Shane Kim Addresses Microsoft's MMO Difficulties

Lyrical · 07-31-2008, 03:54 PM

I thought this article was interesting. Why can't Microsoft get it right with MMO's?

I think part of the problem is that they put too much stock in marketing research. Marketing research is important, but you can't build a game from scratch with just survey data.

The other thing is that Microsoft seems to benchmark every MMO against WoW numbers. The actual stated reason for killing the Marvel MMO was because they didn't think they could get 10 million subs with it. Duh.

I have more faith in SOE getting their next MMO to 250K subs than MSFT ever coming out with a viable MMO with 250K subs. And that's sad, 'cause I don't like SOE very much.

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Shane Kim Addresses Microsoft's MMO Difficulties

Microsoft VP takes full responsibility for no MMOs on Xbox.
By Kyle Stallock, 07/30/2008

No one's really experienced substantial success with console MMOs. EverQuest Online Adventures on the PS2 was a flop, and Microsoft has canceled two fairly high-profile titles of their own -- Marvel Universe Online and True Fantasy Live Online. Yet, despite all of this, many companies are still trying to bring the genre to the console market. In fact, Sony has two in the works with The Agency and DC Universe Online. Why can't Microsoft keep up with the competition in this regard and whose fault is it? Enter the former general manager of Microsoft Game Studios who is now a corporate vice president, Shane Kim.

"I'll admit [Microsoft Game Studios] has not had success in the MMO space, and that happened under my leadership, so I take full responsibility," says Kim in a refreshingly honest interview with Edge. Additionally, Kim notes the difficulties in developing an MMO compared to a regular game, including how the financial investment is "basically double," and how they "haven't found that right mix" between the two.

If you're wondering when the 360 will get more MMOs to add to their roster, the future may be bright. Kim seems optimistic, saying, "There's a lot of ongoing work.... We want that content." Of course you want it, Mr. Kim. The competition is kicking your virtual world hiney.

Horse · 07-31-2008, 04:07 PM

Maybe they should try and make a few more fuckin' RPGs before moving towards MMORPG...

Jabberwhacky · 07-31-2008, 04:44 PM

Wasn't Mythica an MS product? I thought it was, and I thought it was a "fairly high-profile title."

Saban · 07-31-2008, 04:47 PM

wasnt it shitcanned to make room for vanguard funding?

Sythrak · 07-31-2008, 07:14 PM

Console MMO's....just say no.

Kuro · 07-31-2008, 08:03 PM

Mythica was shaping up to be pretty damn sweet.

And then it was cut for Vanguard.

Microsoft: Failing As Hard As We Can.

Froofy-D · 07-31-2008, 10:15 PM

Pretty tough to make a decent MMO without a keyboard. Next gen XBOX will likely have one so console MMOs will have to wait till then.

Simas · 07-31-2008, 10:29 PM

Cant you hook up a keyboard to a 360?

Not that console MMO's are a good idea. They are not.

Twobit Whore · 07-31-2008, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Froofy-D

Pretty tough to make a decent MMO without a keyboard. Next gen XBOX will likely have one so console MMOs will have to wait till then.

Yeah, see you in 2012.

bubblegumbo · 07-31-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horse

Maybe they should try and make a few more fuckin' RPGs before moving towards MMORPG...

^

findar · 07-31-2008, 11:13 PM

you can make simple mmo's work with a controller(i found that a lot of free rpgs are more tolerable with hotrigged 360 sticks). that being said, the gameplay and ui will have to be made to work with that, and would be a really crippling factor on any kind of pc counterpart. if they managed to get voice interaction to work right it could be good(ie: seperate channel to trade/talk/etc, or maybe restrict it based on user distance).

if microsoft wanted a good mmo all they have to do is find someone to make a ghost/maplestory mmo and rip it off. they both already have pay for content systems in them that work well.

Kobalt · 07-31-2008, 11:45 PM

No one's really experienced substantial success? Why is he ignoring final fantasy 11? Or is he just comparing everything to wow which would mean no mmo has been successful(outside of asia).

NativityInBlack · 07-31-2008, 11:48 PM

Inc Fable online!

The newbie zone will be filled with kids, literally.

The end game will be good vs. evil players. In-game marriage support, ffa kills on cheating wives.

MS was right to jump away from VG, well actually if they gave Brad another 50 mi and another year perhaps the game would be decent.

Tancred · 08-01-2008, 12:57 AM

MMO Console Freelancer plx

Daezuel · 08-01-2008, 01:20 AM

Once consoles have keyboards don't they just become cheap Macs?

07-31-2008, 04:47 PM	#4 (permalink)
Saban Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,022 +14 Internets	wasnt it shitcanned to make room for vanguard funding? __________________ ] Saban - Paladin, Dark Iron Keelhaul - Everquest, FV Server.

07-31-2008, 08:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kuro Support Beam Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,538 +20 Internets	Mythica was shaping up to be pretty damn sweet. And then it was cut for Vanguard. Microsoft: Failing As Hard As We Can. __________________ Alt Army-Over 9,000 Games

07-31-2008, 10:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Simas Say word Join Date: May 2005 Location: NoVa Posts: 1,386 -24 Internets	Cant you hook up a keyboard to a 360? Not that console MMO's are a good idea. They are not. __________________ Destroyer

07-31-2008, 11:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
findar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,416 +0 Internets	you can make simple mmo's work with a controller(i found that a lot of free rpgs are more tolerable with hotrigged 360 sticks). that being said, the gameplay and ui will have to be made to work with that, and would be a really crippling factor on any kind of pc counterpart. if they managed to get voice interaction to work right it could be good(ie: seperate channel to trade/talk/etc, or maybe restrict it based on user distance). if microsoft wanted a good mmo all they have to do is find someone to make a ghost/maplestory mmo and rip it off. they both already have pay for content systems in them that work well. __________________ -its clobbering time

08-01-2008, 12:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
Tancred Aieee my precious internetz >< Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: UK Posts: 587 -19 Internets	MMO Console Freelancer plx __________________

07-31-2008, 04:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Horse Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,490 -34 Internets	Maybe they should try and make a few more fuckin' RPGs before moving towards MMORPG...

07-31-2008, 04:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jabberwhacky Walker told me I have AIDS Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: In da FACE!! (two times) Posts: 2,859	Wasn't Mythica an MS product? I thought it was, and I thought it was a "fairly high-profile title."

07-31-2008, 07:14 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sythrak Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 117	Console MMO's....just say no.

07-31-2008, 10:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Froofy-D upper management material Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 2,040 +8 Internets	Pretty tough to make a decent MMO without a keyboard. Next gen XBOX will likely have one so console MMOs will have to wait till then.

07-31-2008, 11:45 PM	#12 (permalink)
Kobalt Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 845 +12 Internets	No one's really experienced substantial success? Why is he ignoring final fantasy 11? Or is he just comparing everything to wow which would mean no mmo has been successful(outside of asia).

07-31-2008, 11:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
NativityInBlack Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 210 +3 Internets	Inc Fable online! The newbie zone will be filled with kids, literally. The end game will be good vs. evil players. In-game marriage support, ffa kills on cheating wives. MS was right to jump away from VG, well actually if they gave Brad another 50 mi and another year perhaps the game would be decent.

08-01-2008, 01:20 AM	#15 (permalink)
Daezuel Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 466 +0 Internets	Once consoles have keyboards don't they just become cheap Macs?

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