All these new MMOs seem to care about is being grittier and more realistic than the last. As "revolutionary" as AoC may or may not be, WAR will be the next big game because people just aren't attracted to boring. Don't get me wrong, I like (not love) the world of Conan, but a great MMORPG setting it is not. As much as I'd like to see a small company break out and come out with a truly great game, without big time publishing support, it will never get the publicity needed to truly to capture a worthy % of the market. You can make a great game with a PvP focus... and it should never be added as an afterthought... but without great design and setting, you'll never truly be able to reach to top. Far too many MMORPGs, especially the so called PvP ones, feature such bland, uninspired settings populated with drab, boring characters.
The market there is literally three to four times that of North America and Europe put together. And the funny thing is, there are other MMO's in Asia that laugh at WoW's "Paltry" 10 million subs. Imagine that? You would have to imagine that, since it's not true. Which Asian games have 50 million paying subscribers? The population in Asia is bigger, but the market is not. If you take out the people selling gold to Western's and Aussies the market is really quite small. I played EQ on a server that had a prominent korean and japanese guild (as well as a Brazilian one). I didn't survey all the servers, but I am sure mine wasn't unique in that aspect. Korea's #1 selling game of all time (last I heard) was a game called Starcraft, you may have heard of it...
Ahem! Check the stats on Maple Story, then come back and talk. Then check Lineage 2, not to mention countless others. There's over a billion people in China alone! A dev would have to be foolish not wanting to tap into that market. Heck! It was said that Pandaran's were left out of WoW because it is illegal to portray Panda's, in any form, being hurt or killed. When a country and simply say "No" and have Blizzard listen, well, lets just say that accounts for clout.
We North Americans need to relalize there are more people out there than our small little part of the market. Those that do tend to be more successful. But hey, don't take my word for it, ask the folks at Blizzard who makes millions MONTHLY on their subscriptions.
Korea's #1 game might be Starcraft, but we're discussing MMO's here, stay on topic! Starcraft might provide multiplayer action, but it is NOT an MMO.
Ahem, Maple Story is Free to Play. Lineage has under 2 million subscribers. If anyone is laughing, besides me at you, it's Blizzard.
The US's GDP is roughly 4 times that of China's and 12 times the size of Indias. (EU is 5 times as much China), So your big untapped market has the about 11% of the GDP of your little market. Then when you start talking about disposable income, the descrepancy would be even greater. Did you know that the majoriy of Chinese players don't even own computers, and that the government is looking at ways to restrict their gameplay?
Facts, they're a bitch but it's better to live with them than without them.
And Starcraft was made by company called Blizzard, who also made World of Warcraft, which was my point about them realizing the potential for Asian customers. You're both arguing that WoW ignores Asia then say that they changed their game so they can sell it in China (which of course is nonsense, but you said it), so quit making things up and quit contradicting yourself, please.
one that will come from a relatively unknown company, with unknown people who do it, not for profit, but for a love of the game. It is my belief that being limited by the demands of investors limit creativity and often result in games that are released WAY too early, often leading to their unfortunate demise. It's my hope that soon, one will rise from the ranks that will establish itself as a true, 3rd generation MMO. Are there any takers out there?
That sounds to me like Jumpgate Evolution, but I have a feeling they'll make it too "easy" for the veteran Jumpgate pilots to like it, and too "hard" for casual MMO players to enjoy having to actually fly their own ship. With any luck, they'll prove me wrong...
Comments
All these new MMOs seem to care about is being grittier and more realistic than the last. As "revolutionary" as AoC may or may not be, WAR will be the next big game because people just aren't attracted to boring. Don't get me wrong, I like (not love) the world of Conan, but a great MMORPG setting it is not. As much as I'd like to see a small company break out and come out with a truly great game, without big time publishing support, it will never get the publicity needed to truly to capture a worthy % of the market. You can make a great game with a PvP focus... and it should never be added as an afterthought... but without great design and setting, you'll never truly be able to reach to top. Far too many MMORPGs, especially the so called PvP ones, feature such bland, uninspired settings populated with drab, boring characters.
We North Americans need to relalize there are more people out there than our small little part of the market. Those that do tend to be more successful. But hey, don't take my word for it, ask the folks at Blizzard who makes millions MONTHLY on their subscriptions.
Korea's #1 game might be Starcraft, but we're discussing MMO's here, stay on topic! Starcraft might provide multiplayer action, but it is NOT an MMO.
Ahem, Maple Story is Free to Play. Lineage has under 2 million subscribers. If anyone is laughing, besides me at you, it's Blizzard.
The US's GDP is roughly 4 times that of China's and 12 times the size of Indias. (EU is 5 times as much China), So your big untapped market has the about 11% of the GDP of your little market. Then when you start talking about disposable income, the descrepancy would be even greater. Did you know that the majoriy of Chinese players don't even own computers, and that the government is looking at ways to restrict their gameplay?
Facts, they're a bitch but it's better to live with them than without them.
And Starcraft was made by company called Blizzard, who also made World of Warcraft, which was my point about them realizing the potential for Asian customers. You're both arguing that WoW ignores Asia then say that they changed their game so they can sell it in China (which of course is nonsense, but you said it), so quit making things up and quit contradicting yourself, please.
That sounds to me like Jumpgate Evolution, but I have a feeling they'll make it too "easy" for the veteran Jumpgate pilots to like it, and too "hard" for casual MMO players to enjoy having to actually fly their own ship. With any luck, they'll prove me wrong...