Don't forget Vivendi said that all of Blizzard's franchises will eventually become MMO's. So my money is on Diablo Online .
Actually what Vivendi said is that they would like all of Blizzard's franchises to eventually become MMO's. Of course they would, more MMO's mean more money for Vivendi. But now that Blizzard has split with Vivendi and is partnered with Activision, they really don't have any say in the matter.
The rumors that it's NOT based on a current Blizzard IP are sketchy at best, but it's definately a possibility. I'd say the odds that it's a completely new IP are about on par with the odds that it will be one of their existing IP's, which basically means that at this point no one really knows other than Blizzard and they aren't talking just yet. It's all hear say and inuendo.
And for those people who like to mention the code name Hydra and somehow infer that has some meaning, you do realize why they use code words in the first place, right? It's so that they don't give away any information. I'd say the fact they chose the name Hydra has about as much significance as if they would have chosen Tom for the code name.
Vivendi bought controlling interest in Activision and is merging Blizzard with it. Activision is essentially a sub-corporation of Vivendi. That doesn't mean they can't sell off their interest after the merger, but as long as Blizzard is affecting Vivendi's bottom line like it is, that sure isn't going to happen.
My bad. I thought it was Activision that bought out Vivendi, not the other way around.
he who said Blizzard will not make Diablo Online NEXT is 100% correct.
Blizzard has all but spelled out there product strategy, and they have trademarked both the names "Stars of Starcraft" and "Dungeons of Diablo.
Bliizard's strategy according to Pardo is to establish their baseline story and evolve their franchises via their single player / non-MMO games first, then when mature launch that into a online MMO.
And they have also established a logical order -- Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo.
Logic would conclude their strategy is to eventually establish all three franchines in the online MMO space, but that Stars of Starcraft will be next...
and given the success of WoW I would suspect it to receive a major update if not new engine / client or perhaps entirely new game before they go to Dungeons of Diablo - and Diablo 3 would need to come before the MMO.
In terms of the WoW killer, or the product that will knock WoW out of the heavy weight title position -- it's a real headshaker. I am shocked the industry hasnt been able to even make a dent in it in four years nearly. I thought Warhammer Online had potential until I was accepted to the Order vs Chaos beta. That game, even in beta phase, is a big disappointment to me. Uninspiring and very WoW-like, but not quite as good as WoW was four years ago in the WoW beta.
LOTRO is my game of choice at the moment - I love it. I got bored with 3 level 70 toons in WoW and LOTRO has filled the void nicely. But as good as it is I can see why it wont knock WoW off its perch - system requirements of LOTRO are high and the game is a bit more complex). Still I love LOTRO.
I got bored with Tabula Rasa at level 32 - the same thing over and over again. Lack of variety in everything really stalls that game - come on with more content and give us PAUs....and Pirates of the Burning Sea, man talk about a game I can't get into. I like to explore in MMOs - and blue seas make for pretty bland exploring.
Gotta say I am excited about AOC but that game will also not be as appealing to the masses due to mature content and sys requirements.
I guess then, like others have said, the real WoW killed is probably Blizzard's next concoction.
he who said Blizzard will not make Diablo Online NEXT is 100% correct. Blizzard has all but spelled out there product strategy, and they have trademarked both the names "Stars of Starcraft" and "Dungeons of Diablo. Bliizard's strategy according to Pardo is to establish their baseline story and evolve their franchises via their single player / non-MMO games first, then when mature launch that into a online MMO. And they have also established a logical order -- Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo. Logic would conclude their strategy is to eventually establish all three franchines in the online MMO space, but that Stars of Starcraft will be next... and given the success of WoW I would suspect it to receive a major update if not new engine / client or perhaps entirely new game before they go to Dungeons of Diablo - and Diablo 3 would need to come before the MMO. In terms of the WoW killer, or the product that will knock WoW out of the heavy weight title position -- it's a real headshaker. I am shocked the industry hasnt been able to even make a dent in it in four years nearly. I thought Warhammer Online had potential until I was accepted to the Order vs Chaos beta. That game, even in beta phase, is a big disappointment to me. Uninspiring and very WoW-like, but not quite as good as WoW was four years ago in the WoW beta. LOTRO is my game of choice at the moment - I love it. I got bored with 3 level 70 toons in WoW and LOTRO has filled the void nicely. But as good as it is I can see why it wont knock WoW off its perch - system requirements of LOTRO are high and the game is a bit more complex). Still I love LOTRO. I got bored with Tabula Rasa at level 32 - the same thing over and over again. Lack of variety in everything really stalls that game - come on with more content and give us PAUs....and Pirates of the Burning Sea, man talk about a game I can't get into. I like to explore in MMOs - and blue seas make for pretty bland exploring. Gotta say I am excited about AOC but that game will also not be as appealing to the masses due to mature content and sys requirements.
I guess then, like others have said, the real WoW killed is probably Blizzard's next concoction.
This makes a great deal of sense. Furthermore, everyone (and the developers in particular) knows that eventually no matter how good a MMO is, a player will be bored. You have 3 level 70 on WOW, i only has one L65 and one L17 so I have a ways to go before I am bored.
It is a great strategy to have THREE mmos and keep more players under the blizzard brand. They can rotate out their expansions so that people stopping on WOW can play SoS (nice acronym) waiting for expansions.
I don't like these topics, but I too must admit I have given it thought and have come to my own conclusions.
Let’s look at other markets and use them as a comparison to the MMO market. Also, please understand that my knowledge of all topics isn't perfect, and so most of my thoughts are based on theories that are based off "What I Know". As you correct me, or add in information, I add to my knowledge and adjust the theories accordingly.
Let’s analyze the book/novel industry. (In a short shotgun approach)
I'll take a look at the release of Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, and then subsequent releases by C.S. Lewis, Phillip Pullman, and perhaps an endless list of fantasy authors. Fantasy dominates the market.
Now let’s fast forward to revolutionary new genre of Sci-fi. 1984, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Canticle for Leibowitz.
Messy... I know. But in comparison I'd say the fantasy MMO Genre is now full, if not overly full, of fantasy based games. This doesn't mean EVERYONE is looking for something new, but it does suggest that everyone is willing to try something new.
With releases of FPS games, Planet Side, or perhaps MMORPG's like Tabula Rasa... we start to break into a new genre where combat with long range weapons and future sci-fi abilities are primary. With each game, you get new ideas on how to improve an existing system. These games might not be "Spectacular" at first, but as time progresses... they get better.
They get better like: Fantasy MUDs->Ultima Online->Everquest->DAoC->WoW->Take your Pick
(Some might think I’m skipping alot of games, but this is just an example. Admittedly there are probably many more that helped further enhance and define the MMORPG Fantasy genre.)
So... let’s say people are READY for a different genre of MMORPG... I'd say the perfect place to go to is the Sci-fi genre. It worked in the past and I'm sure it will work again... it just takes that sequence of games to help define and mold another "WoW".
So...The next WoW killer/Successor? I say it will be a Sci-fi type of game. And if Blizzard, the biggest player in the MMO market, is an intelligent money making machine, I believe they will try something OTHER than fantasy. Why? Because it is alot easier for players like me to justify keeping two different MMO accounts if they are two different Genres. Some days I like my sword and board, others I like my laser rifle and space ship.
This doesn't mean some other company can't come along with a better Fantasy MMORPG, but I do think they will want to avoid being compared to WoW, and therefore try a different genre.
And if Blizzard wants to be the best, I say they will need to design a new futuristic MMO that hits just as hard as WoW did, but not force their WoW player base to have to choose between Fantasy and... Fantasy.
WoW has probably fully tapped the Fantasy market and when more money is the name of the game... I think Sci-fi will be where most companies will look at.
Fantasy is pretty filled at the moment. Sci-Fi needs new life, something bold to stand out against the piles of crap we have today. Blizzard is probably making it as we speak...lord knows a Starcraft MMO would sell out instantly the day it released.
I dont think the majority of the fanbase is looking for anything new. The RPG fanbase loves fantasy games, and has been dominated by fantasy games since final fantasy on the consol and other such games. If you look at the consol games, RPGS are still dominated by fantasy.
FPS games are sci-fi and futureistic. The best FPS games are set in the future with aliens and always have been and probably always will be. The FPS fanbase looks for games like doom, halo, and other trademark games with futuristic massive explosive weapons.
Along with this train of thought, MMO players look for large fantasy worlds to play in. Not all, but most. People dont want anything "new". People want their current game, and they want it better. They want more features, but the same basic well understood style.
If you want proof, watch more futurama. Fry stated perfectly the thoughts of the average consumer in the episode with the single female lawyer show when the omicron percei eight aliens wanted an ending to the last episode. It may be just an adult cartoon, but it hit dead on the market.
Personally, i liked WoW but i got bored of the endgame. I loved DAoC but it didnt have the population. Im hoping like hell that WAR has everything WoW had in terms of mechanics and gameplay and even the endgame, PLUS the RvR offered in DAoC, plus some additional goodies that add to, but still stay true to the MMO style game. This wont kill WoW, as i believe nothing can kill WoW other than time and out-dated graphics, but it would become a great new game.
Comments
The rumors that it's NOT based on a current Blizzard IP are sketchy at best, but it's definately a possibility. I'd say the odds that it's a completely new IP are about on par with the odds that it will be one of their existing IP's, which basically means that at this point no one really knows other than Blizzard and they aren't talking just yet. It's all hear say and inuendo.
And for those people who like to mention the code name Hydra and somehow infer that has some meaning, you do realize why they use code words in the first place, right? It's so that they don't give away any information. I'd say the fact they chose the name Hydra has about as much significance as if they would have chosen Tom for the code name.
Vivendi bought controlling interest in Activision and is merging Blizzard with it. Activision is essentially a sub-corporation of Vivendi. That doesn't mean they can't sell off their interest after the merger, but as long as Blizzard is affecting Vivendi's bottom line like it is, that sure isn't going to happen.
My bad. I thought it was Activision that bought out Vivendi, not the other way around.
he who said Blizzard will not make Diablo Online NEXT is 100% correct.
Blizzard has all but spelled out there product strategy, and they have trademarked both the names "Stars of Starcraft" and "Dungeons of Diablo.
Bliizard's strategy according to Pardo is to establish their baseline story and evolve their franchises via their single player / non-MMO games first, then when mature launch that into a online MMO.
And they have also established a logical order -- Warcraft, Starcraft, Diablo.
Logic would conclude their strategy is to eventually establish all three franchines in the online MMO space, but that Stars of Starcraft will be next...
and given the success of WoW I would suspect it to receive a major update if not new engine / client or perhaps entirely new game before they go to Dungeons of Diablo - and Diablo 3 would need to come before the MMO.
In terms of the WoW killer, or the product that will knock WoW out of the heavy weight title position -- it's a real headshaker. I am shocked the industry hasnt been able to even make a dent in it in four years nearly. I thought Warhammer Online had potential until I was accepted to the Order vs Chaos beta. That game, even in beta phase, is a big disappointment to me. Uninspiring and very WoW-like, but not quite as good as WoW was four years ago in the WoW beta.
LOTRO is my game of choice at the moment - I love it. I got bored with 3 level 70 toons in WoW and LOTRO has filled the void nicely. But as good as it is I can see why it wont knock WoW off its perch - system requirements of LOTRO are high and the game is a bit more complex). Still I love LOTRO.
I got bored with Tabula Rasa at level 32 - the same thing over and over again. Lack of variety in everything really stalls that game - come on with more content and give us PAUs....and Pirates of the Burning Sea, man talk about a game I can't get into. I like to explore in MMOs - and blue seas make for pretty bland exploring.
Gotta say I am excited about AOC but that game will also not be as appealing to the masses due to mature content and sys requirements.
I guess then, like others have said, the real WoW killed is probably Blizzard's next concoction.
This makes a great deal of sense. Furthermore, everyone (and the developers in particular) knows that eventually no matter how good a MMO is, a player will be bored. You have 3 level 70 on WOW, i only has one L65 and one L17 so I have a ways to go before I am bored.
It is a great strategy to have THREE mmos and keep more players under the blizzard brand. They can rotate out their expansions so that people stopping on WOW can play SoS (nice acronym) waiting for expansions.
I don't like these topics, but I too must admit I have given it thought and have come to my own conclusions.
Let’s look at other markets and use them as a comparison to the MMO market. Also, please understand that my knowledge of all topics isn't perfect, and so most of my thoughts are based on theories that are based off "What I Know". As you correct me, or add in information, I add to my knowledge and adjust the theories accordingly.
Let’s analyze the book/novel industry. (In a short shotgun approach)
I'll take a look at the release of Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, and then subsequent releases by C.S. Lewis, Phillip Pullman, and perhaps an endless list of fantasy authors. Fantasy dominates the market.
Now let’s fast forward to revolutionary new genre of Sci-fi. 1984, Stranger in a Strange Land, and Canticle for Leibowitz.
Messy... I know. But in comparison I'd say the fantasy MMO Genre is now full, if not overly full, of fantasy based games. This doesn't mean EVERYONE is looking for something new, but it does suggest that everyone is willing to try something new.
With releases of FPS games, Planet Side, or perhaps MMORPG's like Tabula Rasa... we start to break into a new genre where combat with long range weapons and future sci-fi abilities are primary. With each game, you get new ideas on how to improve an existing system. These games might not be "Spectacular" at first, but as time progresses... they get better.
They get better like: Fantasy MUDs->Ultima Online->Everquest->DAoC->WoW->Take your Pick
(Some might think I’m skipping alot of games, but this is just an example. Admittedly there are probably many more that helped further enhance and define the MMORPG Fantasy genre.)
So... let’s say people are READY for a different genre of MMORPG... I'd say the perfect place to go to is the Sci-fi genre. It worked in the past and I'm sure it will work again... it just takes that sequence of games to help define and mold another "WoW".
So...The next WoW killer/Successor? I say it will be a Sci-fi type of game. And if Blizzard, the biggest player in the MMO market, is an intelligent money making machine, I believe they will try something OTHER than fantasy. Why? Because it is alot easier for players like me to justify keeping two different MMO accounts if they are two different Genres. Some days I like my sword and board, others I like my laser rifle and space ship.
This doesn't mean some other company can't come along with a better Fantasy MMORPG, but I do think they will want to avoid being compared to WoW, and therefore try a different genre.
And if Blizzard wants to be the best, I say they will need to design a new futuristic MMO that hits just as hard as WoW did, but not force their WoW player base to have to choose between Fantasy and... Fantasy.
WoW has probably fully tapped the Fantasy market and when more money is the name of the game... I think Sci-fi will be where most companies will look at.
I agree.
Fantasy is pretty filled at the moment. Sci-Fi needs new life, something bold to stand out against the piles of crap we have today. Blizzard is probably making it as we speak...lord knows a Starcraft MMO would sell out instantly the day it released.
I dont think the majority of the fanbase is looking for anything new. The RPG fanbase loves fantasy games, and has been dominated by fantasy games since final fantasy on the consol and other such games. If you look at the consol games, RPGS are still dominated by fantasy.
FPS games are sci-fi and futureistic. The best FPS games are set in the future with aliens and always have been and probably always will be. The FPS fanbase looks for games like doom, halo, and other trademark games with futuristic massive explosive weapons.
Along with this train of thought, MMO players look for large fantasy worlds to play in. Not all, but most. People dont want anything "new". People want their current game, and they want it better. They want more features, but the same basic well understood style.
If you want proof, watch more futurama. Fry stated perfectly the thoughts of the average consumer in the episode with the single female lawyer show when the omicron percei eight aliens wanted an ending to the last episode. It may be just an adult cartoon, but it hit dead on the market.
Personally, i liked WoW but i got bored of the endgame. I loved DAoC but it didnt have the population. Im hoping like hell that WAR has everything WoW had in terms of mechanics and gameplay and even the endgame, PLUS the RvR offered in DAoC, plus some additional goodies that add to, but still stay true to the MMO style game. This wont kill WoW, as i believe nothing can kill WoW other than time and out-dated graphics, but it would become a great new game.
WoW cant be killed... because is filled with people with no life... and how can you kill something with no life????