2008 - Year of the MMO?

Muligan · 03-03-2008, 08:30 AM

Could we finally see an improvement in the quality of MMO releases? Companies continue to tout their awards for “Most anticipated…” and flood the internet with rumors as E3 approaches, what can we really look forward to in the MMO industry?

Here is a quick glimpse…

Age of PvP??

Age of Conan – May 20th, 2008 (website).

Real Combat
DirectX 10
PvP centralized gameplay and design
DreamWorld Engine
Mature Rating
PC / Xbox360
On February 7, 2008, Funcom and Eidos announced that over 500,000 people had signed up for the Beta Testing of Age of Conan

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning – June 10, 2008 (Amazon.com)

RvR and PvP centralized
6 Armies and 2 Factions
Collision Detection
Ongoing Character appearance development as character progresses
Mythic / Games Workshop
Over 600,000 beta signups

Aion: Tower of Eternity - October 30, 2008 (Amazon.com)

PvPvE System
Skill Chains
Cryteks CryENGINE. This same engine was used in the development of the first person shooter FarCry
2 Factions (races) and 8 Classes

The Rumor Mill (In Development)

Ramayan 3392 A.D. - Sony Online Entertainment announced a partnership with Virgin Comics to create a MMO based on the popular Indian-Mythology inspired Ramayan 3392 A.D. graphical novel.
The Agency - Sony Online Entertainment
Knights of the Old Repbulic Online – BioWare confirmed?
Champions Online - superhero-themed massive multiplayer online roleplaying game by City of Heroes developer Cryptic Studios based on the Champions license. The game's announcement followed the cancellation of Cryptic's Marvel Universe Online MMORPG
Cronicles of Spellborn - Spellborn distinguishes itself from other MMORPGs by emphasizing the focus on story line, separating the look and the statistics of gear, integrating PvE (Player vs Environment) and PvP (Player vs Player) and offering combat that is fast paced and more reliant on player skill
StarGate Worlds - under development by industry newcomer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment in association with the film and television media company MGM. The game will allow players to interact in an online universe based around Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis.
StarTrek Online - was the working title of an MMORPG, previously being developed by Perpetual Entertainment, which was announced on September 7, 2004.On January 14, 2008, Perpetual Entertainment announced that it is no longer developing Star Trek Online. The license for the game and all of its assets except for the code have been transferred to an undisclosed Bay Area development studio. On January 18th, all STO developers were laid off by P2 Entertainment.
Unknown Blizzard Title – Rumored to be Starcraft Universe or Worlds
Darkfall
- Expected to feature unrestricted pvp, complete looting, and a player skill dependent combat system
- Inter-character and projectile-character collision detection
- Manual aiming & blocking
- Naval warfare, with the ability to sink player controlled ships
- Cities can be built by players Player built cities can be destroyed. Each player built city will contain a clanstone, which protects the buildings and defensive structures in the vicinity from attack. The clanstone is invulnerable, except when it has been weakened by a Gloomer. Gloomers can be built by players after they have built a siege fort next to the target city. The siege fort can be attacked and destroyed at any time, during or after construction. If a city is destroyed, a new clanstone constructed on the site is temporarily vulnerable to attack
- No radar or floating names, your mini map only shows party and clan members as said in a developer journal

Expansions / Re-releases

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King -November 30, 2008 (Amazon) - Level cap raised to 80. Battle with the Lich King at the Frozen Throne. A playable Hero class: Death Knight. A new continent: Northrend. The creation of a new profession: Inscription. Profession level cap raised to 450. Siege weapons and destructible buildings (for PvP). Customizable hair styles and additional dances for new and existing characters. A non-instanced Battleground .
Everquest 2: Unknown title – Rumored to be Velious.
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - After GU3, members of the Vanguard community now look forward to GU4. Details of GU4 have been released by Thom Terrazas, part of the Vanguard Team. In his 2008 Producer's Letter, Terrazas stated that new bug fixes will be implemented, as well as permanent flying mounts, new riftway improvements, character improvements, visible helmets, and new solutions to combat gold farmers. Terrazas also stated that the team was aiming for the end of February to release GU4 if everything went well.

Zarcath · 03-03-2008, 08:44 AM

There's about 2 games on that list i'm genuinely excited to play. That's excluding the inevitable yet ruinous purchase. 2008 year of the MMOs? Sure. 2008 year of quality MMOs? Doubtful.

Some of those games don't even have release dates or are still in the rumour mill.

Gryeyes · 03-03-2008, 08:44 AM

Id move darkfall to the rumor section. They only announced beta in 2002 afterall.

sticktastic · 03-03-2008, 08:48 AM

No.

As bad as I hate to say it, because I think they did a lot of good, and bad but WoW is the best MMO ever created. I played EQ for 7ish years, and while it is still my favorite, WoW is the best. It does well in every aspect

Makes me ill, but it's true. This year will be chalked full of failures in the mmo business. AoC does not stand a chance, and frankly warhammer has always been a joke imo, anything mythic ever does again will be a joke to me. They had the best pvp game ever, and completly fucked it up. To the point where people who knew anything about the game was asking themselves "does mythic even play this fucking game?". TOA was the nail in the coffin.

Has there ever been another game, or MMO in history where your remaining player base begged for a server that included everything except one specific expansion? It was that level of fuck up. Anyhow, I see WoW remaining king of the hill until they decide to attempt to out do themselves with their next MMO whatever it may be.

gavinrad · 03-03-2008, 08:51 AM

I will go out on a limb and say WH40k has a MUCH larger fanbase than WHFB. If anyone had the balls to develop it into an even half-way decent MMO, I would drop WoW in a heartbeat for it.

Zarcath · 03-03-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sticktastic

Has there ever been another game, or MMO in history where your remaining player base begged for a server that included everything except one specific expansion? It was that level of fuck up. Anyhow, I see WoW remaining king of the hill until they decide to attempt to out do themselves with their next MMO whatever it may be.

You mean in the last 10 years that MMOs have even existed?

Lightsabers are the best weapon in the galaxy. Prove me wrong.

Draegan · 03-03-2008, 09:22 AM

I have to agree with the Chinaman. I also predict Aion will be interested to play, if those sneaky Koreans don't fuck up the control scheme.

Ardbeg of AB · 03-03-2008, 09:29 AM

Will be interesting to see how WAR and AoC will do, if they can deliver in a timely fashion and whatnot, will probarbly try atleast one of the myself.

Much focus seems to be on PvP wich is atleast somewhat logical given WoW success with it and the fact that the replay value of it should be higher than ordinary content.

I am however dubios to how large fanbase the world PvP with sieges and the like AoC promotes really has. The ordinary WoW user with some experience from arenas and battlegrounds, wich both a consentual PvP sub games, might come racing into AoC with a gigantic e-hardon that will shrivel into nothingness when they are ganked and griefed.

I hope both games and others on that list do well and atleast bring something new to the genre so WoW dont suck the life out of it.

/Ardbeg of AB, EQ Euro server

PS: I bet EQ1 will release a new expansion late 2008 but no one considers the ol dinosaur anymore

Twobit Whore · 03-03-2008, 09:33 AM

The only 2 on that list that even matter are WAR and AoC and if they aren't lights-out at launch then WoW and the expansion will just keep on trucking. Darkfall is a non-factor as it probably won't even launch this year at all.

People have been claiming 'year of the MMO' for years now.. DDO, LotRO, TR, PotBS, etc. etc. and none of them have amounted to much at all.

Draegan · 03-03-2008, 09:46 AM

LOTRO was probably the closest, but they fucked that game up.

EmiliaEQ · 03-03-2008, 09:50 AM

PvP-less Instance-less Sebilis-like-Dungeons ? none so nothing for me

Hatorade · 03-03-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zarcath

You mean in the last 10 years that MMOs have even existed?

Lightsabers are the best weapon in the galaxy. Prove me wrong.

Don't make me link the Captain America shield VS Lightsaber thread...

kegkilla · 03-03-2008, 09:56 AM

As good as any of these games will (but probably won't) be, none of them will ever capture a significant size of the market (except maybe Star Wars).

kasey · 03-03-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinrad

I will go out on a limb and say WH40k has a MUCH larger fanbase than WHFB. If anyone had the balls to develop it into an even half-way decent MMO, I would drop WoW in a heartbeat for it.

Shhh, give the monkeys 10 more years to train programming and how to not totally screw something up. I would be one very sad panda if they would screw Wh40k up. Wh40k is the best mmorpg-material on this planet imo and should be exclusively reserved for a perfect execution.

Fadaar · 03-03-2008, 10:07 AM

Even though I would love to move on to something else at this point, WOTLK is the only thing I'm looking forward to in the slightest.

03-03-2008, 08:30 AM	#1 (permalink)
Muligan EQ Retirement Home Resident Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pikeville, KY Posts: 276 -10 Internets	2008 - Year of the MMO? Could we finally see an improvement in the quality of MMO releases? Companies continue to tout their awards for “Most anticipated…” and flood the internet with rumors as E3 approaches, what can we really look forward to in the MMO industry? Here is a quick glimpse… Age of PvP?? Age of Conan – May 20th, 2008 (website). Real Combat DirectX 10 PvP centralized gameplay and design DreamWorld Engine Mature Rating PC / Xbox360 On February 7, 2008, Funcom and Eidos announced that over 500,000 people had signed up for the Beta Testing of Age of Conan Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning – June 10, 2008 (Amazon.com) RvR and PvP centralized 6 Armies and 2 Factions Collision Detection Ongoing Character appearance development as character progresses Mythic / Games Workshop Over 600,000 beta signups Aion: Tower of Eternity - October 30, 2008 (Amazon.com) PvPvE System Skill Chains Cryteks CryENGINE. This same engine was used in the development of the first person shooter FarCry 2 Factions (races) and 8 Classes The Rumor Mill (In Development) Ramayan 3392 A.D. - Sony Online Entertainment announced a partnership with Virgin Comics to create a MMO based on the popular Indian-Mythology inspired Ramayan 3392 A.D. graphical novel. The Agency - Sony Online Entertainment Knights of the Old Repbulic Online – BioWare confirmed? Champions Online - superhero-themed massive multiplayer online roleplaying game by City of Heroes developer Cryptic Studios based on the Champions license. The game's announcement followed the cancellation of Cryptic's Marvel Universe Online MMORPG Cronicles of Spellborn - Spellborn distinguishes itself from other MMORPGs by emphasizing the focus on story line, separating the look and the statistics of gear, integrating PvE (Player vs Environment) and PvP (Player vs Player) and offering combat that is fast paced and more reliant on player skill StarGate Worlds - under development by industry newcomer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment in association with the film and television media company MGM. The game will allow players to interact in an online universe based around Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. StarTrek Online - was the working title of an MMORPG, previously being developed by Perpetual Entertainment, which was announced on September 7, 2004.On January 14, 2008, Perpetual Entertainment announced that it is no longer developing Star Trek Online. The license for the game and all of its assets except for the code have been transferred to an undisclosed Bay Area development studio. On January 18th, all STO developers were laid off by P2 Entertainment. Unknown Blizzard Title – Rumored to be Starcraft Universe or Worlds Darkfall Expected to feature unrestricted pvp, complete looting, and a player skill dependent combat system Inter-character and projectile-character collision detection Manual aiming & blocking Naval warfare, with the ability to sink player controlled ships Cities can be built by players Player built cities can be destroyed. Each player built city will contain a clanstone, which protects the buildings and defensive structures in the vicinity from attack. The clanstone is invulnerable, except when it has been weakened by a Gloomer. Gloomers can be built by players after they have built a siege fort next to the target city. The siege fort can be attacked and destroyed at any time, during or after construction. If a city is destroyed, a new clanstone constructed on the site is temporarily vulnerable to attack No radar or floating names, your mini map only shows party and clan members as said in a developer journal Expansions / Re-releases World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King -November 30, 2008 (Amazon) - Level cap raised to 80. Battle with the Lich King at the Frozen Throne. A playable Hero class: Death Knight. A new continent: Northrend. The creation of a new profession: Inscription. Profession level cap raised to 450. Siege weapons and destructible buildings (for PvP). Customizable hair styles and additional dances for new and existing characters. A non-instanced Battleground . Everquest 2: Unknown title – Rumored to be Velious. Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - After GU3, members of the Vanguard community now look forward to GU4. Details of GU4 have been released by Thom Terrazas, part of the Vanguard Team. In his 2008 Producer's Letter, Terrazas stated that new bug fixes will be implemented, as well as permanent flying mounts, new riftway improvements, character improvements, visible helmets, and new solutions to combat gold farmers. Terrazas also stated that the team was aiming for the end of February to release GU4 if everything went well. Last edited by Muligan; 03-03-2008 at 11:53 AM.. Reason: Comments, Suggestions, and added new Release dates.

03-03-2008, 08:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Zarcath is a little tea pot. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 6,465 +75 Internets	There's about 2 games on that list i'm genuinely excited to play. That's excluding the inevitable yet ruinous purchase. 2008 year of the MMOs? Sure. 2008 year of quality MMOs? Doubtful. Some of those games don't even have release dates or are still in the rumour mill. __________________

03-03-2008, 09:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
Twobit Whore Insert Quarter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 11,161 -14 Internets	The only 2 on that list that even matter are WAR and AoC and if they aren't lights-out at launch then WoW and the expansion will just keep on trucking. Darkfall is a non-factor as it probably won't even launch this year at all. People have been claiming 'year of the MMO' for years now.. DDO, LotRO, TR, PotBS, etc. etc. and none of them have amounted to much at all. __________________ I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hand. I ball my fists and you gonna know where I stand.

03-03-2008, 10:07 AM	#15 (permalink)
Fadaar Detective Fox Mulder Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 2,587	Even though I would love to move on to something else at this point, WOTLK is the only thing I'm looking forward to in the slightest. __________________

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03-03-2008, 08:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gryeyes Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 872 -8 Internets	Id move darkfall to the rumor section. They only announced beta in 2002 afterall.

03-03-2008, 08:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
sticktastic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kansas city Posts: 408 -19 Internets	No. As bad as I hate to say it, because I think they did a lot of good, and bad but WoW is the best MMO ever created. I played EQ for 7ish years, and while it is still my favorite, WoW is the best. It does well in every aspect Makes me ill, but it's true. This year will be chalked full of failures in the mmo business. AoC does not stand a chance, and frankly warhammer has always been a joke imo, anything mythic ever does again will be a joke to me. They had the best pvp game ever, and completly fucked it up. To the point where people who knew anything about the game was asking themselves "does mythic even play this fucking game?". TOA was the nail in the coffin. Has there ever been another game, or MMO in history where your remaining player base begged for a server that included everything except one specific expansion? It was that level of fuck up. Anyhow, I see WoW remaining king of the hill until they decide to attempt to out do themselves with their next MMO whatever it may be.

03-03-2008, 09:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Draegan ҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎ ̏ Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,634 -20 Internets	I have to agree with the Chinaman. I also predict Aion will be interested to play, if those sneaky Koreans don't fuck up the control scheme.

03-03-2008, 09:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
Ardbeg of AB Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 59 +5 Internets	Will be interesting to see how WAR and AoC will do, if they can deliver in a timely fashion and whatnot, will probarbly try atleast one of the myself. Much focus seems to be on PvP wich is atleast somewhat logical given WoW success with it and the fact that the replay value of it should be higher than ordinary content. I am however dubios to how large fanbase the world PvP with sieges and the like AoC promotes really has. The ordinary WoW user with some experience from arenas and battlegrounds, wich both a consentual PvP sub games, might come racing into AoC with a gigantic e-hardon that will shrivel into nothingness when they are ganked and griefed. I hope both games and others on that list do well and atleast bring something new to the genre so WoW dont suck the life out of it. /Ardbeg of AB, EQ Euro server PS: I bet EQ1 will release a new expansion late 2008 but no one considers the ol dinosaur anymore

03-03-2008, 09:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
Draegan ҉̵̞̟̠̖̗̘̙̜̝̞̟̠͇̊̋̌̍̎ ̏ Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 6,634 -20 Internets	LOTRO was probably the closest, but they fucked that game up.

03-03-2008, 09:50 AM	#11 (permalink)
EmiliaEQ Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Paris 94 ! Posts: 725 -5 Internets	PvP-less Instance-less Sebilis-like-Dungeons ? none so nothing for me

03-03-2008, 09:56 AM	#13 (permalink)
kegkilla Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: killadelphia Posts: 2,519 -205 Internets	As good as any of these games will (but probably won't) be, none of them will ever capture a significant size of the market (except maybe Star Wars).