001-06-27 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

Composers Morten Sørlie, Tor Linløkken, and Bjørn Arve Lagim created the soundtrack and music of ''Anarchy Online''. Using a system they call "Sample-based Interactive Music", the game [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixes]] numerous [[Sample (music)|music samples]] to create dynamic music. By starting, stopping, fading, and layering samples based on where the player is, and what they are doing, the game creates a continuous stream of background music. Bjørn Arve Lagim said that the music is inspired by the "traditional sound" of a film score, using both orchestral and electronic instruments.<ref name=soundtrack>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2952/the_music_of_anarchy_online_.php?page=2 |page=2 |author=Lagim, Bjørn Arve |title=The Music of Anarchy Online: Creating Music for MMOGs |date=2002-10-16 |access-date=2009-08-08 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=2009-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509234314/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2952/the_music_of_anarchy_online_.php?page=2 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Longer full-length versions of some songs were later released on [[compact disc]] with a special edition of the game in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anarchy Online (Special Edition)|publisher=IGN |date=2002-06-01 |url=http://pc.ign.com/objects/855/855352.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015155744/http://pc.ign.com/objects/855/855352.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2007 |access-date=2009-08-27}}</ref>

''Anarchy Online'' was officially announced at the 2000 [[E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo)|Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)]]. [[GameSpot]], and other online sites, published articles tracking the game's development over the next year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/p_anarchyo |author=Gestalt |title=Anarchy Online |access-date=2009-09-26 |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |date=2000-09-10 |archive-date=2012-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929090650/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/p_anarchyo |url-status=live}}</ref> It made its second appearance at E3 in May 2001, one month before launch. Based on the [[beta version]] shown there, GameSpot said they were confident in the game's progress, given what they have seen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonline/news.html?sid=2762459 |author=Park, Andrew Seyoon |title=E3 2001 Hands-On Anarchy Online |access-date=2008-08-16 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=2001-04-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2565399.html?print=1 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124030050/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2565399.html?print=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-24 |author=Ajami, Amer |title=Anarchy at E3 |access-date=2008-08-16 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=2000-04-12}}</ref> At the [[European Computer Trade Show]] in 2001 it was awarded ''Multiplayer Game of Show''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/098/098017p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020417050959/http://pc.ign.com/articles/098/098017p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 17, 2002 |title=ECTS 2001: Awards |access-date=2008-08-16 |publisher=IGN|date=2002-09-04}}</ref> A public beta test began two weeks before launch, during which 100,000 players downloaded and played pre-release versions of the game, helping the company find [[Software bug|bugs]] and other technical problems with the software.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonline/news.html?sid=2771960 |title=Anarchy Online beta update |access-date=2008-08-16 |author=Walker, Trey |date=2001-06-08 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

===Release===
''Anarchy Online'' officially launched to the public on June 27, 2001, in the United States and Norway and on September 28 of the same year in the rest of Europe.<ref name=release_europe>{{cite web|title=Anarchy Online Now Available For $29.99 |url=http://www.funcom.com/corporate/about/pressreleases/240901aonewprice.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011217162728/http://www.funcom.com/corporate/about/pressreleases/240901aonewprice.html |access-date=2009-08-19 |date=2001-09-24 |archive-date=December 17, 2001 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition to being distributed as a retail box from physical and online stores, ''Anarchy Online'' was one of the first MMORPGs available via online [[digital distribution]].<ref name=threeYears/><ref>{{cite web |title=Funcom celebrates five year anniversary for Anarchy Online! |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=June 27, 2006 |url=http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&table=CONTENT&func_id=1136 |access-date=2009-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113032251/http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1136&table=CONTENT |archive-date=November 13, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

During its first month of release many stability, registration, and billing issues hurt public perception of the game. Some gaming reporters claimed it was the worst launch of an MMO in the history of the genre. Funcom spent about 6 months fixing the game, particularly the beginning experience. The company then took the "fixed game" on a press tour to convince reporters to give it another try, even though reviews and scores had been printed months before. At the same time, the company needed to build subscribers, which was very difficult given the reputation of the game. Funcom introduced the first "free trial" of the game and gave out returned boxed copies for free at the 2002 Game Developer's Conference. Some gaming publications informed their readers of the improved game, although they did not change their original scores. By the end of that year, ''Anarchy Online'' had recovered from the launch woes and won the MMO of the Year award from ''PC Gamer''. The company went on to create expansions, including the ''Shadowlands'' expansion in 2003 that earned several ''Editor's Choice'' awards.

Two months after its release in August 2001, Funcom began offering free trial subscriptions, now common practice for other games in the MMOG genre.<ref name=threeYears/><ref>{{cite web|first=Gerald |last=Villoria |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2814100.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730184543/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2814100.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-30 |title=Free Anarchy Online trial available |access-date=2009-08-16 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |date=2001-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=24178|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070624090605/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=24178|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-24|title=Funcom offers Anarchy Online free trial in CD form|access-date=2009-08-02 |publisher=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=2002-01-18}}</ref> New players were able to sign up for accounts that remained free for a limited number of days. This required them to supply some personal information, including a credit card number. After their trial period, players could either cancel their accounts, or keep them to continue playing the game at the cost of the monthly subscription fee.<ref name="turns_one">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/anarchyonline/news.html?sid=2872623 |title=Anarchy Online Turns One |author=Walker, Trey| access-date=2008-08-16 |date=2002-06-27 |publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>

===Expansions===
Periodic free updates are released as [[Patch (computing)|content patches]] on an average of three per month since the game's release. These fix bugs, and add relatively small amounts of new content. The patches are downloaded and installed automatically when players start the game software.<ref>{{cite web |title=Anarchy Online Updates |publisher=[[Funcom]] |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&table=PUBLISH&template=iframe&func_id=1089&navID=1003,1005,1070,1089 |access-date=2009-08-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314055924/http://anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&table=PUBLISH&template=iframe&func_id=1089&navID=1003%2C1005%2C1070%2C1089 |archive-date=2009-03-14}}</ref> Larger updates, called [[expansion pack]]s and booster packs, are available for purchase to further extend the game, typically adding new playable areas, creatures, equipment, and story progression. Expansions tend to introduce large amounts of new content; boosters are considered "too large" for a patch, but "not large enough" to warrant a full expansion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.funcom.com/media/pressreleases/english/booster.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021204050800/http://www.funcom.com/media/pressreleases/english/booster.html |title=Funcom Introduces "Booster Packs" To PC Market |access-date=2009-08-19 |date=2002-08-12 |archive-date=December 4, 2002 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| style="width:100%;" class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of ''Anarchy Online'' expansion and booster packs
! style="width:120px;"| Title
! style="width:40px;"| Year
! style="width:70px;"| Type
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| ''Notum Wars''
| 2002
| booster
| ''Notum Wars'' was the game's first major content update in 2002. It introduced the land control areas which are now a central gameplay feature. It also added a new character creation system, flying vehicles, aesthetic improvements to the game world, and improvements to the game's rendering engine.<ref name="rev_notum_ign">{{cite web|url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/381/381294p1.html |title=Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars Review |access-date=2008-08-17 |author=Krause, Staci |date=2002-12-30 |publisher=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719220930/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/381/381294p1.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| ''Shadowlands''
| 2003
| expansion
| ''Shadowlands'' has been the largest expansion to date. Seven themed areas, and dozens of other new locations significantly added to the game's playable area. It raised the maximum character level from 200 to 220, and introduced the perk system. Also included were a new user interface, two new player professions, improvements to the game's rendering engine, new dynamic missions, and a "flood" of new items.<ref name="rev_ign_sl"/>
|-
| ''Alien Invasion''
| 2004
| expansion
| Most of ''Alien Invasion'''s content centered around player organizations. "City plots" were placed throughout Rubi-Ka which organizations can buy to erect custom cities. These cities give skill bonuses, access to unique equipment, access to new dynamic missions, and venues for role-play events. It also included a new starter area—which serves as a training ground for new characters—and new user interface. The perk system was extended with the introduction of "alien experience points".<ref name=rev_gzone_ai>{{cite web | last =Bemis | first =Greg | title =Anarchy Online Review | publisher =[[GameSpot]] | date =2004-10-22 | url =http://g4tv.com/games/pc/9320/anarchy-online/review/ | archive-url =https://archive.today/20130124015043/http://g4tv.com/games/pc/9320/anarchy-online/review/ | url-status =dead | archive-date =January 24, 2013 | access-date =2008-09-29}}</ref>
|-
| ''Lost Eden''
| 2006
| expansion
| ''Lost Eden'' was the first expansion released after the original story had ended. It focused almost entirely on player versus player combat, although new dynamic missions were also included. The battle stations were introduced, and the pilotable vehicles for use on them and the land control areas. New weapons and armor affect skills useful against other players. It also introduced the research skill system.<ref name="rev_gradar_le"/>
|-
| ''Legacy of the Xan''
| 2009
| booster
| ''Legacy of the Xan'' focused on "end-game" content for existing players. It added new areas, equipment, and weapons for players whose characters have reached a high level.<ref>{{cite press release |title=New Booster Pack Coming for Anarchy Online! |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2009-02-13 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS165032+13-Feb-2009+BW20090213 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910030105/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS165032+13-Feb-2009+BW20090213 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-10 |access-date=2008-09-29}}</ref>
|}

===Free Play program {{anchor|Free Play Program}}===<!-- This section is linked from [[Froobie]], [[Froob]], and [[Fr00b]] -->
[[File:Anarchy Online Billboard.jpg|thumb|right|alt=A billboard standing against a wall in a futuristic city during a rain shower. An armored man, about half its size, stands nearby looking at it. Billboard displays advertisement reading "Don't just play video games, inspire them. U.S. Air Force"|A billboard in a city controlled by the neutral faction showing an advertisement for the [[United States Air Force]]; the revenue generated by [[Massive Incorporated]]'s advertising aids in keeping the game free to play.<ref name=bizY/>]]

In December 2004, Funcom replaced trial subscriptions with a business model supported by [[in-game advertising]] called the "Free Play" program.<ref name=bizY>{{cite web |url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050224/245421_1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050305071225/http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/050224/245421_1.html |title=Anarchy Online to serve in-game ads |access-date=2008-08-16 |date=2005-02-24 |archive-date=2005-03-05|publisher=[[Yahoo]]}}</ref> Under this program, new players are allowed indefinite access to the full original game without supplying a credit card number. With the exception of the first booster pack ''Notum Wars'', the offer does not include access to content added with expansion or booster packs. Free subscribers are shown advertisements provided by [[Massive Incorporated]], a company that supplies in-game advertising. The ads appear on virtual billboards placed in high traffic areas of the game world. Paying customers have the option to replace these ads with ones for fictitious products related to the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6115157.html |title=Anarchy Online tries free model |access-date=2008-08-16 |author=Surette, Time |date=2004-12-15 |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220002918/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6115157.html |archive-date=2006-02-20}}</ref> Free subscribers may also purchase paid points to participate in micro-transactions and purchase in-game items that do not directly impact combat related gameplay.<ref name="anarchy-online.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2351&table=CONTENT |title=Anarchy Online·:.· :. .· .Account·:.· : .· .Paid Points Questions·:.· : .· . |access-date=2011-06-28 |archive-date=2011-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726073359/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2351&table=CONTENT |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Free Play program was originally set to last one year, but its length has been extended every year since its creation. As of April 2020, the free to play program still exists. Former game director Craig Morrison stated in a 2008 interview that the program has been a vital part of the success of the game.<ref name=seven_aniv>{{cite web|url=http://aovault.ign.com/View.php?view=Articles.Detail&id=89 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522120443/http://aovault.ign.com/View.php?view=Articles.Detail&id=89 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-22 |title=Interview with Silirrion – 7 Year Anniversary |access-date=2008-09-03 |year=2008 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> In January 2008, Funcom rebranded their subscription model as a "tier subscription system", adding a third options for customers to access to the game. Customers can access the original game and ''Notum Wars'' booster pack for free via the Free Play program, pay the full monthly subscription fee for access to all expansion and booster packs, or pay a reduced monthly fee for access to only the ''Shadowlands'' expansion pack.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Funcom introduces tiered subscription system in Anarchy Online |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2008-01-21 |url=http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1259&table=CONTENT |access-date=2010-03-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902191917/http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1259&table=CONTENT |archive-date=2010-09-02 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Shadowlands''-only option was later removed.

===Present===
The "Free Play" program, started in 2004, allows new players indefinite access to the original game in return for viewing in-game advertisements. Vital to the game's continued operation, the program created 400,000 new subscriptions in its first ten months, and had generated US$1 million in advertising revenue by 2006.<ref>see: http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2640&table=CONTENT {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811230531/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2640&table=CONTENT |date=2011-08-11}} - Friday With Means - May 27th, 2011; http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2638&table=CONTENT {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926235501/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2638&table=CONTENT |date=2011-09-26}} - Friday With Means - May 13th, 2011</ref>

By June 2007 Funcom began to update the game's [[Rendering (computer graphics)|3D rendering engine]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Morrison, Craig "Sillirrion" |url=http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showthread.php?t=498971  |title=Letter from the Game Director |access-date=2010-03-15 |date=2007-05-27 | publisher=[[Funcom]]| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100206044642/http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showthread.php?t=498971| archive-date= 6 February 2010 |url-status= live}}</ref> While the current engine — Funcom's proprietary Dreamworld — had received incremental improvements with the ''Notum Wars'' booster in 2002 and ''Shadowlands'' expansion in 2003, the 2008 announcement stated that it would be completely replaced with more modern software to "release the game fresh".<ref name="rev_notum_ign"/><ref name="rev_ign_sl"/><ref name=drop_ogre/> Originally, a modified version of the [[open-source software|open-source]] rendering engine [[OGRE]] was used.<ref name=drop_ogre/> Funcom released a short video demonstrating an early version of its implementation, and said that it would be completed by the end of 2008.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/anarchy-online/847191p1.html |title=Funcom Introduces Tiered Subscription System in Anarchy Online |access-date=2009-09-29 |date=2008-01-23 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |archive-date=2008-10-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020052210/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/anarchy-online/847191p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2438&table=CONTENT |title=Render Trailer |access-date=2009-09-29 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |archive-date=2008-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728055435/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2438&table=CONTENT |url-status=live}}</ref> OGRE was dropped in May 2009 because it did not provide "the full featureset" they had anticipated. Current game director Colin Cragg revealed that ''Anarchy Online''{{'}}s "small development team" could not afford the "growing [cost] estimates" involved in making the necessary modifications to it.<ref name=drop_ogre>{{cite web | author=Cragg, Colin | url=http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showthread.php?t=553916 | title=Friday with Means: May 22, 2009 | access-date=2009-05-22 | date=2009-05-22 | publisher=[[Funcom]] | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090611222803/http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showthread.php?t=553916 | archive-date= 11 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref name="Company info"/>

Funcom decided to instead use a recent version of the Dreamworld engine, the same version used for their 2008 MMORPG ''Age of Conan''.<ref name="Company info">{{cite web |url=http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1007&table=PUBLISH&item=1007 |title=Company info |access-date=2009-07-26 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729031234/http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1007&table=PUBLISH&item=1007 |archive-date=2008-07-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref> This new engine features improved water rendering, [[Particle system|particle effects]], and character animation. It also includes incremental improvements to technologies already used in ''Anarchy Online'', such as the dynamic weather system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/671/671195p2.html |title=Age of Conan – Hyborian Adventures Peek #3 |page=3 |access-date=2010-03-11 |publisher=IGN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110317142834/http://rpgvault.ign.com/articles/671/671195p2.html |archive-date=2011-03-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1098&table=CONTENT&item=1004 | title=Funcom Brings SpeedTree RT Into Age of Conan | access-date=2010-03-11 | publisher=[[Funcom]] | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170418/http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1098&table=CONTENT&item=1004 | archive-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> No new release date has been announced, although periodic status updates are published in the game's official weekly development [[blog]] ''Friday With Means''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2449&table=CONTENT |title=Friday With Means |access-date=2010-02-26 |publisher=[[Funcom]]<!--DASHBot--> |archive-date=2010-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304064528/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2449&table=CONTENT |url-status=live}}</ref>

Also introduced in 2008, Funcom added micro-transactions to the game called ''paid points'', which may be acquired through several ways. First, players may purchase them outright via their account management page, which then becomes available to their characters in game. Alternatively, players are also awarded bonus ''paid points'' based on number of months of subscription purchased.<ref name="anarchy-online.com"/> These ''paid points'' may be used to purchase items that were given as pre-order bonuses such as a fully decor-able apartment in game, or newly created vehicles that are otherwise not available through in-game currency called ''credits''.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&func_id=1112&navID=1003,1005,1053,1112&table=PUBLISH&template=drill |title=Anarchy Online·:.· :. .· .Premium Content·:.· : .· . |access-date=2011-06-28 |archive-date=2011-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629232849/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=frontend.show&table=PUBLISH&template=drill&func_id=1112&navID=1003,1005,1053,1112 |url-status=live}}</ref> All items available for purchase with ''paid points'' are strictly cosmetic in nature, with the exception of a ''Personal Scout Mech'', a combat vehicle that was a pre-order bonus for the ''Lost Eden'' expansion.<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

In 2010, the player community became involved in development of the game, with community-created inventory icons and planet map being accepted into the official game.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2581&table=CONTENT |title=Anarchy Online·:.· :. .· .Front·:.· : .· .Friday with Means - July 30th, 2010 - Go Go Community! ·:.· : .· . |access-date=2010-08-03 |archive-date=2010-09-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903144257/http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2581&table=CONTENT |url-status=live}}</ref>

A game engine upgrade was originally slated for release in 2013. The new engine, also used for ''[[Age of Conan]]'' and ''[[The Secret World]]'', was planned to be supported concurrently with the previous engine.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/10/feature/6234/Anarchy-Online-Fia-Tjernberg-Interview-New-Engine-Video.html|title = Fia Tjernberg Interview & New Engine Video|date = 27 March 2012|access-date = 27 March 2012|archive-date = 30 March 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120330002902/http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/10/feature/6234/Anarchy-Online-Fia-Tjernberg-Interview-New-Engine-Video.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2677&table=CONTENT|title=Anarchy Online·:.· :. .· .Community News·:.· : .· .New Engine Teaser Video!·:.· : .· .|website=archive.anarchy-online.com}}</ref>

This new 'dreamworld' engine was successfully released to the public for use on the live servers on June 25, 2015. While the engine is still in a 'beta' state, it is available for use with the 'live' production servers.

===Server mergers===
For much of its existence, ''Anarchy Online'' featured two game [[Server (computing)|servers]] for English-speaking players, Atlantean and Rimor, and one for German-speaking players, Die Neue Welt. In 2010, Die Neue Welt was brought offline with most of its player population distributed between the two English-speaking servers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showthread.php?t=570749 |title=Update on Transfer from DNW to RK1 and RK2 |access-date=1 Apr 2013 |author=Community Director Means |date=2010-02-25 |publisher=[[Anarchy Online Forums]]}}</ref> In 2013, the two remaining English servers, Atlantean and Rimor merged to form a single unifying server to host remaining ''Anarchy Online'' players.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/anarchy-online-set-to-finally-merge-servers/ |title=Anarchy Online Set to Finally Merge Servers |access-date=1 Apr 2013 |author=Lefebvre, Eliot |date=2013-02-25 |publisher=[[Massively by Joystiq]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228210534/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/02/25/anarchy-online-set-to-finally-merge-servers |archive-date=28 February 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Music==
Following an innovative concept for the release time, game's music was thought to stick interactively with ingame actions, taking many parameters into account (area, faction, activity, danger, time, etc.). To accomplish this, the various musical tracks of the game were divided into 1400 sound files of 5 to 10 seconds in order to adapt in realtime to any event.

Their musical composition was done before game release and then following various extensions by several musicians: first and mainly, composers Morten Sørlie, Tor Linløkken and Bjørn Arve Lagim on classic game and then its ''Shadowlands'' expansion; a part of these works were released through two Compact Disc volumes in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Morten-S%C3%B8rlie-Tor-Linl%C3%B8kken-Bj%C3%B8rn-Arve-Lagim-Anarchy-Online-Original-Soundtrack-Vol-01/release/10089169|title=AO Original Soundtrack Vol 1|author=Funcom|website=[[Discogs]]|date=2001-02-22|access-date=2017-06-30}}</ref> and 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Morten-S%C3%B8rlie-Tor-Linl%C3%B8kken-Bj%C3%B8rn-Arve-Lagim-Anarchy-Online-Original-Soundtrack-Vol-02/release/854556|title=AO Original Soundtrack Vol 2|author=Funcom|website=[[Discogs]]|date=2004-03-10|access-date=2017-06-30}}</ref> Composer Leon Willett joined in for ''Lost Eden'' extension in 2006 and electro band Ayria in 2009 during the addition of the virtual club named "The Grind" accessible ingame from ICC.

All the music linked to the game, unreleased and animated series included, were gathered into a collection of 4 volumes of 56 tracks free to download (packed with all visuals to self-print CDs & booklets) through Steam<ref>{{cite web|url=http://store.steampowered.com/app/396280/Anarchy_Online/|title=AO Music Collection 2017|author=Funcom|date=2017-06-30|access-date=2017-06-30|archive-date=2017-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623071353/http://store.steampowered.com/app/396280/Anarchy_Online|url-status=live}}</ref> for AO's 16th birthday.

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 69%<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/913777-anarchy-online/index.html |title=Anarchy Online for PC |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2019-07-15 |archive-date=2019-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715073113/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/913777-anarchy-online/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref>
| MC = 72/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/anarchy-online/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Anarchy Online for PC Reviews |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=2019-07-15 |archive-date=2019-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121181901/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/anarchy-online |url-status=live}}</ref>
| G4 = (''Alien Invasion'') 4/5<ref name="rev_gzone_ai"/>
| GSpot = 7.6/10<ref name="rev_gspot_orig"/><br />(''Shadowlands'') 8.5/10<ref name=rev_gspot_sl/>
| GSpy = 79/100<ref name=rev_gspy_orig/><br />(''Shadowlands'') 4/5<ref name=rev_gspy_sl/><br />(''Alien Invasion'') 3.5/5<ref name=rev_gspy_ai/>
| GRadar = (''Lost Eden'') 7/10<ref name=rev_gradar_le/>
| IGN = 7.2/10<ref name=rev_ign_orig/><br />(''Shadowlands'') 8.8/10<ref name=rev_ign_sl/>
}}

After the launch of ''Anarchy Online'' and the subsequent technical problems, Funcom issued a statement to reviewers asking them to hold back on a full review until the studio solved these problems.<ref name=cgm>{{cite web | first=Erik | last=Wolpaw | url=http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/anarchyonl-01-r1.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20040908075650/http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/anarchyonl-01-r1.html | title=Anarchy Online: The rogue review Funcom doesn't want you to read! | access-date=2010-03-10 |date=2001-08-10 | archive-date=2004-09-08 | work=[[Computer Games Magazine]]}}</ref> Some video game reviewers, such as ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'', published reviews anyway; others, such as [[GameSpy]] who described the game as "nearly unplayable", chose to wait one month before publishing a formal review. The troubled release has had a lasting effect on the game's reputation,  and is nearly always mentioned in the generally positive reviews of later expansion packs as a juxtaposition.<ref name="yahoo_launchprob"/><ref name=rev_ign_sl>{{cite web | last =Morrison | first =Craig | title =Anarchy Online: Shadowlands (PC) | publisher =IGN | date =2003-08-18 | url =http://pc.ign.com/articles/450/450381p1.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20030921075343/http://pc.ign.com/articles/450/450381p1.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =September 21, 2003 | access-date = 2008-08-19}}</ref>

While ''Anarchy Online'''s launch problems had a negative effect on initial critics, the game itself was generally reviewed favorably; it scored an average of 7.6 out of 10 from GameSpy, GameSpot, and [[IGN]]. GameSpy later described it as a promising game with some big technical flaws. IGN called it a "brilliant, engaging, profound MMORPG", but added it came with "atrocious" technical problems.<ref name=rev_ign_orig>{{cite web | author =IGN Staff | title =Anarchy Online | publisher =IGN | date =2001-08-21 | url =http://pc.ign.com/articles/161/161500p1.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20020217215046/http://pc.ign.com/articles/161/161500p1.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =February 17, 2002 | access-date = 2008-08-19}}</ref> ''PC Gamer'' magazine said that it "will be the next great MMORPG", but that the game needed "some serious work" before it would reach its potential; they would award the game with ''Best Massively Multiplayer Game'' the next year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Feb_11/ai_82747195 |title=Anarchy Online Wins Best Massively Multiplayer Game |access-date=2008-08-16 |work=BNet Business Network |publisher=[[Business Wire]]|date=2002-02-11}}{{dead link|date=June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=pgm>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel|last=Erikson|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/archives/review_2001-10-04a.htm |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20031206121129/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/archives/review_2001-10-04a.html|title=Anarchy Online|access-date=2010-03-10 |date=2001-10-01 |archive-date=2003-12-06 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]]}}</ref>

''Computer Games Magazine'' described ''Anarchy Online'' as a "'science-fiction' ''[[EverQuest]]''" (which was a popular fantasy MMORPG at the time) in that it took the traditional fantasy elements of the genre and gave them "science-y sounding" words. They went on to praise the game's large, detailed game world, and its "evolutionary" user interface.<ref name=cgm/> GameSpy said the game's soundtrack was "grand, cinematic, and very appropriate" in their review.<ref name=rev_gspy_orig>{{cite web|last=Law |first=Caryn |title=Anarchy Online |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/july01/anarchy/ |access-date=2008-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917201101/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/july01/anarchy/ |archive-date=17 September 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''PC Gamer'' magazine said that the intricate skill system gave the game "incredible character depth".<ref name=pgm/>

The dynamic mission system was met with mixed reviews. ''PC Gamer'' called it a "brilliant" solution to camping — the practice of waiting for a computer - controlled character in the outdoor game world to appear so that it can be killed and items looted.<ref name=pgm/> ''Computer Games Magazine'' said that while the missions were a good idea in theory, they are "too simple and similar", claiming that this caused players to become bored and camp for items outside anyway. Visually, they called the missions "cramped, boxy, and generally unappealing", compared to the rest of the game.<ref name=cgm/>

The editors of ''[[PC Gamer US]]'' later named ''Anarchy Online'' the best massively multiplayer game of 2001. They wrote that after ''AO''{{'}}s abysmal launch and well-deserved public drubbing, Funcom dedicated itself to fixing the game's major problems and the result was admirable.<ref name=pcgamerusawards2002>{{cite journal | date=March 2002 | title=The Eighth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=9 | number=3 | pages=32, 33, 36, 36, 37, 40, 42 | journal=[[PC Gamer US]] | author=Staff}}</ref>

The first booster pack ''Notum Wars'' was released in 2002; at that time, the first expansion pack ''Shadowlands'' had already been announced. Staci Krause of IGN noted the new character creation interface made the game's introduction to new players easier. The "land control" areas, one of the major additions in ''Notum Wars'', were described by Krause as "not only interesting, but fun". She also said that the new additions to the game world, and improvements to the 3D rendering engine, "add to the sense that Rubi-Ka is a busy planet".<ref name="rev_notum_ign"/> Yahoo! criticized the land control areas as being complicated and expensive, and said that participation in battles was difficult for players not in an organization.<ref name="yahoo_launchprob"/> During the [[6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] nominated ''Notum Wars'' for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Massive Multiplayer/Persistent World Game of the Year]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=478 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=9 August 2023}}</ref>

The ''Shadowlands'' expansion was the most critically acclaimed by far, winning several ''Editor's Choice'' Awards from IGN, [[CNet]], GameSpot, GameSpy and others in 2003.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Free 7 Day Trial of Anarchy Online now includes access to Shadowlands |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2003-10-23 |url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/10_24_03_08_45AM.htm |access-date=2008-08-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002002837/http://www.gamezone.com/news/10_24_03_08_45AM.htm |archive-date=2008-10-02 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Critics applauded the size and scope of it, such as Andrew Park of GameSpot who called it "absolutely enormous".<ref name=rev_gspot_sl/><ref name=rev_ign_sl/> Tom Chick of GameSpy praised the "distinctive and exotic" art direction of the new areas. Critics of ''Shadowlands'' noted that the expansion's design was too "fantasy oriented", as compared to the original game.<ref name=rev_gspy_sl>{{cite web|last=Chick |first=Tom |title=Anarchy Online: Shadowlands (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |date=2003-09-10 |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october03/aoshadowlandspc/ |access-date=2008-08-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705165009/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/october03/aoshadowlandspc |archive-date=July 5, 2008}}</ref>

''Alien Invasion'', released in 2004, did not receive the same abundance of praise as its predecessor, although most scores were above 7 out of 10. The new content it introduced, in critics' eyes, was not designed for new players. [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]] wrote that it would be a "tough sell to new players", but added it "offer[s] existing players a solid reason to keep playing".<ref name=rev_gzone_ai/> GameSpy wrote that the expansion's new features, such as improved user interface and chat system make the game more enjoyable to play.<ref name=rev_gspy_ai>{{cite web | last =Villoria | first =Gerald | title =Anarchy Online: Alien Invasion (PC) | publisher =[[GameSpy]] | date =2004-08-31 | url =http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/anarchy-online-alien-invasion/552408p1.html | access-date =2008-08-19 | archive-date =2008-10-13 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20081013085444/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/anarchy-online-alien-invasion/552408p1.html | url-status =live}}</ref>

After twelve years, ''Anarchy Online'' has become one of the longest-running MMORPGs in operation.<ref>{{cite web | last =Adams | first =David | title =Anarchy Online Finds Lost Eden | publisher =IGN | date =2005-03-06 | url =http://pc.ign.com/articles/610/610838p1.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070318165829/http://pc.ign.com/articles/610/610838p1.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =March 18, 2007 | access-date = 2008-09-29}}</ref> Publications who had reviewed the game's previous additions did not review the ''Lost Eden'' expansion in 2006, or the ''Legacy of The Xan'' booster in 2009. [[GamesRadar+]]'s Sarah Borger wrote of ''Lost Eden'' that the game's aging graphics and user interface "make the world hard to interact with", but she went on to acclaim the new player versus player content it added.<ref name=rev_gradar_le>{{cite web | last =Border | first =Sarah | title =Anarchy Online: Lost Eden | publisher =[[GamesRadar+]] | year =2005 | url =http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/review/anarchy-online-lost-eden/a-2007011910634944032/p-3 | access-date =2008-08-19 | archive-date =2011-06-16 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110616043558/http://www.gamesradar.com/pc/review/anarchy-online-lost-eden/a-2007011910634944032/p-3 | url-status =live}}</ref>

===Sales and subscriptions===
Five days after the game's launch, public relations director Marit Lund announced that "35,000 registered accounts" had been created.<ref name=post_launch_official>{{cite web |first=Marit|last=Lund|url=http://www.anarchy-online.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010812075759/http://216.74.158.92/news/bigNews/statement.html |title=Official Post Launch Statement |access-date=2009-08-16 |date=2001-07-03 | archive-date=2001-08-12|publisher=[[Funcom]]}}</ref><ref>Funcom has periodically stated subscription totals in [[press releases]] and [[financial statements]]. The amounts represent subscriptions "to date", and it is not specified whether canceled subscriptions or limited trial accounts are included.</ref> In the United States, ''Anarchy Online''{{'}}s sales reached 47,356 units by the first week of November 2001, a performance that [[GameSpot]]'s Desslock described as "woeful".<ref name=desslock2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124191748/http://desslock.gamespot.com/#20011123-01 | url=http://desslock.gamespot.com/#20011123-01 | title=Desslock's Ramblings - ''Wizardry 8'' Arrives, Kinda; RPG Sales Stats Updated | author=Desslock | date=November 23, 2001 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=November 24, 2001 | url-status=dead}}</ref> By 2002, the total number of subscriptions created since launch was stated as 150,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/237/Anarchy_Online_Turns_One.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407051251/http://www.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/237/Anarchy_Online_Turns_One.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2010-04-07 |title=Anarchy Online Turns One |access-date=2008-08-16 |date=2002-06-28 |publisher=GameWorld Network}}</ref> After the release of the ''Shadowlands'' and ''Alien Invasion'' expansion packs, total subscriptions had risen to 700,000 in late 2004.<ref name=threeYears/> Sales of the game, its expansion packs, and monthly customer subscriptions had generated [[United States dollar|US$]]28 million dollars by 2005.<ref name=finReportQ42005/>

The "free play" program, started in 2004, has had the most significant effect on subscriptions to date. More than 400,000 players signed up for free subscriptions in the program's first ten months according to Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas.<ref name=CEOfreeplay/> The next year, the number of free subscriptions created, independent of paid subscriptions, was stated as one million.<ref name="Funcom">{{cite press release |title=Funcom extends unique free offer in Anarchy Online to 2009 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2006-10-27 |url=http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1160&table=CONTENT&item=1004 |access-date=2008-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604183005/http://www.funcom.com/wsp/funcom/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&func_id=1160&table=CONTENT&item=1004 |archive-date=2008-06-04 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The income from the program—which had generated $1,000,000 by its second year—supplements revenue from paid accounts.<ref name=finReportQ42005/><ref name=finReportQ42006/>

Funcom attributed "higher than expected" company profits in 2006 to ''Lost Eden'''s release in December of that year.<ref name=finReportQ42006/><ref name=gamasutraFCProfits/> Subscription revenue during this time was described as "steady" and "profitable". Subscription revenue remained "steady" for the next three years, until 2009 when they were described as "slowly declining".<ref name=finReportQ32008/><ref name=finReportQ12009/> It was said that close to two million subscriptions, both free and paid, had been created by July 2008.<ref name=7yearInterview/>

==Notes and references==
;General
* {{cite web | url=http://www.anarchy-online.com/anarchy/frontend/files/CONTENT/gameguide.pdf | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150413010639/http://www.anarchy-online.com/anarchy/frontend/files/CONTENT/gameguide.pdf | archive-date=April 13, 2015 | title=Getting Started on Rubi-Ka | access-date=May 27, 2019 | publisher=[[Funcom]] | work = Game Guide | ref=Rubi-Ka}}

;Specific
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em|refs=

<!--FINANCIAL REPORTS-->
<ref name=finReportQ12009>{{Citation | author = [[Funcom]] | title = Q1 2009 15 May 2009 | publisher = [[Funcom]] | page = 6 | year = 2009 | url = http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=219276_FUNCOM-Q109-presentation.pdf&attId=66845 | access-date = 20 August 2009 | archive-date = 14 August 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814010449/http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=219276_FUNCOM-Q109-presentation.pdf&attId=66845 | url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name=finReportQ32008>{{Citation | author = [[Funcom]] | title = Q3 2008 November 12th 2008 | publisher = [[Funcom]] | page = 4 | year = 2008 | url = http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=081112_Funcom_Q308_presentation_final.pdf&attId=60510 | access-date = 2009-08-20 | archive-date = 2012-08-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814010338/http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=081112_Funcom_Q308_presentation_final.pdf&attId=60510 | url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name=finReportQ42006>{{Citation | author = [[Funcom]] | title = Q4 2006 Feb 15, 2007 | publisher = [[Funcom]] | pages = 3; 7 | year = 2007 | url = http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=070215_Funcom_Q406_presentation.pdf&attId=39483 | access-date = August 20, 2009 | archive-date = August 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814010254/http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=070215_Funcom_Q406_presentation.pdf&attId=39483 | url-status = live}}</ref>
<ref name=finReportQ42005>{{Citation | author = [[Funcom]] | title = Q4 2005 Results Feb 16, 2006 | publisher = [[Funcom]] | pages = 3; 12 | year = 2006 | url = http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=060215_FCQ405_presentation.pdf&attId=31168 | access-date = August 20, 2009 | archive-date = August 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120814010209/http://www.newsweb.no/newsweb/attachment.do?name=060215_FCQ405_presentation.pdf&attId=31168 | url-status = live}}</ref>

<!--INTERVIEWS-->
<ref name=7yearInterview>{{cite press release |title=Funcom Celebrates 7 Years of Anarchy Online |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2008-06-01 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS138988+01-Jul-2008+BW20080701 |access-date=2008-08-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109232326/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS138988+01-Jul-2008+BW20080701 |archive-date=2009-01-09 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<!--PRESS RELEASES-->
<ref name=threeYears>{{cite press release |url=http://internetgames.about.com/b/2004/06/27/anarchy-online-turns-three.htm |title=Anarchy Online Turns Three |access-date=2009-08-16 |publisher=[[Funcom]] |date=2004-06-27 |archive-date=2008-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925220919/http://internetgames.about.com/b/2004/06/27/anarchy-online-turns-three.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!--OTHER-->
<ref name=gamasutraFCProfits>{{cite web |first=Leigh |last=ALexander |url=http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17261 |title=Funcom Q4 Losses Up With Age of Conan Preparation |access-date=2008-08-16 |date=2008-01-06 |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=2008-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624114523/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17261 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=CEOfreeplay>{{cite web |first=Simon |last=Carless |title=Funcom Extends Anarchy Online Free Offer |publisher=[[Gamasutra]] |date=2005-09-13 |url=http://gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6503 |access-date=2009-08-15 |archive-date=2009-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112145612/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=6503 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Anarchy Online}}
* [http://www.anarchy-online.com/ Official ''Anarchy Online'' website]
* [http://www.anarchy-online.com/wsp/anarchy/frontend.cgi?func=publish.show&template=content&func_id=2319&table=CONTENT Prophet Without Honor (Anarchy Online Book 1)]

{{Funcom}}

[[Category:Funcom games]]
[[Category:Science fiction massively multiplayer online role-playing games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Norway]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Free-to-play video games]]