SOE's Next Step?

[Laerazi]

Given what SOE may have learned from EQ1, EQ2, and Vanguard, do you think they could (or should) try to pull off a highly accessible game that attempts to be polished from the start?

EQ1 is ancient, and I doubt it's getting many new players, yet it still retains a substantial amount. As someone who's invested tons of time in the game before, it's simply too overwhelming for me to get back into, given that I quit 7-8 expansions ago. Each expansion seems to have it's own gimmick that is dropped in the next expansion. I hate to say it, but graphics are becoming somewhat of a turnoff compared to what's out today (even compared to WoW).

EQ2 had a very rocky start and has already imprinted a somewhat sloppy/uninteresting impression on many people (myself included) that first experienced it, despite it's vast improvements. They're beginning to show that they have talented people at SOE, but they're improving a project that started off below average to begin with, leaving the initial game sucky while it improves each expansion.

Vanguard... I don't see it going places.

I would think that SOE has something in the works, in terms of a new MMO, but what is it? (or what would you want it to be?) Should they go with what they know (being fantasy) and try to really make it work, with an EverQuest 3?

Now I know many people are getting sick of the fantasy genre, myself included, but I definitely would look forward to a game that actually tried to tell the "true" elaborated version of Norrath without alienating EQ1 lore. EQ2 is improving on this, but the game never felt like the same lore to me, and probably never will. I would love to play in an expanded "old-world" Norrath where all of the continents are connected, and really fleshed out, with an evolving storyline that really explains the plot, in an almost novel-esque fashion (like what WoW did with the Warcraft IP). Of course, SOE hasn't really shown themselves yet to be very thorough or talented when it comes to presenting quality lore.

They could play off of the "alternate timestream" concept or whatever, and pretty much retcon whatever the hell they want. I personally wouldn't mind if EQ2 never happened in an EQ3.

But, that said, should they try and create a new IP and attempt to gain interest in that, instead? (perhaps sci-fi/stealth/whatever)? It seems very difficult to get a brand new IP to appeal to new customers, but on the other hand, does the name "EverQuest" leave a bad impression in people's mind, so much that they wouldn't even consider another installment of it? I don't know. It would be interesting if SOE did create a popular new IP, but with such an established MMO market with all types of attempted genres, is it really going to stand out?

This thread is obviously pure speculation, but I'm curious to hear what people think about SOE's future and what direction they should take.

[Ashes Emberblade]

Personally, I think they should concentrate on a relaunch of VG. If such a relaunch is as successful as the EQ2 one, they'd have a good cash flow basis from which to develop something new like you're talking about.

[Mist]

Isn't that spy game their next big project? The Agency? Along with their barbiedoll/my little pony ripoff game for girls?

[Laerazi]

Originally Posted by Ashes Emberblade

Personally, I think they should concentrate on a relaunch of VG. If such a relaunch is as successful as the EQ2 one, they'd have a good cash flow basis from which to develop something new like you're talking about.

That would be ideal, considering how much groundwork and resources have been put into the game, but since it's recently been told that they only have 14 people working on the game, it doesn't seem like that's the case.

I would definitely play Vanguard again if they showed some real passion in making it an amazing game, but from an outsider's perspective that doesn't look to be the case. Who knows, though.

Isn't that spy game their next big project? The Agency? Along with their barbiedoll/my little pony ripoff game for girls?

Haven't heard to much about "The Agency"; have they revealed what genre it is?

[cyanbane]

Originally Posted by Laerazi

Of course, SOE hasn't really shown themselves yet to be very thorough or talented when it comes to presenting quality lore.

??

As compared to the extensive and well detailed lore of WOW? /sarcasm.

SOE has an advantage having 2 games under the same IP here, but what other game compress to the quantity/quality of EQ1/EQ2 Lore? Minus LOTRO (which building on an already substantial IP), I'm not sure there is much that compares in my mind.

[QforQ]

SOE is currently developing atleast 3 MMOs that we know about. We know they are making The Agency (PC and PS3), Free Realms(Free to Play MMO for younger audiences) and a DC Comics MMO.

[Azrayne]

Originally Posted by cyanbane

??

As compared to the extensive and well detailed lore of WOW? /sarcasm.

SOE has an advantage having 2 games under the same IP here, but what other game compress to the quantity/quality of EQ1/EQ2 Lore? Minus LOTRO (which building on an already substantial IP), I'm not sure there is much that compares in my mind.

Warcraft probably had one of the best high fantasy settings and storylines out there (imo), before they mutilated it to try graft it onto an EQlite MMO.

[UnchainedAcolyte]

I would like to think SOE and other companies have learned a valuable lesson in the wake of both WoW and Vanguard in terms of polish and completion at release. Delays have taken place in AoC, WAR, and POTBS - all MMOG's with a faithful following whose devs may have realized that their content and game designe might not be quite up to snuff, and that it is all but impossible to recover from a poor launch.

I for one would love to see an EQ3, but to my knowledge there is not one being developed. I love the high-fantasy genre, but SOE may be trying to break away from that. Time will tell.

As for Vanguard, the loss of Aruspex and Hasium are indications of their death-knell. With reports of there being up to a 50% cut in manpower, along with the lacking number of subscriptions, the game will be shelved with a skeleton crew. All things considered, I think I would prefer they shut it down. There are things worse than death in the MMO community.

Whatever game they make, just please make decent lore (or backstory) and have it develop well over the course of the game.

[cyanbane]

Originally Posted by UnchainedAcolyte

I for one would love to see an EQ3, but to my knowledge there is not one being developed. I love the high-fantasy genre, but SOE may be trying to break away from that. Time will tell.

"It was called a sequel, but in reality it was a different game set in the same world, just in the future."

So does that mean EverQuest fans don't have anything more to expect in the MMO genre? Not at all. Smedley told us that they fully intend to do another EverQuest MMO.

"One day in the future, but not sure what point. No one's actually working on it," he said carefully.

WarCry Network : John Smedley: Exclusive Interview with the SOE CEO

[Ashes Emberblade]

Originally Posted by Laerazi

That would be ideal, considering how much groundwork and resources have been put into the game, but since it's recently been told that they only have 14 people working on the game, it doesn't seem like that's the case.

From what I understood they let 14 of 36 people go, so there are 22 working on VG atm.

[Braen]

When they let Scott Hartsman, Silverfrost and the current EQ2 team design a game from the ground up, call me.

I hate that they are limited in what they can do because of idiotic design decisions made before them, mostly because of the engine.

[Pilsbane]

Originally Posted by Laerazi

I would think that SOE has something in the works, in terms of a new MMO, but what is it? (or what would you want it to be?) Should they go with what they know (being fantasy) and try to really make it work, with an EverQuest 3?

I'd like to see SOE make a game without the name "Everquest" in the title that doesn't suck.

I'd like to see the all access pass serve as something other than life-support for games that would have been shut down if left on their own. I would love to see 5-10 well polished MMO-lites in the all access pass. If I could play a SOE version of City of Heroes, Dungeons and Dragons Online, and Tabula Rasa in addition to a deeper game like Everquest 1/2/3 all in one pass, then I would consider the pass worth the money.

[UnchainedAcolyte]

Originally Posted by Braen

When they let Scott Hartsman, Silverfrost and the current EQ2 team design a game from the ground up, call me.

I hate that they are limited in what they can do because of idiotic design decisions made before them, mostly because of the engine.

Agreed.

EQ2 has gone from night to day since I've last played, and that was just before Hartsman and crew were assigned to it.

Though Smed has admitted it's not being worked on yet, if/when they decide to create an EQ3, that should be the core team for the project.

[Laerazi]

Originally Posted by QforQ

SOE is currently developing atleast 3 MMOs that we know about. We know they are making The Agency (PC and PS3), Free Realms(Free to Play MMO for younger audiences) and a DC Comics MMO.

I'm not sure where I got this impression, but I thought the DC Comics MMO wasn't being made anymore? Could just be misinformation.

Regarding the other games they are making, the My Little Pony and Free Realms don't seem like large, money-infused, powerhouse games, like a new installment of EverQuest, but more niche games that aren't quite as developed.

I am looking forward to whatever the Agency turns out to be, and it's good to hear that we may return to EverQuest again at some point in the future.

As it was mentioned above, I'd like to see the quality team that boosted EQ2 to what it is today create a brand new game focused on quality and being a great MMO/world from level 1 on release day.

[brekk]

Planetside 2...