Alganon, for reasons that I think are fairly self evident.
WAR, but that's only because we're goin to see what WAR should have been once they give out more info on the 40k mmo at E3.
Actually most people think as we get closer to the rlease of 40k, the WAR pop will diminish, other way around. It's like FFXIV and FFXI. With the hype for FFXIV rising, so does the pop for FFXI. Many people can't wait to get there hands on 14 so they just play 11 to ease there hype a little, at least it keeps FFXI alive though, it's getting easier to find groups now.
MMOs played: Too many Watch List: FFXIV, CoH:GR, GW2, SWTOR, TERA, Earthrise
Alganon, for reasons that I think are fairly self evident.
WAR, but that's only because we're goin to see what WAR should have been once they give out more info on the 40k mmo at E3.
Actually most people think as we get closer to the rlease of 40k, the WAR pop will diminish, other way around. It's like FFXIV and FFXI. With the hype for FFXIV rising, so does the pop for FFXI. Many people can't wait to get there hands on 14 so they just play 11 to ease there hype a little, at least it keeps FFXI alive though, it's getting easier to find groups now.
This would be a fair assessment except for the little fact that FFXI is a good game and has held a good playerbase since it released, unlike WAR.
I dunno. That is a good question. I think WAR is still going to be given another year. Its still churning out patches. I think Vanguard has over 20K subs, so no reason to shut it down.
I always wonder what is the magical number for MMOs to shut down. AC and DAoC have been hovering at 10-20k subs for years now, and are still going(I wonder if Mythic had something in the contract that DAoC had to be in operation for X number of years). I wouldn't be surprised if AC had 5k or less. I remember back when AC listed the number of players per server no server had more than 500, and they only had like 3 servers back in '05-'06 range.
I'd be surprised if WAR or VG shutdown. I wouldn't be surprised if Champions Online or Pirates of the Burning Sea were our next victims. Of course, that may take awhile. When was the last closure?
edit: After reading some replies I forgot about Alganon. Yep, we have a winner. Also, SWG is probably in worse shape than VG and WAR. Good calls.
I wouldn't be surprised if AC had 5k or less. I remember back when AC listed the number of players per server no server had more than 500, and they only had like 3 servers back in '05-'06 range.
Not sure where you got this, but they still have all 9 servers running and have never shut one down as far as I know.
They're actually about to upgrade a lot of the graphical textures, at least in landscape, to AC in a coming patch this year (article is listed on this site) so doubtful they're in a position to shut down any time soon.
I wouldn't be surprised if AC had 5k or less. I remember back when AC listed the number of players per server no server had more than 500, and they only had like 3 servers back in '05-'06 range.
Not sure where you got this, but they still have all 9 servers running and have never shut one down as far as I know.
They're actually about to upgrade a lot of the graphical textures, at least in landscape, to AC in a coming patch this year (article is listed on this site) so doubtful they're in a position to shut down any time soon.
9 servers?? I sure don't remember 9 servers. Thought I remember seeing two pve and one pvp. Morningthaw, Darktide, and don't remember the other.
Yea, I see 9 servers on their forum page. No clue why I always thought there were so few.
Definitely Alganon. As mentioned before, there's maybe 30 people on across all three servers during primetime on a freaking weekend. Even at ten times that amount (hell, even 100x) there's simply no way it can turn a profit.
I feel sorry for the dev team though. They're obviously fairly talented folks, just lead by a string of incompetent jackanapes.
The Agency - SOE released a facebook game into beta. We haven't heard much of this game in quite a while - despite the fact that it was apparently far along. SOE will either let this just fade away or will announce the game was put on "hold". If planetside 2 is announced - expect that to be the final nail in The Agency's coffin. If PlanetSide 2 is indeed in development - expect a lot of the concepts (and maybe even the style) from The Agency to be adopted.
Earthrise or Fallout Online (FOO) - Apparently this developer is working with Interplay to develop the FOO. Either Earthrise or FOO will get canceled to focus on the other
Mortal Online - This game just seems to be a disaster waiting to happen. I really want to see the devs release something playable and worthy of a sub - but it just doesn't seem to be going this way. I'm crossing my fingers on this one, but I don't expect to see a turn around unfortunately. I hope they prove us wrong!!
Closings:
Global Agenda - A lot of hype and what not but reminds me of the Australian MMO that had a similar payment model. That game just never took off.
I kind of doubt STO or CO will be shutting down anytime soon. Both games were made on the relative cheap (so much of the technology between the two games is shared). Neither game is really that bad - dissappointing yes and poorly managed - but far from the disasters that everyone makes them out to be. Both games will probably continue to maintain good enough numbers to keep the games around. STO still has quite a bit of promise - the coming months will be telling.
AoC is rebounding. Funcom always manages to screw things up early on - but they do a good job of turning things around. Just take a look at Anarchy Online. I do think Funcom is looking at RotGS as either the last horah or a sign of good things to come. This will determine if the game goes into maintenance mode or not. The game does have its issues but for what it is now, the game is definitely one of the better games on the market. AC2's expansion was treated similarly. It was released and apparently it wasn'y enough so Turbine pulled the plug.
Vanguard will unfortunately continue to see niche numbers. The game is in maintenance mode. Its unfortunate because a lot of great work has been done - it deserves better. I wouldn't be surprised if EQ3 is some lovechild of FreeRealms and Vanguard however. I see SOE continuing to keep this one around at least until EQ3 comes to the forefront. It will be a slow painful death.
AC and DAoC continue to go. While there are upkeep costs, they are older games so the upkeep costs aren't that significant. To run the 2-3 servers that both of these games have each, probably costs far less to maintain than 2-3 WoW servers for example. DAoC is also in maintenance mode. Turbine seems to be at least rewarding its devoted players with new content regularly.
Don't be surprised if WAR gets to be the next AAA MMO to be converted to a F2P model. I think this could work to the game's benefit if done right.
SWG probably still has decent numbers. However, once Biowares game is released and once more information on the rumored FreeRealms-esque SW game that SOE is working on is fully announced, SWG doesn't hold a chance.
Aion - this game was simply overhyped by players. For what it was, it was a fun game. I believe this game is doing better than L2 which continues to see development efforts. This is NCSoft's current flagship - it will be around for a while.
As much as I dislike SoE, I can't see this happening as long as it's a part of the station pass.
So was MXO.
My money is on Planetside, it does have that countdown clock after all...
Maybe SOE will make it a 2 for, SWG & PS.
I'm thinking that SOE didn't like the reaction when they terminated MXO, just like they thumbed their nose at the SWG community when they introduced NGE without pre-mention and then silence when people were in shock. I don't think SOE likes it's mmo communities any longer. May be a countdown clock for teh aliens to return and vaporize everyrhing once and for all. *shrugs* Possible.
I think WAR is the next going down. Not because it is bad but because EA thought it would have 2 million subs and are likely to close down games that didn't go as well as expected. It also wouldn't surprise me if GW pulled out and license the IP to someone else, I know for a fact that GW and the GW fans are unhappy about the game.
My second guess would be DFO, Avi lived a lot on EU money for the game but with Greece current crisis I could see it as a victim of the crisis, again not because it is a bad game but because of other things. Greece is a total mess right now and I doubt that EU is up for sponsoring small MMO companies right now. It's small but faithful playerbase makes it sensitive for economical problems, while they do pay for the game they are too few to make it possible to get a buffer if any emergency happens.
Personally I hope that no MMO closes down the next year or 2, well maybe a few of the F2P games.
I do expect some games in development to be canceled.
I wouldn't be surprised if AC had 5k or less. I remember back when AC listed the number of players per server no server had more than 500, and they only had like 3 servers back in '05-'06 range.
Not sure where you got this, but they still have all 9 servers running and have never shut one down as far as I know.
They're actually about to upgrade a lot of the graphical textures, at least in landscape, to AC in a coming patch this year (article is listed on this site) so doubtful they're in a position to shut down any time soon.
9 servers?? I sure don't remember 9 servers. Thought I remember seeing two pve and one pvp. Morningthaw, Darktide, and don't remember the other.
Yea, I see 9 servers on their forum page. No clue why I always thought there were so few.
Asheron's Call 2 was conslidated down to three servers before it was shut down. It rarely had more than a couple hundred people on eachone at a time. That's probably what you are thinking of.
I think WAR is the next going down. Not because it is bad but because EA thought it would have 2 million subs and are likely to close down games that didn't go as well as expected. It also wouldn't surprise me if GW pulled out and license the IP to someone else, I know for a fact that GW and the GW fans are unhappy about the game.
My second guess would be DFO, Avi lived a lot on EU money for the game but with Greece current crisis I could see it as a victim of the crisis, again not because it is a bad game but because of other things. Greece is a total mess right now and I doubt that EU is up for sponsoring small MMO companies right now. It's small but faithful playerbase makes it sensitive for economical problems, while they do pay for the game they are too few to make it possible to get a buffer if any emergency happens.
Personally I hope that no MMO closes down the next year or 2, well maybe a few of the F2P games.
I do expect some games in development to be canceled.
Where did you get that GW info? Everyone who used to play GW loved it, people who do love it, the game is going great, and getting ready to make GW2. Know idea where you pulled that stuff out of.
MMOs played: Too many Watch List: FFXIV, CoH:GR, GW2, SWTOR, TERA, Earthrise
I think WAR is the next going down. Not because it is bad but because EA thought it would have 2 million subs and are likely to close down games that didn't go as well as expected. It also wouldn't surprise me if GW pulled out and license the IP to someone else, I know for a fact that GW and the GW fans are unhappy about the game.
My second guess would be DFO, Avi lived a lot on EU money for the game but with Greece current crisis I could see it as a victim of the crisis, again not because it is a bad game but because of other things. Greece is a total mess right now and I doubt that EU is up for sponsoring small MMO companies right now. It's small but faithful playerbase makes it sensitive for economical problems, while they do pay for the game they are too few to make it possible to get a buffer if any emergency happens.
Personally I hope that no MMO closes down the next year or 2, well maybe a few of the F2P games.
I do expect some games in development to be canceled.
Where did you get that GW info? Everyone who used to play GW loved it, people who do love it, the game is going great, and getting ready to make GW2. Know idea where you pulled that stuff out of.
Why would that happen? I understand if that was happening with a dieing game or something, but GW is doing fine, plus arenanet is making GW2 soon, so to sell the game would be outrageouse.
MMOs played: Too many Watch List: FFXIV, CoH:GR, GW2, SWTOR, TERA, Earthrise
Why would that happen? I understand if that was happening with a dieing game or something, but GW is doing fine, plus arenanet is making GW2 soon, so to sell the game would be outrageouse.
GW does not equal Guild Wars in this usage. It means Games Workshop, who own and created the Warhammer TT.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
I wouldn't be surprised if AC had 5k or less. I remember back when AC listed the number of players per server no server had more than 500, and they only had like 3 servers back in '05-'06 range.
Not sure where you got this, but they still have all 9 servers running and have never shut one down as far as I know.
They're actually about to upgrade a lot of the graphical textures, at least in landscape, to AC in a coming patch this year (article is listed on this site) so doubtful they're in a position to shut down any time soon.
I just quit AC a couple months back. All the servers ran with an average of about 80 connected throughout the day except one which was Frostfell which had over 170 average. I left the PVP server out because it is a loner in this group. As with that information it would seem AC would get the cancellation but they still are working on the game which considering how old it is and how cheap it is to make new content I doubt they are breaking bank on this game even with the low numbers.
It is a niche game which has low numbers but it's like a historic monument, you have to keep it around. I wouldn't care if it shutdown though, kinda wish it would actually, then perhaps they would consider a new AC3 project if the new owners could wrap their heads around that concept.
As cheap as bandwidth and server hosting is these days, I can't see any game with subs closing down. Plus the bad publicity. . Mostly likely a game that has low subs would cut back on customer service and you'd never see an expansion or upgrade.
I play both and enjoy them immensely, and I know many others who feel the same. I don't see either going anywhere for a while. They're new games so, sure, they're flawed. But they've got plenty of time to be improved upon. Stop being trolls about these games, people.
Originally posted by Meromorph Originally posted by uquipu As cheap as bandwidth and server hosting is these days, I can't see any game with subs closing down.
Friendly discussion: is there any easy reference I could read to help me know how to reasonably estimate these costs?
Comments
Alganon, for reasons that I think are fairly self evident.
WAR, but that's only because we're goin to see what WAR should have been once they give out more info on the 40k mmo at E3.
Actually most people think as we get closer to the rlease of 40k, the WAR pop will diminish, other way around. It's like FFXIV and FFXI. With the hype for FFXIV rising, so does the pop for FFXI. Many people can't wait to get there hands on 14 so they just play 11 to ease there hype a little, at least it keeps FFXI alive though, it's getting easier to find groups now.
MMOs played: Too many
Watch List: FFXIV, CoH:GR, GW2, SWTOR, TERA, Earthrise
This would be a fair assessment except for the little fact that FFXI is a good game and has held a good playerbase since it released, unlike WAR.
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes.
Will get the can for good once SOE starts the hard sell on the next EverQuest game.
Darkfall.
I dunno. That is a good question. I think WAR is still going to be given another year. Its still churning out patches. I think Vanguard has over 20K subs, so no reason to shut it down.
I always wonder what is the magical number for MMOs to shut down. AC and DAoC have been hovering at 10-20k subs for years now, and are still going(I wonder if Mythic had something in the contract that DAoC had to be in operation for X number of years). I wouldn't be surprised if AC had 5k or less. I remember back when AC listed the number of players per server no server had more than 500, and they only had like 3 servers back in '05-'06 range.
I'd be surprised if WAR or VG shutdown. I wouldn't be surprised if Champions Online or Pirates of the Burning Sea were our next victims. Of course, that may take awhile. When was the last closure?
edit: After reading some replies I forgot about Alganon. Yep, we have a winner. Also, SWG is probably in worse shape than VG and WAR. Good calls.
Not sure where you got this, but they still have all 9 servers running and have never shut one down as far as I know.
They're actually about to upgrade a lot of the graphical textures, at least in landscape, to AC in a coming patch this year (article is listed on this site) so doubtful they're in a position to shut down any time soon.
9 servers?? I sure don't remember 9 servers. Thought I remember seeing two pve and one pvp. Morningthaw, Darktide, and don't remember the other.
Yea, I see 9 servers on their forum page. No clue why I always thought there were so few.
Definitely Alganon. As mentioned before, there's maybe 30 people on across all three servers during primetime on a freaking weekend. Even at ten times that amount (hell, even 100x) there's simply no way it can turn a profit.
I feel sorry for the dev team though. They're obviously fairly talented folks, just lead by a string of incompetent jackanapes.
We'll see more cancelations than closings.
Cancelations:
The Agency - SOE released a facebook game into beta. We haven't heard much of this game in quite a while - despite the fact that it was apparently far along. SOE will either let this just fade away or will announce the game was put on "hold". If planetside 2 is announced - expect that to be the final nail in The Agency's coffin. If PlanetSide 2 is indeed in development - expect a lot of the concepts (and maybe even the style) from The Agency to be adopted.
Earthrise or Fallout Online (FOO) - Apparently this developer is working with Interplay to develop the FOO. Either Earthrise or FOO will get canceled to focus on the other
Mortal Online - This game just seems to be a disaster waiting to happen. I really want to see the devs release something playable and worthy of a sub - but it just doesn't seem to be going this way. I'm crossing my fingers on this one, but I don't expect to see a turn around unfortunately. I hope they prove us wrong!!
Closings:
Global Agenda - A lot of hype and what not but reminds me of the Australian MMO that had a similar payment model. That game just never took off.
I kind of doubt STO or CO will be shutting down anytime soon. Both games were made on the relative cheap (so much of the technology between the two games is shared). Neither game is really that bad - dissappointing yes and poorly managed - but far from the disasters that everyone makes them out to be. Both games will probably continue to maintain good enough numbers to keep the games around. STO still has quite a bit of promise - the coming months will be telling.
AoC is rebounding. Funcom always manages to screw things up early on - but they do a good job of turning things around. Just take a look at Anarchy Online. I do think Funcom is looking at RotGS as either the last horah or a sign of good things to come. This will determine if the game goes into maintenance mode or not. The game does have its issues but for what it is now, the game is definitely one of the better games on the market. AC2's expansion was treated similarly. It was released and apparently it wasn'y enough so Turbine pulled the plug.
Vanguard will unfortunately continue to see niche numbers. The game is in maintenance mode. Its unfortunate because a lot of great work has been done - it deserves better. I wouldn't be surprised if EQ3 is some lovechild of FreeRealms and Vanguard however. I see SOE continuing to keep this one around at least until EQ3 comes to the forefront. It will be a slow painful death.
AC and DAoC continue to go. While there are upkeep costs, they are older games so the upkeep costs aren't that significant. To run the 2-3 servers that both of these games have each, probably costs far less to maintain than 2-3 WoW servers for example. DAoC is also in maintenance mode. Turbine seems to be at least rewarding its devoted players with new content regularly.
Don't be surprised if WAR gets to be the next AAA MMO to be converted to a F2P model. I think this could work to the game's benefit if done right.
SWG probably still has decent numbers. However, once Biowares game is released and once more information on the rumored FreeRealms-esque SW game that SOE is working on is fully announced, SWG doesn't hold a chance.
Aion - this game was simply overhyped by players. For what it was, it was a fun game. I believe this game is doing better than L2 which continues to see development efforts. This is NCSoft's current flagship - it will be around for a while.
Alganon
short and sweet and we all know why..
So was MXO.
My money is on Planetside, it does have that countdown clock after all...
Maybe SOE will make it a 2 for, SWG & PS.
I'm thinking that SOE didn't like the reaction when they terminated MXO, just like they thumbed their nose at the SWG community when they introduced NGE without pre-mention and then silence when people were in shock. I don't think SOE likes it's mmo communities any longer. May be a countdown clock for teh aliens to return and vaporize everyrhing once and for all. *shrugs* Possible.
M59, UO, EQ1, WWIIOL, PS, EnB, SL, SWG. MoM, EQ2, AO, SB, CoH, LOTRO, WoW, DDO+ f2p's, Demos & indie alpha's.
I think WAR is the next going down. Not because it is bad but because EA thought it would have 2 million subs and are likely to close down games that didn't go as well as expected. It also wouldn't surprise me if GW pulled out and license the IP to someone else, I know for a fact that GW and the GW fans are unhappy about the game.
My second guess would be DFO, Avi lived a lot on EU money for the game but with Greece current crisis I could see it as a victim of the crisis, again not because it is a bad game but because of other things. Greece is a total mess right now and I doubt that EU is up for sponsoring small MMO companies right now. It's small but faithful playerbase makes it sensitive for economical problems, while they do pay for the game they are too few to make it possible to get a buffer if any emergency happens.
Personally I hope that no MMO closes down the next year or 2, well maybe a few of the F2P games.
I do expect some games in development to be canceled.
Asheron's Call 2 was conslidated down to three servers before it was shut down. It rarely had more than a couple hundred people on eachone at a time. That's probably what you are thinking of.
Where did you get that GW info? Everyone who used to play GW loved it, people who do love it, the game is going great, and getting ready to make GW2. Know idea where you pulled that stuff out of.
MMOs played: Too many
Watch List: FFXIV, CoH:GR, GW2, SWTOR, TERA, Earthrise
gw has more active players than most p2p games
My guess is that GW = Games Workshop in this case
Why would that happen? I understand if that was happening with a dieing game or something, but GW is doing fine, plus arenanet is making GW2 soon, so to sell the game would be outrageouse.
MMOs played: Too many
Watch List: FFXIV, CoH:GR, GW2, SWTOR, TERA, Earthrise
GW does not equal Guild Wars in this usage. It means Games Workshop, who own and created the Warhammer TT.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
Alganon. If anyone doubts this they're on crack.
NEWS FLASH! PAYING THE SUB IN F2P = NO DIFFERENCE THAN P2P GAMES!
Why the hell can't the whiners comprehend this?
I just quit AC a couple months back. All the servers ran with an average of about 80 connected throughout the day except one which was Frostfell which had over 170 average. I left the PVP server out because it is a loner in this group. As with that information it would seem AC would get the cancellation but they still are working on the game which considering how old it is and how cheap it is to make new content I doubt they are breaking bank on this game even with the low numbers.
It is a niche game which has low numbers but it's like a historic monument, you have to keep it around. I wouldn't care if it shutdown though, kinda wish it would actually, then perhaps they would consider a new AC3 project if the new owners could wrap their heads around that concept.
As cheap as bandwidth and server hosting is these days, I can't see any game with subs closing down. Plus the bad publicity.
.
Mostly likely a game that has low subs would cut back on customer service and you'd never see an expansion or upgrade.
Well shave my back and call me an elf! -- Oghren
Friendly discussion: is there any easy reference I could read to help me know how to reasonably estimate these costs?
I play both and enjoy them immensely, and I know many others who feel the same. I don't see either going anywhere for a while. They're new games so, sure, they're flawed. But they've got plenty of time to be improved upon. Stop being trolls about these games, people.
Friendly discussion: is there any easy reference I could read to help me know how to reasonably estimate these costs?
Someone at mmorpgmaker.com could tell you.
Well shave my back and call me an elf! -- Oghren