Recently i had a half decent discussion with a player on Eve online regarding the huge success of WoW compared with the relative niche status of Eve Online and other MMORPGs. The conclusion we reached was that the success of WoW is based upon its mass appeal. Much like a MacDonalds compared with that great little Mexican restaurant in the back alley. And the two main factors that allow WoW to achieve its mass appeal in my opinion are 1) Ease of accessiblity and the 2) user-friendly implementation of the GUI.
In a nutshell, WoW is designed and marketed specifically for the generic gamer/mass audiance and its huge success reflects this.
By level of accessibily i mean not only the level of access to the game by potential gamers in the real world, but also the level of access to the game for new players within the game world. Below are some key points.
- It's released world-wide for starters
Gamecard options gives access to young kids
Blizzard is a very established brand, and most of its games haven taken root in popular culture
The class system is based on the traditional Tolkien lore and the familiar Warcraft storyline
There's an extensive in-game tutorial program for beginners
The learning curve is gradual and zoned off. So players are usually surrounded by other players of the same level, and each level strata has its own gameplay area.
Along with the ease of accessiblity the WoW GUI is implemented to maximize user-friendliness.
- The interface 'looks' and 'feels' warm. Unlike most games where the interface and the graphics just 'look' shoddy, Risk Your Life , Last Chaos, Space Cowboys etc.
The interface is clear, succinct. Texts are large. Display features are customizable, easily navigated and identified and furthermore the colours of the interface don't clash.
WASD movement with jump provides freedom of movement.
The graphics although not not the best is designed to be immersive. Alot of variations in landscape and structure as well as a variety of atmopsheric features make moving around enjoyable.
Although WoW can be viewed as the antithesis to creativity. It does however succeed in appealing to the masses. It's a game designed from the very start to be a game that taliors for the mediocrity of the mass.




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