General Discussion

While at the Game Developer's Conference, Jon Wood moderated a panel called "The Future of MMOs" populated by some of the biggest names in the MMO industry. Today, he presents his impressions of the panel's answer to the question of whether or not future developers will need to worry about both a PC and a console version of their games.

In this, the second part of the report on The Future of MMOs panel, I ask the gathered developers if consoles are the way of the future for MMOs, and whether or not future MMOs will have to be developed cross-platform in order to be successful.

As a reminder to the readers, the panel was made up of developers much more knowledgeable than I: Jack Emmert from Cryptic Studios, Matt Miller from NCsoft, Ray Muzyka from Bioware, Min Kim from Nexon and Rob Pardo from Blizzard.

The thought process behind this question, I felt, was fairly obvious. While up until now, it has been fairly easy to think about MMORPGs as a PC – only genre (they aren’t, games like Final Fantasy XI and Phantasy Star have been running on consoles for a while now), the upcoming launch of the PC version of Funcom’s Age of Conan and the pending Xbox 360 release of that same game, as well as SOE’s The Agency, are making more and more people question whether consoles will become the medium of choice for MMO developers.

Read it all here.

I find this good.  As long I am able to play on Xbox Live with other people, then on certain games (like AoC), I would wrather play it on console (although usually I am a PC person.). 

The one bad thing with consoles is that you attract a different kind of crowd.  I'm sure, for example, that AoC will have more mature people playing on PC than on the Xbox version (since much younger people have Xbox Live).

Persoanally, I like to have an option between PC and console, so I can look into both of them and see whhich I would wrather play on.

Is it easier for devs to make games on consoles?  I agree with Rob, that putting games on console, and especially for MMOs, that it will dumb down an MMO way too much then we already have now.  The only reason I can see devs wanting to dumb down a game so it can fit a console is so they can make more money with a mutliple medium.  Unfortunate for us who like complex games like Old SWG and especially games like Eve, hell a consule version of WOW would introduce more and more mindless gameplay

Do you best to try and convince them to stay away from console, or at the very least, have them not mix the two medias.

Originally posted by m240gulf

Is it easier for devs to make games on consoles?  I agree with Rob, that putting games on console, and especially for MMOs, that it will dumb down an MMO way too much then we already have now.  The only reason I can see devs wanting to dumb down a game so it can fit a console is so they can make more money with a mutliple medium.  Unfortunate for us who like complex games like Old SWG and especially games like Eve, hell a consule version of WOW would introduce more and more mindless gameplay

 

Do you best to try and convince them to stay away from console, or at the very least, have them not mix the two medias.

Erm, this point of view really confuses me... Why would using a control pad and mics over Live (or whatever) to commicate be any 'dumber' then using a mouse/ keyboard and Vent? Does it effect lore? Plot? Characterisation? Difficulty or complexity level?

The answer is, of course, no.

Mass Effect, for example, is as complex, well made, immersive, and challenging as any of it's peers on the PC.

'Intelligent' content is not defined by the contoller or the machine, it is defined by the target audience. 

As that target audience has changed, and will continue to change as machines like the Wii and games like Rock Band are putting consoles in the middle of the family, so will the type of games that are offered on them. A game like Spore being developed for the Wii is proof positive of this. APB and AoC (MMOs both) coming on the 360 is more. The fact that they have had WAR running on a 360 already should prove a lot to anyone who is questioning cross platforming as a realistic future in the MMORPG space.

The target audience for consoles has changed in the last 5 years or so, it's just some people here still base an outdated prejudice on what consoles represented before that change.

Originally posted by vesavius

 

Originally posted by m240gulf

Is it easier for devs to make games on consoles?  I agree with Rob, that putting games on console, and especially for MMOs, that it will dumb down an MMO way too much then we already have now.  The only reason I can see devs wanting to dumb down a game so it can fit a console is so they can make more money with a mutliple medium.  Unfortunate for us who like complex games like Old SWG and especially games like Eve, hell a consule version of WOW would introduce more and more mindless gameplay

 

Do you best to try and convince them to stay away from console, or at the very least, have them not mix the two medias.

 

Erm, this point of view really confuses me... Why would using a control pad and mics over Live (or whatever) to commicate be any 'dumber' then using a mouse/ keyboard and Vent? Does it effect lore? Plot? Characterisation? Difficulty or complexity level?

The answer is, of course, no.

 

I myself can't wait for when mmo's go on consoles. Playing on my 52 inch TV and sitting on my couch will make my day.

I cant wait till I can have the same game on both and being able to log on the same account from either my PC or my xbox.  Lets face it if you have family members on the computer or TV you have another option.  How cool would it be to just sit back in a recliner and play an mmo on ur tv??

I think the switch to consoles will be a good thing. I actually wish it already happened, and cannot wait for the first AAA MMO for consoles.

They way I think about it -

1. Performance - It's got to be loads easier to program a game that you know is going to be played on a single machine, a console, rather then something that is designed to work on nearly any conceivable PC variation. This will improve graphics and performance, decrease developer time and money.

2. Ease of access - Now, us MMO vets have no problem installing a PC game, patching it, etc. but I'd rather just be able to pop in a disc and go. You can do this on consoles.

3. - Gameplay - The big one. Obviously, with a console you don't have a full keyboard and mouse setup. Yes, you can use kb/mouse on some consoles already (360) but a MMO designed for use with the controller wouldn't be "dumbed down".

Simple controls doesn't equal simple game play. Someone else mentioned Mass Effect, easy controls, complex and exciting game play. Or any console shooter. No more or less complex then PC counterpart, the compexity and challenge come from the game play itself, not the control medium.

If anything, designed a MMO for console would create a game with a less cluttered and more user-friendly interface. The simpler control mechanics could be used to create a more challenging and action-packed game play experience. Look at Fighting games, relatively simple controls, nearly infinite complexity and strategy.

4. Third party - No need for third party software like Ventrillo or Teamspeak on consoles like 360, server hosting and support via xboxlive, all the built in communications and guild tools xbox live offers, etc.

5. Cost effectiveness - This would be the big one, the MMO developers would have to realize that people are already paying the 5.99 a month or whatever it is for the xboxlive service etc. so they'd have to offer the montly subscription to their game at a cheaper price. Then not only do you get access to your MMO, but all the features and games with xbox live at the same time. I know Microsoft would consider this a big win.

So yeah, personally I cannot wait.

Originally posted by m240gulf

Is it easier for devs to make games on consoles?  I agree with Rob, that putting games on console, and especially for MMOs, that it will dumb down an MMO way too much then we already have now.  The only reason I can see devs wanting to dumb down a game so it can fit a console is so they can make more money with a mutliple medium.  Unfortunate for us who like complex games like Old SWG and especially games like Eve, hell a consule version of WOW would introduce more and more mindless gameplay

 

Do you best to try and convince them to stay away from console, or at the very least, have them not mix the two medias.

THAT is what people are talking about....in case the rest of you don't get it.   You don't pee off your current player base by ruining their characters or completely disabling their abilities to tthe point that they can't be played any more.   People put alot of "work" and time into their characters trying to get them to be the "best" etc/

SOE should have..imho...fired every single one of those lamers who did that to SWG.....the gaming community has not forgotten that faux pas..to this day.

Keep the console players needs and wants separate from the MMO players needs and wants..and you will have happy gamers...

As for games that were large hits as standalone games....think Betheseda and Oblivion.....I have heard rumours that Betheseda has some cash and is thinking of making an MMO.

If they could pull that off....Oblivion ..online or some such...that would be a killer game...methinks.   Hopefully the Devs of these larger well known games..keep these think tanks going...there has to be something for everyone out there...console gamer and MMO player alike...keep on trucking!

Cendharia