MMORPG is merely an acronym for a compound word "Massively multiplayer online role-playing game". The definition of Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is obviously far more complex than the sum of it's words.

ESO lacks interdependent group play, and is therefore not an MMORPG.

For instance, Matt Firor in an interview was using the phrase Online RPG to describe the current direction of the game.

ESO Devs stay away from the term MMORPG strictly for the TES Fan base. If they start calling it an MMO the TES fans will feel alienated and will feel their precious game is being ruined. They need to cater to both the TES fans and the MMO Fans. MMO Fans don't care if it is called MMORPG some companies call their games Persistent Online Shooters (POS) so obviously the MMO fans will even play a POS they can't care.

And how does ESO lack Interdependent group play? Dungeons, Questing, Adventure Zones, not to mention the mass scale PvP that can be done with a small of 4 player groups.

It's a Role Playering Game - Check. = RPG.

It's Online - Check = Online.

It's Multiplayer - check = Multiplayer.

There are battles with massive amounts of players, there are guilds and presumably group content too - check = Massive.

Sounds like an MMORPG to me.

/thread

Peddle your wares elsewhere, friend. Nobody is buying it here.

This is basically just continuing conversation from the previous locked thread. As I'm still not even done wading through the moderation on that topic, I'm closing this one too.