What makes an MMO Successful?

[MeowyWowie]

While I respect your opinion Quanta, I still highly doubt we'll see anything as successful as WoW in terms of MMOs. At least not if everyone's stuck on making casual games. There are far more games out there now competing with each other, most trying to emulate what WoW did, how WoW did it.

WoW released when the MMO market was still somewhat fresh and most games available were catered to niche markets. Blizzard's casual approach couldn't have been timed better, and I think this is one of the main reasons it became so popular.

Today, most everyone interested in MMOs has already played at least one in the past. Because of that, people are picky and know what they want in them. With so many options out there now (granted many aren't even worth mentioning,) it's hard to think that the majority will all flock to one game.

I'm no fortune teller, but judging by current trends, I don't see this happening any time soon, or really ever for that matter.

[Roaran]

It's incredibly hard for new MMOs to compete with established ones. I would think it's nearly impossible.

A game that has had 10+ years of development and content already released offers far more to a new player than most other MMOs available. A company can either release it early, with the basic core elements and a 'playable' game, or they can develop it for several more years to make it more appealing.

Honestly though, the trend lately has been to release betas/early versions of the game, and I'm not entirely sure SE made a bad decision by releasing the game as it was. At least from a player's perspective. It's doubtful that if the game had not been released, as many changes and fixes would have taken place, and it is likely there would have been no player polls to help guide development.

Whether it was a financial mistake or not... in the end, MMOs are only successful several years from their release, and they are successful based on whether the game is good or not. My opinion is, the early release and the additional feedback from the players will contribute to a better game.

I have never thought anything WoW has done was revolutionary at all. I played it for some time, but without my friends playing, I instantly quit. There's nothing spectacular about the gameplay or the lore the environments. I had some fun playing PvP, but it was never really fleshed out into something great.

WoW was successful because it was popular. Addressing why it was popular is hard... They got people to play the game with good advertising, and the got people to stay in the game with constant gear baiting and updates to add goals for people to stay. The game was also accessible to just about anyone. I think more importantly WoW became mostly a Fad. Everyone was doing it, everyone had friends playing it, so everyone at least tried it. I highly doubt there will be another MMO Fad, as most people who experienced their first MMO through WoW either loved it and stayed and are currently playing an MMO, or they hated it, quit and will most likely never return.

The best thing they can accomplish would be to steal a large subscription base from another MMO. Which is nearly impossible at first release. However, there is an opportunity to new MMOs to cash in big and become the new WoW. Eventually Blizz will release it's new MMO. If it turns out to be a typical MMO release, dismal failures and over hyped expectations, people will either return to WoW or jump ship entirely. FFXIV if it has enough content to draw people in, could capitalize on this.

Anyways a billion reasons why there won't be a new WOW, few reasons to expect another one. But it isn't impossible.

[Balbanes]

A Sense of Urgency

In many of the MMOs I've played, there is almost always something important going on. These things would have real benefits & consequences for success or failure

- Rift has rift invasions (PvE zone-wide events) as well as more group/solo friendly Rift events.
- DAoC had PvP frontiers in which 3 factions fought to control relics, keeps and even a massive dungeon
- SWG had a constant PvP/PvE struggle between the Rebels and Empire
- Ultima Online had GM events as well as PvP faction control of major cities. Also PvE monster invasions of cities
- FFXI had a weekly nation conquest of zones as well as PvE invasions in Al-Zahbi (Besieged).


* There could be monster/NPC invasions of the 3 City-States as well as minor invasions of te Aetheryte camps.

* Bring back XI style nation conquest, but make it dfferent so that it adapts to XIV.
- Create outposts throughout the zones which serve the nation that controls the zone. These outposts could have Crafting Support, vendors, even special quests. Maybe even teleport/chocobo services?
- Create unique bonuses for the nation which is in "1st", but also incentives for underpopulated nations to give them a chance to compete (think Gridania here).
1st place: A small bonus to XP/SP
2nd place: NPCs sell items/services cheaper
3rd place: A small but noticable bonus to attack power / defense

Now obviously, everyone at endgame will want #3, right? However, the more people that join the losing side, the less they lose! These bonuses are only suggestions, of course.

More to come.

* Conquest systems should divide the 5 major zones into their sub-zones. Northern Shroud, Southern Shroud, etc etc.

[KaedrianLiang]

Other than the specific announced changes?

What makes any given MMO a success?

Destroying the principles behind the genre. Remember when MMORPG's required players to put a hefty amount of time into it?Well apparently thats unacceptable now, with reviewers calling everything that isn't WoW "a chore." Don't get me wrong i like WoW for what it is. And i certainly like the direction FFXIV is taking.

[Balbanes]

Destroying the principles behind the genre. Remember when MMORPG's required players to put a hefty amount of time into it?Well apparently thats unacceptable now, with reviewers calling everything that isn't WoW "a chore." Don't get me wrong i like WoW for what it is. And i certainly like the direction FFXIV is taking.

It is kind of sad how WoW has spoiled so many gamers in that regard.

[yukikaze_yanagi]

Jumping is what make a game succesful.
This game don't have so will fail. Right evangela ? '-'

[JackDaniels]

Q: When will Diablo III be released?

A: It's too early to estimate Diablo III's release date. As with all Blizzard Entertainment games, our goal is to create a game that is as fun, balanced, and polished as possible. We intend to take as much time developing Diablo III as is necessary to ensure the game meets our own high expectations and those of our players.

FFXIV forfeited success when they released an alpha (beta at best) version of this game.

[Balbanes]

I could think of only one thing when you mentioned items that help you capture enemies, Poké Ball Go!!!

I like your ideas, and yeah it is late.

Its actually pretty fun. Another idea would be to disguise onesself as a beastman to infiltrate their area/spy on their plans.