Shane Kim talks MMO stumbles

by Justin McElroy { Jul 30th 2008 at 1:00AM }

Shane Kim knows (and he know we know) that Microsoft has had some problems in the MMO department, and he even takes the full blame, saying "It's a tough and challenging space that's evolving all the time – a lot of shifting sands. We haven't been able to crack the code." Listen, Kim (can we call you Kim?) we can sympathize. Lord knows we burned through enough cash on our ill-fated lifeguard MMO Endless Deep End. And though we can't help you crack the whole code, we can offer an important first step to MMO success: Release one.

We know, it's a small thing, but you'd be surprised how many miss this important step. Though we're giving him a hard time, we're betting NCsoft wishes they'd had a Shane Kim on staff when Auto Assault was being workshopped. "Everyone please leave the room," he'd say, as he loaded his syringe and slipped on rubber gloves, Auto Assault huddling in the corner. "And for the love of God, whatever you hear, do not come in."

Tags: marvel-universe-online, mgs, mmo, shane-kim

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Gun Barrier (Gamer Tag) @ Jul 30th 2008 1:05AM

I would buy an MMO on the 360 if it didn't need a monthly subscription.

WiiFTW @ Jul 30th 2008 1:15AM

The problem is, it'd take a loss by the company to provide a solid MMO experience with no monthly fee even with an up-front purchase price. See Guild Wars (PC): it is instanced (you won't see anyone outside of town unless they're in your party) unlike WoW and is a little bit lacking but nevertheless successful.

juju187 @ Jul 30th 2008 2:36AM

its not for everyone but you can play FFXI with a Silver account and phantasy star

Snowblind @ Jul 30th 2008 9:57AM

Guild Wars 2 is NOT instanced and still does not require a monthly fee. Yes, MMO servers cost money to run, but not as much as some of you have been led to believe.

The monthly fee is simply outragous, and I can't believe so many people buy into it.

If Champions or Star Trek Online don't require such a ridiculous monthly fee, then I'd certainly play them, and I'd much prefer to do it on the 360, rather than my PC.

WiiFTW @ Jul 30th 2008 1:37PM

@ snowblind:

You're partially right.

"The current world of Guild Wars is that of instanced maps in every area except the cities, where no fighting goes on. This will change with GW2 as players can interact with each other in a more persistent setting, similar to more traditional MMOs. Instancing will stay in certain areas though, such as dungeons."

http://www.massively.com/2008/06/19/gearing-up-for-guild-wars-2/

Rob Accomando @ Jul 30th 2008 1:31AM

SOW PLS?

Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Jul 30th 2008 1:38AM

I'm not into MMOs, but I would have tried the Marvel Universe MMO for sure. I love the Marvel Universe and I'd like to see how a console version would have come out.

Maybe they'll pick the games development back up for the next-gen Xbox and maybe they'll have this as a launch title. One can only hope.

Divine Dirtclod @ Jul 30th 2008 2:41AM

I'm still secretly hoping that they have True Fantasy Live Onilne in the works somewhere.

FOXHOUND @ Jul 30th 2008 7:55AM

¬_¬ That's actually what got me hooked on the idea of getting a Xbox, until I found out they could be modded to hell; which was a better reason.

I'm not sure who had TFLO, but it would be neat-o torpedo to see that re-emerge.

John Z @ Jul 30th 2008 8:43AM

Indeed, its announcement was a big reason I got the original Xbox. Its cancellation was a big reason I sold off said box, as well-- sue me, I was young and impulsive. I'd love to see it come back in an instanced, pseudo-MMO type game along the lines of PSO or Guild Wars. I wonder, honestly, if it couldn't be done with a disc-less distribution, either as an XBLA title (unlikely) or some form of Xbox Originals-like model.

Of course, since the project is dead in the water, I can speculate all I want in between fits of crying for the lost opportunity.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Jul 30th 2008 10:34AM

Wasn't it level 5 who were making True Fantasy ONline?

FOXHOUND @ Jul 30th 2008 10:56AM

VEGETA---
Yeah, it was them. According to the wiki article's speculation(linked below); Level5 and Microsoft fell out of favor with that whole ordeal... which kinda sucks because it sounds like they had a lot of it done already. I wouldn't mind them reattempting to bring it back to the current consoles(or handhelds)as a MMO. The screens of the artwork, character design, and landscapes I saw on IGN(2nd link below)were pretty slick.

As for the problems with the live chat that Level5 was facing with TFLO; I usually mute that crap anyway, so it wouldn't be a big loss.

Wiki Article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Fantasy_Live_Online
TFLO Images:
http://xbox.ign.com/dor/objects/489459/true-fantasy-live-online/images/wprtflo0001.html

Chase @ Jul 30th 2008 3:49AM

While I don't think it's necessary, I think in-game keyboard and mouse support would be a rather neat addition.

Duke @ Jul 30th 2008 9:59AM

OK, any thoughts on the MMO story?

I think its pretty sad that there has not been a strong push by MS to get something out the door. DC Universe is coming to Sony, and should get some popularity. MS really shouldn't want to lock off this part of the market.