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Etadanik · 07-01-2006, 01:03 AM

I think it's definitely true that WoW is the McDonald (or Brittney Spears, if you prefer) of MMOs.

It's false, however, to presume that there is anything wrong with that.

Brittney Spears and McDonalds get alot of flak, but only because they are *successful* without having produced what people would consider high-minded products. You make fun of Brittney Spears in light of superior singers. You make fun of McDonalds in light of the fact that their food sucks compared to the $15 restaurants.

But you forget, in the process, that your definition of success is not theirs. Brittney Spears, regardless of her arrogance, didn't set out to make Mozart weep. McDonalds didn't set out to compete with Le Cuisine. Their success lies exactly in the fact that they appealed to a different instinct: that of the low-minded masses.

Blizzard never set out to produce an artistic masterpiece. Their goal wasn't the approval of hardcore gamers. They didn't want to make the Ico or Planescape: Torment of MMOs. They set out to create a casual, accessible product with mass appeal - in that sense, they're exactly the same as McDonalds. They saw - to other companies' envy - a sizable demand and, like any successful company in retrospect, they rose to meet it.

In this fashion, Blizzard is indeed the fast food of the masses, but the only people who think that McDonalds is a piece of shit are those who can't understand its genius.

Let's be honest here. The founder of McDonalds is filthy rich. His influence spreads across the globe. Millions eat at his table. People will remember his brand.

If that isn't success in at least one sense of the word, then you, my friend, are too much the snob.

07-01-2006, 01:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
Etadanik Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,643 +0 Internets	I think it's definitely true that WoW is the McDonald (or Brittney Spears, if you prefer) of MMOs. It's false, however, to presume that there is anything wrong with that. Brittney Spears and McDonalds get alot of flak, but only because they are successful without having produced what people would consider high-minded products. You make fun of Brittney Spears in light of superior singers. You make fun of McDonalds in light of the fact that their food sucks compared to the $15 restaurants. But you forget, in the process, that your definition of success is not theirs. Brittney Spears, regardless of her arrogance, didn't set out to make Mozart weep. McDonalds didn't set out to compete with Le Cuisine. Their success lies exactly in the fact that they appealed to a different instinct: that of the low-minded masses. Blizzard never set out to produce an artistic masterpiece. Their goal wasn't the approval of hardcore gamers. They didn't want to make the Ico or Planescape: Torment of MMOs. They set out to create a casual, accessible product with mass appeal - in that sense, they're exactly the same as McDonalds. They saw - to other companies' envy - a sizable demand and, like any successful company in retrospect, they rose to meet it. In this fashion, Blizzard is indeed the fast food of the masses, but the only people who think that McDonalds is a piece of shit are those who can't understand its genius. Let's be honest here. The founder of McDonalds is filthy rich. His influence spreads across the globe. Millions eat at his table. People will remember his brand. If that isn't success in at least one sense of the word, then you, my friend, are too much the snob.