Tab Targeting vs Action Combat: Reviving The 'Ancient' MMO Debate

Throne and Liberty launched in early access last Thursday, and while much of the conversation has focused on the MMO's business model and accusations of «pay-to-win» mechanics, I’d like to shift the discussion to a different topic: Tab Targeting. Although I haven't had as much time as I'd like to explore the game (thanks to Hurricane Helene!), I’ve played enough to get a decent feel for the flow of combat. As someone with a long history of MMO and MMORPG experiences dating back to 1996, I have a few thoughts on the matter.

With every new MMO release, the same debate inevitably resurfaces. If the game uses tab targeting, some claim: «This is an outdated mechanic!» Others lament if it’s action combat: «I wish we had tab targeting. I can’t keep up with all the hyperactive movement.» The truth is, not every game will please everyone. Every MMO has its own design quirks that appeal to specific audiences, and that’s okay. However, one recurring argument I’d like to address is the notion that tab targeting is «ancient.» Is it really? Let's take a step back and examine the history of MMOs to see if that holds.

By definition, «ancient» refers to something from the distant past that no longer exists. So, strictly speaking, tab targeting can't be considered ancient. If we look at gaming history, I’d say that mechanics from before the 1990s might qualify as ancient—things that, while still around, feel old-fashioned. And this is where I believe people are coming from when they call tab targeting ancient. However, they often forget that the first 3D MMORPG, Meridian 59, was action-based.

Even older than that were MUDs (Multi-User Dungeons), which were text-based and didn’t have any targeting mechanics at all. In fact, tab targeting is relatively young compared to action combat. Don’t believe me? Check out a video of Meridian 59 (via MMO YouTuber Josh Strife Hayes) and you'll see it’s closer to Doom than you might expect, but still qualifies as action combat.

All this is to say: