Jaesun Posted July 17, 2008 Author Posted July 17, 2008 Its strange that so many companies seem to be on the MMORPG bandwagon. It just seems to me that MMORPGs are one of the product niches where there just isn't a lot of room for a bunch of different ones to succeed. Most MMORPG players are only going to have time for 1 or 2 MMORPGs at a time, and for most one of those will probably be WoW. Given the ongoing cost of having to maintain the online world, it would seem to be a tough way to make money. Star Wars through is probably an IP that has as good a chance as succeeding as any other. Actually, the gigantic release of Funcom's Age of Conan makes it clear that the upper limit for MMO subscribers is really unknown. Plus, MMO's do taper off over time, and those players tend to look for greener pastures. WoW is king right now, but this KotOR Online is probably still years away from release, and who knows what the market will be by then? You have quite a few MMO's going strong right now, and by strong I mean over 100k subscribers: WoW (of course) LotR Online EQ2 AoC (impressive start, not sure on lifespan) EVE FFXI Lineage 2 I'm probably forgetting a few, and there are some that manage to cling on to enough people to stay in business: The original EQ, Asheron's Call, Ultima Online, D&D Online, Vanguard, SW: Galaxies (I think this one is ending)... Source please. Some of my Youtube Classic Roland MT-32 Video Game Music videos | My Music | My Photography
@\NightandtheShape/@ Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 There's no reason why there can't be a KoTot online and a KoToR 3. That would make the most sense anyway, since you could make multiple use of the same developement assets and yet hit both the single player and MMORPG markets as well as using the single player game to promote the online experience. Unlikely, you may get a kinda AoC thing where you have online with a sort of single player mode "I'm a programmer at a games company... REET GOOD!" - Me
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 There's no reason why there can't be a KoTot online and a KoToR 3. That would make the most sense anyway, since you could make multiple use of the same developement assets and yet hit both the single player and MMORPG markets as well as using the single player game to promote the online experience. Unlikely, you may get a kinda AoC thing where you have online with a sort of single player mode Why? There's always money to be made in a single player game. Put a free-for-a-month account for the online game in as part of the installation and you've just increased your exposure for the online game as well. Maybe Bioware wouldn't want to do it themselves, but they could farm it out just like KoToR 2. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
newc0253 Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 MMORPGs are laaaaaaame. That said, if companies like Bio and Obsidian need to make them to stay profitable, then so be it. dumber than a bag of hammers
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Its strange that so many companies seem to be on the MMORPG bandwagon. It just seems to me that MMORPGs are one of the product niches where there just isn't a lot of room for a bunch of different ones to succeed. Most MMORPG players are only going to have time for 1 or 2 MMORPGs at a time, and for most one of those will probably be WoW. Given the ongoing cost of having to maintain the online world, it would seem to be a tough way to make money. Star Wars through is probably an IP that has as good a chance as succeeding as any other. Actually, the gigantic release of Funcom's Age of Conan makes it clear that the upper limit for MMO subscribers is really unknown. Plus, MMO's do taper off over time, and those players tend to look for greener pastures. WoW is king right now, but this KotOR Online is probably still years away from release, and who knows what the market will be by then? You have quite a few MMO's going strong right now, and by strong I mean over 100k subscribers: WoW (of course) LotR Online EQ2 AoC (impressive start, not sure on lifespan) EVE FFXI Lineage 2 I'm probably forgetting a few, and there are some that manage to cling on to enough people to stay in business: The original EQ, Asheron's Call, Ultima Online, D&D Online, Vanguard, SW: Galaxies (I think this one is ending)... Is 100,00 a lot? I mean is that enough users for the developers and publishers to be making a steady profit? Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
RangerSG Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 I don't see how this would preclude a K3. In fact, I could see this set in the interim between K2 and K3, with interest in the rebuilding of the order, facing propulgating the "True Sith" threat to the Republic, etc. And K3 being the time when the real "war" breaks out. Just like the prequels jumped 10 or more years between each one (whatever you think of them), K2 to K3 could jump a good chunk of time as well.
Xard Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 MMORPGs are laaaaaaame. That said, if companies like Bio and Obsidian need to make them to stay profitable, then so be it. lolwut Bio = EA It's not like they have no problems when it comes to profits OE too is doing nicely How can it be a no ob build. It has PROVEN effective. I dare you to show your builds and I will tear you apart in an arugment about how these builds will won them. - OverPowered Godzilla (OPG)
Jaesun Posted July 17, 2008 Author Posted July 17, 2008 Is 100,00 a lot? I mean is that enough users for the developers and publishers to be making a steady profit? It all of course depends on how much the developer sent on making the MMOG. I used to know the typical number a simple MMOG would cost... but I am drawing a blank. Here's some info (While not 100% accurate, it is quite extensive) on subscriber numbers. If any are interested. http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart1.html Some of my Youtube Classic Roland MT-32 Video Game Music videos | My Music | My Photography
Xard Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) I don't see how this would preclude a K3. In fact, I could see this set in the interim between K2 and K3, with interest in the rebuilding of the order, facing propulgating the "True Sith" threat to the Republic, etc. And K3 being the time when the real "war" breaks out. Just like the prequels jumped 10 or more years between each one (whatever you think of them), K2 to K3 could jump a good chunk of time as well. You guys just don't get it do you? MMO's DO FEATURE STORIES. THEY TAKE THE STORY FORWARD And MMO's go on for years. New patches and expansion packs give players more missions thus "advancing" the story forwards. In upcoming Wrath of the Lich King player gets to tackle Arthas's plans and fight against him in a plot. It is exactly what would've happened if Warcraft 4 had been made instead of WoW. Only game type changed. In MMO form plots are instances and missions. You can bet True Sith Archsith's Citadel is the last crazy instance for level 80 party You CAN'T pull enough stuff from crap like you mentioned for years to come. However huge conflict a la Republic vs True Sith (plus other factions like Mandalorians and K1 sith fleet's remnants added in for flavour) can be kept going on for years. Just take quick visit to WoWwiki and you can see how much storyline of Warcraft has gone forward during game's existence. Edited July 17, 2008 by Xard How can it be a no ob build. It has PROVEN effective. I dare you to show your builds and I will tear you apart in an arugment about how these builds will won them. - OverPowered Godzilla (OPG)
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Is 100,00 a lot? I mean is that enough users for the developers and publishers to be making a steady profit? It all of course depends on how much the developer sent on making the MMOG. I used to know the typical number a simple MMOG would cost... but I am drawing a blank. Here's some info (While not 100% accurate, it is quite extensive) on subscriber numbers. If any are interested. http://www.mmogchart.com/Chart1.html lol that chart is ridiculous if accurate. Any developer who would try to go after WoW is just throwing money down the toilet. None of the others are even remotely playing in the same ballpark. Not even close. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Xard Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 NOTHING in the whole world of gaming is playing in the same ballpark as WoW. NOTHING How can it be a no ob build. It has PROVEN effective. I dare you to show your builds and I will tear you apart in an arugment about how these builds will won them. - OverPowered Godzilla (OPG)
RangerSG Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 *shrugs* I disagree. I think there's plenty of plotline between that without having a single story. I think the market for a Revan/Exile continuation is definitely there. And it's not going to be satisfied by an MMO, since people have different ideas of what Revan and the Exile represent. There's plenty of room for warfare in the time period I suggested, for instance, without touching what Revan or the Exile do.
Xard Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) *shrugs* I disagree. I think there's plenty of plotline between that without having a single story. I think the market for a Revan/Exile continuation is definitely there. And it's not going to be satisfied by an MMO, since people have different ideas of what Revan and the Exile represent. There's plenty of room for warfare in the time period I suggested, for instance, without touching what Revan or the Exile do. Ermmm.... what? Revan is already fitted in the same mold - thing that fights against TS He has all his memories back so he's entirely different person than the one you played Exile can be easily retconned or killed as well. Please, people want kotor game. They don't want to see how their "ideas of Revan and Exile represent" are portrayed And are you kiddin? Those two are in center of it all Good instance bosses both if you play on True Sith side, har har Edited July 17, 2008 by Xard How can it be a no ob build. It has PROVEN effective. I dare you to show your builds and I will tear you apart in an arugment about how these builds will won them. - OverPowered Godzilla (OPG)
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 NOTHING in the whole world of gaming is playing in the same ballpark as WoW. NOTHING Totally spooky. Lineage was doing well for a while. Never heard of it myself. The only game that really seems to be growing its user base is WoW. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Jaesun Posted July 17, 2008 Author Posted July 17, 2008 NOTHING in the whole world of gaming is playing in the same ballpark as WoW. NOTHING It will have to take an incredibly innovative game design to topple WOW's current throne (Which, while I love Bio... they are not capable of). That said, no one ever though ANYONE would topple EQ and Lineage. And then along came WOW. Some of my Youtube Classic Roland MT-32 Video Game Music videos | My Music | My Photography
Xard Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 You don't have to topple Wow's throne to be very succesful How can it be a no ob build. It has PROVEN effective. I dare you to show your builds and I will tear you apart in an arugment about how these builds will won them. - OverPowered Godzilla (OPG)
Moatilliatta Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) @CG Age of Conan had over 700,000 accounts at this point, I don't know about now. It is also getting a Xbox 360 release at some point, so if it can muster the stamina it might be the second great MMO. Edited July 17, 2008 by Moatilliatta
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 @CGAge of Conan had over 700,000 accounts at this point, I don't know about now. It is also getting a Xbox 360 release at some point, so if it can muster the stamina it might be the second great MMO. Age of Conan wasn't on that chart was it. If 100,000 is enough users to make money then there is more room in the MMORPG marketplace than I thought. I was expecting profits for these things to require a million or so users consistently over time. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Jaesun Posted July 17, 2008 Author Posted July 17, 2008 @CGAge of Conan had over 700,000 accounts at this point, I don't know about now. It is also getting a Xbox 360 release at some point, so if it can muster the stamina it might be the second great MMO. That is actually pretty good for a MMOG. And with a XBox port... only more subscribers. I wasn't aware it was doing that good. Good for them. You don't have to topple Wow's throne to be very succesful You are correct sir. Some of my Youtube Classic Roland MT-32 Video Game Music videos | My Music | My Photography
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Do most MMORPG's require a monthly fee? Or do you just have to buy the game one time and then you can play forever? Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
Meshugger Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 I CURSE THEE WITH THE WRATH OF THE HEAVENS AND A FIST OF AN ANGRY GOD "Some men see things as they are and say why?""I dream things that never were and say why not?"- George Bernard Shaw"Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man."- Friedrich Nietzsche "The amount of energy necessary to refute bull**** is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it." - Some guy
Moatilliatta Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) I wish this MMO was set pre-KOTOR1. Mandalorian wars MMO? Do most MMORPG's require a monthly fee? Or do you just have to buy the game one time and then you can play forever? Monthly fee, though there pseudo-mmos that doesn't require it. Edited July 17, 2008 by Moatilliatta
Moatilliatta Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 (edited) Holy crapoly: Pretty much (and good try Arari).I can say there is no KotOR3 from BioWare since there is no KotOR3 from BioWare. I can't comment on the MMO because there is going to be an MMO, I just can't talk about what it might or might not be.I can confirm that our Austin studio IS working on an MMO. Does that help? Eidt: Ok that didn't come out well. Quote == link. Edited July 17, 2008 by Moatilliatta
Slowtrain Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 Monthly fee, though there pseudo-mmos that doesn't require it. So I guess MMORPGs are econmically similar to subways. The user's cost to play the game is pretty small, but the developers make money because a large number of users are sharing the same assets concurrently. But that model requires maintaining a sufficient volume of users otherwise you start bleeding money in a hurry since you can't really cut costs per user if things go bad. Notice how I can belittle your beliefs without calling you names. It's a useful skill to have particularly where you aren't allowed to call people names. It's a mistake to get too drawn in/worked up. I mean it's not life or death, it's just two guys posting their thoughts on a message board. If it were personal or face to face all the usual restraints would be in place, and we would never have reached this place in the first place. Try to remember that.
GhostofAnakin Posted July 17, 2008 Posted July 17, 2008 I'm really not sure how to feel about this. If this is LA's way of producing an unofficial (or maybe official) K3, then I'm disappointed. But if this is simply an idea to expand into the MMO realm, for BioWare (and to expand the KOTOR era universe), then it might be good. Of course, I'm not looking forward to any monthly fees. "Console exclusive is such a harsh word." - Darque"Console exclusive is two words Darque." - Nartwak (in response to Darque's observation)
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