MMOs: the near and distant future [Update 1]
by Jennie Lees 
{ May 1st 2006 at 11:25PM }
Academic blog Terra Nova is
asking a big and important question -- what does the future of massively multiplayer games hold? Arguing that current
games like World of Warcraft are the best the current-gen has to
offer, what's around the corner for next-gen MMOs?A few buzzwords that are floating around the comments thread: middleware; user-created content; no grinding; item-based revenue; user-hosted MMOs; dynamically-changing worlds; non-high-fantasy-themed games; customisation; co-operative control of vehicles; massive-scale MMOs; celebrities; console platforms.
That's a lot of theorising, and a lot of potential for new MMOs. Whether new games get personal with localised, user-hosted mini-worlds, or create their own celebrities with ingame content creation that ties into a large-scale international world, there are some exciting possibilities around the corner.
[Update: reinserted mysterious vanishing end-of-post.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
StefanW @ May 1st 2006 11:52PM
I know what is coming.
A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE for WoW-clones.
But games like Darkfall and Age of Conan give me some hope.
Mikeawesome @ May 2nd 2006 12:04AM
did you fail to finish writing this post?
.hack @ May 2nd 2006 1:37AM
The World is the next gen MMORPG
Sushi Golem @ May 2nd 2006 2:07AM
The next MMO I'm waiting for is a full scale Dynasty Warriors MMO. Of course, first they have to allow more units on the screen at one time...
??? @ May 2nd 2006 2:08AM
Well I guess MMOs are ok in their own right as long as they do not get on the bandwagon with them and begin to exclude the single player [oh you know-the ones that prefer to play with themselves] I have a 360 which I bought mainly to be able to play all the yummy FPS sci-fi shooters which are forthcoming et al. One thing really makes me wet my bloomers: HUXLEY is going to be MMO ONLY! If that is going to be the next-gen thing to come [exclude the single player] then maybe I will take up knitting tea cozies instead.
Wally @ May 2nd 2006 6:18AM
The strange thing is, people want more and more in their MMO's. They want to be able to fish in real time, to drive in cars etc, but that's all available in real life, and you will experience it a lot diffirent, so .hack, I think you're kinda right .. -_-
Stormgaard @ May 2nd 2006 7:46AM
The whole gang over @ Terra Nova can be summed up as follows:
NEWSFLASH: Terra Nova Sez People Won't Like Hamburgers Anymore!!
NEWSFLASH: Guess what!? PEOPLE STILL LIKE F*CKING HAMBUGERS!!
Almost everyone over at Terra Nova is a BIG FLAMING LIB. They apply their personal beliefs regarding RL society to Virtual World Design - which is why all their "Progressive" ideas regarding the future of MMO's look less like a legitimate prediction of future market trends than they do a lot of old, tired, regurgitated socialist manifestos of the 20th Century.
And just like in RL their ideas will function in small, isolated, limited ways and ONLY because of the success of more traditional societiy.
In other words the only reason Sweeden can have a 70% tax rate and no military is because the USA kept the Soviet Union from overrunning and dominating their Hippie asses. To that extent games like EVE Online or ATITD (which have all these "Progressive" ideas they go ga-ga over) only work within the broader market because of the traditional giants like EQ and WoW who make the MMO a viable large scale gaming genre.
Guess what Terra Nova. 20 years from now?
PEOPLE WILL STILL LIKE F*CKING HAMBURGERS.
Alex @ May 2nd 2006 8:41AM
I would welcome a next generation MMO even if it was a basic clone of the current leader, WoW. It seems pretty straight forward to me...people love WoW level 10-59 and really love it level 40-50. Those are the times where you can enjoy the great character controls, adventure on your own, obtain new items, level up professions, explore, get on some PvP and most importantly NOT HAVE TO GO ON END GAME RAIDS THAT LAST FOR 8HR AND REQUIRE HUGE GROUPS AND HUGE AMOUNTS OF DKP. Dump that and you have a winner.
BH @ May 2nd 2006 9:37AM
Personally, I'm bored and sick of current MMOs. THey're all the freaking same. Elves, Midgets, Orcs, Dark Elves, swords, shields, armor, MAGIC!
How about something new? I know there's EVE, but that got boring for me as well. Perhaps if it had a bit more freelancer-ish to it.
Also, I'm getting sick of the combat system. Hotkey attacks, run up to an enemy, press 1, then 2, then 3, 1 has recharged, 2, 3, repeat. It gets really boring. How about some real-time combat that requires some skill, not dice or rock/paper/scissors.
obo @ May 2nd 2006 9:45AM
"In other words the only reason Sweeden can have a 70% tax rate and no military is because the USA kept the Soviet Union from overrunning and dominating their Hippie asses."
Not in my Civ IV! MUAHAHAHA
Jeremy Wright @ May 2nd 2006 9:50AM
Actually, lots of fascinating ideas. Makes me want to design an MMO ;-)
Branislav @ May 2nd 2006 9:51AM
My next MMO will be Vangard SOH from the creators of Everquest.
This game is promising. And thousands of players are still playing WoW for now but will jump to Vanguard as soon as it is relased.
Vanguard FTW.
Ramen Junkie @ May 2nd 2006 10:42AM
That game you described for the future of MMORPGs sounds a lot like Second Life. Of course Second Life tends to be a pointless "superman flight simulator" 90% of the time.