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How to break the current MMO mold

Nightshade44Nightshade44 Member Posts: 58
in The Pub at MMORPG.COM
It seems to me that lately, all of the recent MMOs are being developed out of a standard template, basically making them cookiecutter versions of each other with different skins, and in some cases with the same skin... This is disturbing to me. So my question is, what will it take to break free from this mold that the MMO developers seem to be modeling their games after. What game will be the first SUCCESSFUL game to actually do this, if any? A few years back, there was a decent amount of diversity in MMOs, from what I recall, as far as genre and even basic game mechanics... but since then, games have flopped and new endeavors have been made to "out-do" one of the most successful MMOs to date. But I think perhaps the developers have gone about this all wrong... instead of trying to make a similar game to another, why don't they simply try something new and original... Something that hasn't been done yet, or perhaps something that has been done before (that ultimately failed) but improve where they did not.



/discuss

_________________________________
Currently without MMO

Anticipating: Aion - Tower of Eternity
Veteran: Star Wars Galaxies
Veteran: The Matrix Online

Comments

  • ReturnF1reReturnF1re Member Posts: 5
    I don't think the problem is really creating new games, but rather, the problem seems to be making a game that people will play. We could create all the new games we wanted with, new this, new that, and a totally different whatever, but that isn't going to make people play it. By 'copying' old, successful, MMOs,  companies hope that familiarity will draw in more customers, and make a bigger profit because of it. There will be change though, as eventually gamers will get tired of the repetition of concepts and gameplay and will look for the newest, most innovative ideas that will fill the gap.



    [/my2cents.]
  • Nightshade44Nightshade44 Member Posts: 58
    True, just because something is new, unique or original doesn't necessarily mean it will be good or well done when it comes to games.

    _________________________________
    Currently without MMO

    Anticipating: Aion - Tower of Eternity
    Veteran: Star Wars Galaxies
    Veteran: The Matrix Online

  • JustoxJustox Member Posts: 9

     

    Deja Vu, mate.  I just wrote an editorial on this.

    Ingenuity and Innovation lied dormant this batch of MMORPG's (WoW, LOTRO) but it seems to have been utilized for the next generation.  Huxley is truly innovative, for its MMORPGFPS features, aswell as Warhammer Online, which seems to possess a unique take on PvP.

     

  • ComanComan Member UncommonPosts: 2,178

    There seems to be a lot of orginal MMOs comming, offcourse I belive when I play it, but game like Fallen Earth, Darkfall and war seems ot orginal (One more then the other)

  • Nightshade44Nightshade44 Member Posts: 58
    Yes there always SEEMS to be original MMOs on the horizon, that's what all the developers say about their current project, but more often than not, when all is said and done... it's not very original at all. Look at Vanguard, the supposed "next generation MMO". Although, I'm personally pretty interested in Aion so far, even though it's a Korean game, which I'm usually not very fond of... it does currently boast some interesting concepts, especially the free flight and aerial combat, as well as the PvPvE.

    _________________________________
    Currently without MMO

    Anticipating: Aion - Tower of Eternity
    Veteran: Star Wars Galaxies
    Veteran: The Matrix Online

  • ExpatriateExpatriate Member Posts: 202

    When you look at what is successful and the cost of development, it's no wonder. 

    Some of the best games were not so successful because they were more difficult to master.

    Others because their innovations limited their success and made it only possible for several thousand or less to play at once.

    But I think the biggest problem the gaming industry has to overcome is the long development times.  You can't spend 6 years developing a game and expect it to be cutting edge when you finally release it.

    They need to start thinking in terms of massively multi-developer and get the games out in 1 year instead of 6 or more.

     

    Watch the latest episode of "The Guild" and other Pwnage videos from around the net--also post your own: http://PwnerTV.com

  • KenichiKenichi Member Posts: 109
    There are games that have original features on the way, or at least for now, but the biggest problem is taking a risk and the fact that most of the market is currently dominated by casual gamers. Why should a company create a game that they thing the majority of gamers won't play?



    Casuals hate too much complexity in games. If it has too much of a learning curve, they will quit it quickly. If it is hard to master, they will quit it quickly. Casuals want easy and simple games that are fun. The market may change in the future, but right now it is filled with casual players with little time and patience and it just isn't worth breaking the mold.
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