LotR Online dev not averse to console MMO
by Ross Miller 
{ Jun 22nd 2007 at 3:27PM }
"I actually think Lord of the Rings is a platform we can build from. Our license is to build massively multiplayer online games based on the books on all platforms, all across the world, so we want to leverage that over time", he said. Later, in discussing the difficulties of a console MMO, Steefel said that "you've got to do everything in a thoughtful way and know why you're doing it, for who you're doing it, and then, what is an MMO on a console? What is that really? It has to be different."
If it has to be different, then, don't expect cross-platform universe play. Ruminations of a developer does not a confirmation make, but we suspect Hobbits won't stray far from a future console release.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jerk Face @ Jun 22nd 2007 3:52PM
Are they serious?
It's like Nintendo execs meeting at the water cooler and saying, "You know what, gang? I think that Mario is a platform that we can build from?"
OF COURSE it is a buildable platform - it's Lord of the Frigging Rings! Stupid.
Mr Khan @ Jun 22nd 2007 3:42PM
Well; the time is ripe to do a console MMO, at least on PS3 and 360, due to the fact that all PS3 owners and the vast majority of 360 owners have an HDD
Any MMO that came to Wii would have to be done uniquely, and not because of the power or controls, but because of the lack of HDD. It would have to be client-side-saved and disc-based (think PSO), but then of course they would have to deal with the rampant hacking and cheating that comes with client-side-saving
Chainblast @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:14PM
This is almost as fucking stupid as Blizzard saying consoles couldn't handle World of Warcraft because it's a mouse/keyboard game. Are developers that naive and unable to wrap their heads around the fact (repeat, fact) both PS3 and X360 support mice and keyboards?
Things like this simply amaze me.
Shagittarius @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:20PM
I don't believe the 360 supports mouse or keyboard.
Mr Khan @ Jun 22nd 2007 4:59PM
@ Chainblast
Maybe they only look at it as not financially viable, since not everyone has a USB Keyboard or USB Mouse (the only kind my family has are PS/2), and that would go back to basing a title around the sale of a peripheral
Pete @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:52PM
Why do you need a mouse for a game like WoW? The 360 gamepad plus the new QWERTY chat attachment would work. That would give the developers plenty of buttons to work with.
Jonathan Tran @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:12PM
@5:
haha people will pay $300 for rock band, $150 for multiplayer guitar hero, $150 for DDR, $200 for steel batallion, but not $80 for WoW or Guild Wars or LOTRO? you have to be kidding.
StrangeBum @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:16PM
@ Shagittarius
The 360 does support keyboard support, I played FFXI almost solely with it, mice however do not work, at least none that I tried out.
But the 360 is definitely capable of MMO games, FFXI was great while I played it. I don't know about the PS3 for I don't have one. But it has 'The Agency' coming out, so I wouldn't rule out either system.
Mr Khan @ Jun 22nd 2007 5:30PM
I know that, but i'm saying maybe THEY don't think its financially viable
either that or they're PC elitists, one of the two
B Tizo @ Jun 22nd 2007 6:24PM
The 360 DOES NOT support a mouse. Although, it would be simple enough for MS to put it in during their Fall/Spring updates. Keyboard support is only in the Dashboard/Guide unless specifically supported by the game (FFXI) or buying some $80 third party peripheral that tricks the xbox into thinking it's a wired controller, but that isn't supported in all games. Here is the link: http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/12316/Connect-a-Mouse-and-Keyboard-to-Your-Xbox-360/
That being said, I agree that the controller+chatpat combo would be perfect to bring an MMO game to the 360. I'm actually surprised that the Chatpad isn't out yet. Maybe Joystiq should bug MS about it. Anywho, here's to hoping we something MMO on the 360 in the near future.