The Devolution of MMOs

[DizzyPW]

Good Friday everyone!

I just finished putting up another MMO feature from Kei Beneza (dividelife). Can check it out here.


He gave me an interesting history from his perspective of the apparent rise and fall of the MMO industry.

Although I don't fully agree with some of his points, I think it is a general consensus among MMO players that the industry has lost some of its magic over the years.

I want to dig deeper though. Where exactly do you think the industry lost its spark?

At what point did you stop feeling the magic of MMOs that you felt when you first got hooked on them? Was there a certain game that broke your spirit? Have you come across a game recently that renewed your hope in the future of MMORPGs?

I am really interested in your views. I might even write a follow-up article based on a game that one of our posters can convince me is special and worth looking into.

[supersonix9]

If it could be one thing, it would be what he said. ^^^ (what both of the guys above me said, I've been ninja'd.)

Although I don't think that the industry lost it's magic.......

I only think that particular COMPANIES have turned into greed monsters.

[Darkhell153]

Now that I read this I'm going to go make an MMO and pay some attention to my fanbase

or I would if I actually had money :P

[DizzyPW]

Now that I read this I'm going to go make an MMO and pay some attention to my fanbase

or I would if I actually had money :P

That is what I feel is the major disconnect. You have people (stock holders/ board of directors) making decisions who never played games when they were younger. Then you have people designing games with nostalgia glasses on that believe everything in the past was perfect (when they were kids) and try to recreate it with their own spin.

And then you have the players that have been playing the same thing from the past all the way to the present and are burnt out.

Unfortunately until multiple companies can prove to the money men that going outside the themepark sword and board model can be equally profitable, we will continue to see "AAA" titles falling into the same cookie cutter builds and innovative game concepts lacking the funding to unleash their true potential.

[Groteske]

Lacking the funding? I see a lot of money being wasted on lame concepts.

It's the money is flowing into the wrong things! Like PVP. Boo.