Illarion is a perfect example of how tight-knit communities defy gaming trends. That game’s been chugging since 2000
Players didn’t just log in they built decades-long bonds. Guilds became friend groups, weddings happened in-game, real-life meetups organically formed.
When tech aged, the community modded it themselves. No corporate roadmap just veterans teaching newbies how to code quests or fix bugs.
Side note: Ever notice how these legacy communities self-police? Toxicity rarely takes root when everyone’s on a first-name basis for 10+ years. Funny how human connection solves problems no report system ever could.