It's quite funny that the latest incarnations of old-time SRPG games are becoming richer, more varied and definitely non-linear - just look at Oblivion and Fallout 3. Meanwhile, MMORPG which used to be sophisticated and open-ended, like UO and old-style SWG, are now becomingh limited and linear.
I agree that it does seem that way, doesn't it?
I have to say that the year 2009, widely regarded as a steaming pile of pooh for the MMO industry at large may be just what the industry needed. A kck in the pants.
There needs to be diversity in both single player and mmo. SP just got Dragon Age which is a lot different than Fallout. Even in these forums, where supposedly the most knowledgable mmo players hang, there seems to be a forming of battle lines as if to say "there is only this way and no other".
It would be like me saying that Rush is my favorite band and anyone who doesn't agree is somehow flawed or stupid. We have divresity in music, movies, books, single-player games... why not mmos?
For that matter, why shouldn't every movie maker now aspire to produce the next Avatar? That's exactly what would happen if the movie industry aligned itself with the unenlightened mmo industry.
It's quite funny that the latest incarnations of old-time SRPG games are becoming richer, more varied and definitely non-linear - just look at Oblivion and Fallout 3. Meanwhile, MMORPG which used to be sophisticated and open-ended, like UO and old-style SWG, are now becomingh limited and linear.
I agree that it does seem that way, doesn't it?
I have to say that the year 2009, widely regarded as a steaming pile of pooh for the MMO industry at large may be just what the industry needed. A kck in the pants.
There needs to be diversity in both single player and mmo. SP just got Dragon Age which is a lot different than Fallout. Even in these forums, where supposedly the most knowledgable mmo players hang, there seems to be a forming of battle lines as if to say "there is only this way and no other".
It would be like me saying that Rush is my favorite band and anyone who doesn't agree is somehow flawed or stupid. We have divresity in music, movies, books, single-player games... why not mmos?
For that matter, why shouldn't every movie maker now aspire to produce the next Avatar? That's exactly what would happen if the movie industry aligned itself with the unenlightened mmo industry.
This is a good industry comparison that I often bring up. The difference is that the film industry is a century old while MMO barely a decade. And in the movie industry it has been proven that a film product for $50,000 can make the same or money than a film produced for $200,000,000. Furthermore, this is proven and re-proven several times each year. So this is the reason movies don't all strive to be the next Avatar, because it's possible NOT to be.
The only "cinderella story" of the MMO industry has been EVE and even that hasn't hit anywhere near the numbers considered "blockbuster".
Plus filmmaking has artistic funding, counter-programming, set niche markets and studios.
In the MMO world of today (which hopefully will evolve) it just has not been possible to "build on the cheap". You can easily make a great film without special effects, but making a successful MMO without graphics (or up-to-date graphics)? A lot tougher.
Plus, no one is funding games for their artistic value (yet) so pretty much everyone's focus is on running it like a business for the highest return.
Anyhow, good post, but I'm afraid you over-estimate people's ability to discuss or argue while still respecting conflicting points of view.
"Id rather work on something with great potential than on fulfilling a promise of mediocrity."
- Raph Koster
Tried: AO,EQ,EQ2,DAoC,SWG,AA,SB,HZ,CoX,PS,GA,TR,IV,GnH,EVE, PP,DnL,WAR,MxO,SWG,FE,VG,AoC,DDO,LoTRO,Rift,TOR,Aion,Tera,TSW,GW2,DCUO,CO,STO Favourites: AO,SWG,EVE,TR,LoTRO,TSW,EQ2, Firefall Currently Playing: ESO
I had zero interest in this game but hearing how its structured has made me curious enough to give it a go when it is released and see how they pull it off.
Comments
I agree that it does seem that way, doesn't it?
I have to say that the year 2009, widely regarded as a steaming pile of pooh for the MMO industry at large may be just what the industry needed. A kck in the pants.
There needs to be diversity in both single player and mmo. SP just got Dragon Age which is a lot different than Fallout. Even in these forums, where supposedly the most knowledgable mmo players hang, there seems to be a forming of battle lines as if to say "there is only this way and no other".
It would be like me saying that Rush is my favorite band and anyone who doesn't agree is somehow flawed or stupid. We have divresity in music, movies, books, single-player games... why not mmos?
For that matter, why shouldn't every movie maker now aspire to produce the next Avatar? That's exactly what would happen if the movie industry aligned itself with the unenlightened mmo industry.
I agree that it does seem that way, doesn't it?
I have to say that the year 2009, widely regarded as a steaming pile of pooh for the MMO industry at large may be just what the industry needed. A kck in the pants.
There needs to be diversity in both single player and mmo. SP just got Dragon Age which is a lot different than Fallout. Even in these forums, where supposedly the most knowledgable mmo players hang, there seems to be a forming of battle lines as if to say "there is only this way and no other".
It would be like me saying that Rush is my favorite band and anyone who doesn't agree is somehow flawed or stupid. We have divresity in music, movies, books, single-player games... why not mmos?
For that matter, why shouldn't every movie maker now aspire to produce the next Avatar? That's exactly what would happen if the movie industry aligned itself with the unenlightened mmo industry.
This is a good industry comparison that I often bring up. The difference is that the film industry is a century old while MMO barely a decade. And in the movie industry it has been proven that a film product for $50,000 can make the same or money than a film produced for $200,000,000. Furthermore, this is proven and re-proven several times each year. So this is the reason movies don't all strive to be the next Avatar, because it's possible NOT to be.
The only "cinderella story" of the MMO industry has been EVE and even that hasn't hit anywhere near the numbers considered "blockbuster".
Plus filmmaking has artistic funding, counter-programming, set niche markets and studios.
In the MMO world of today (which hopefully will evolve) it just has not been possible to "build on the cheap". You can easily make a great film without special effects, but making a successful MMO without graphics (or up-to-date graphics)? A lot tougher.
Plus, no one is funding games for their artistic value (yet) so pretty much everyone's focus is on running it like a business for the highest return.
Anyhow, good post, but I'm afraid you over-estimate people's ability to discuss or argue while still respecting conflicting points of view.
"Id rather work on something with great potential than on fulfilling a promise of mediocrity."
- Raph Koster
Tried: AO,EQ,EQ2,DAoC,SWG,AA,SB,HZ,CoX,PS,GA,TR,IV,GnH,EVE, PP,DnL,WAR,MxO,SWG,FE,VG,AoC,DDO,LoTRO,Rift,TOR,Aion,Tera,TSW,GW2,DCUO,CO,STO
Favourites: AO,SWG,EVE,TR,LoTRO,TSW,EQ2, Firefall
Currently Playing: ESO
I had zero interest in this game but hearing how its structured has made me curious enough to give it a go when it is released and see how they pull it off.
Jam is sticky.