So, after 6 long years, WoW is still the best and most popular MMO out there. Why is that? Why haven't other MMOs been able to capture WoW's polish and fun factor?
Discuss you thoughts on the matter.

Lets race sometime. I'll give you a 6 year head start. Then we can see how long it takes me to catch up.

Because there can only be one sheppard.... sheeple tends to stick together you see.

To me, its not much more complicated than that.

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Originally posted by Aganazer
Lets race sometime. I'll give you a 6 year head start. Then we can see how long it takes me to catch up.

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Well there were MMOs released during that 6 year reign that failed to capture a major audience. Like EQ2 was released BEFORE WoW. LotRO 3 years after WoW and Warhammer Online only 4 years after. Those are just a few examples.

1. It's Blizzard. I don't think they've ever released anything that isn't "Revolutionary", "Unique" or "Best-of-the-Best" arguably
2. Built off the best MMORPG of its time (I.E EQ). Took all the best things about EQ and dropped all the worst things.
3. Blizzard's Policy not to release anything until they are 100% confident that it will be successful. Blizzard has always been one to "push-back" release dates, regardless of how much money is lost doing it. They aren't afraid to take gambles.
4. Years of experience in Online Markets. Building upon Battle.net, Blizzard already had their own anti-cheat system (warden), their own engine, etc, which meant they didn't have to rely on any 3rd party software or hardware.
5. Built right out of the good Ol' USA. People can relate to stuff built on their home turf and one can just walk into the offices at Irvine California and chat it up with the representitives.
6. Blizzcon.

Originally posted by Aganazer

Lets race sometime. I'll give you a 6 year head start. Then we can see how long it takes me to catch up.

Too true. Too true. Everyone expects every new game to launch with all the goodies that WoW has now; not the stuff WoW had 6 years ago. I remember when I first started WoW, shortly after the first anniversary, the servers crashed 2 to 3 times a week. Any crash in any game now at launch is considered a sign of failure.

Blizzard spent over 5 years making vanilla WoW and another 6 getting to where it is now. People refuse to give other devs leway to let their games mature.

Originally posted by WhiteLantern

Originally posted by Aganazer

Lets race sometime. I'll give you a 6 year head start. Then we can see how long it takes me to catch up.

Too true. Too true. Everyone expects every new game to launch with all the goodies that WoW has now; not the stuff WoW had 6 years ago. I remember when I first started WoW, shortly after the first anniversary, the servers crashed 2 to 3 times a week. Any crash in any game now at launch is considered a sign of failure.

Blizzard spent over 5 years making vanilla WoW and another 6 getting to where it is now. People refuse to give other devs leway to let their games mature.

Even WoW built upon games that had come before it. The only problem is, WoW did it right first. I think you are being naive to assume that just because WoW is 6 years old that no other MMORPG can compete with it for that reason alone.

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

1. It's Blizzard. I don't think they've ever released anything that isn't "Revolutionary", "Unique" or "Best-of-the-Best" arguably
2. Built off the best MMORPG of its time (I.E EQ). Took all the best things about EQ and dropped all the worst things.
3. Blizzard's Policy not to release anything until they are 100% confident that it will be successful. Blizzard has always been one to "push-back" release dates, regardless of how much money is lost doing it. They aren't afraid to take gambles.
4. Years of experience in Online Markets. Building upon Battle.net, Blizzard already had their own anti-cheat system (warden), their own engine, etc, which meant they didn't have to rely on any 3rd party software or hardware.
5. Built right out of the good Ol' USA. People can relate to stuff built on their home turf and one can just walk into the offices at Irvine California and chat it up with the representitives.
6. Blizzcon.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, best of the best in that stereotypical genre gameplay i can agree a little

But revolutionary and unique HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Its blizzard lol!!!!!

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Originally posted by WhiteLantern

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Originally posted by Aganazer
Lets race sometime. I'll give you a 6 year head start. Then we can see how long it takes me to catch up.

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Too true. Too true. Everyone expects every new game to launch with all the goodies that WoW has now; not the stuff WoW had 6 years ago. I remember when I first started WoW, shortly after the first anniversary, the servers crashed 2 to 3 times a week. Any crash in any game now at launch is considered a sign of failure.
Blizzard spent over 5 years making vanilla WoW and another 6 getting to where it is now. People refuse to give other devs leway to let their games mature.

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Again, if this is true, how come all the other MMOs that were release at about the same time as WoW; or even slightly before it, haven't succeeded?

Originally posted by Wolfy2449

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

1. It's Blizzard. I don't think they've ever released anything that isn't "Revolutionary", "Unique" or "Best-of-the-Best" arguably
2. Built off the best MMORPG of its time (I.E EQ). Took all the best things about EQ and dropped all the worst things.
3. Blizzard's Policy not to release anything until they are 100% confident that it will be successful. Blizzard has always been one to "push-back" release dates, regardless of how much money is lost doing it. They aren't afraid to take gambles.
4. Years of experience in Online Markets. Building upon Battle.net, Blizzard already had their own anti-cheat system (warden), their own engine, etc, which meant they didn't have to rely on any 3rd party software or hardware.
5. Built right out of the good Ol' USA. People can relate to stuff built on their home turf and one can just walk into the offices at Irvine California and chat it up with the representitives.
6. Blizzcon.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, best of the best in that stereotypical genre gameplay i can agree a little

But revolutionary and unique HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Its blizzard lol!!!!!

Blizzard is older than WoW, you know. They were making games before you were even born, I can assure you...

They weren't always known as Blizzard. At one point there were known as Interplay, and even before that they were known as something else.

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

Because even WoW haters like me, know that 95% of the MMOs are trash...just look at some of the one on this website!

And even the AAA MMOs do such stupid things that drive their subscribers away - AoC with Bori, WAR with the latest patch, the EQ and EQ2 Grindfest of same old same old, widespread cheating in APB (rip), LOTRO's redundancy and repetivieness, etc etc etc.

WoW is still the most polished MMO out there, backed by the strongest game company (Blizzard/Activision), they set the trend for game features all the others imitate, despite many other MMO universes existing for decades in novel form or table top game form, making WoW the young kid on the block from a universe stand point.

I cannot tell you how many times I wished Blizzard made MMOs for the Warhammer, Age of Conan, LOTRO and Warhammer 40K universes which are my faves.

My hate for Wow is for its ingame community which turned "trade chat" into daycare for 5 year olds, the 2 frost emblems and out per day syndrome, and having to grind dungeons over and over and over again SUCKS.

My strategy for Cataclysim is to just enjoy questing with my friends, doing Battlegrounds, avoiding the ARENA, DUNGEON grinds, turning off "Trade Chat" and RAIDs unless Blizz has improved these things. Yeah U know thats 75% of the game...but I am only subbing for 1 month..if its still the same old crap I am outta there.

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

Blizzard is older than WoW, you know. They were making games before you were even born, I can assure you...

They weren't always known as Blizzard. At one point there were known as Interplay, and even before that they were known as something else.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

Ehm??Does that mean i should say that EA is the best company ever because they might have not been a total money grabbing company at the past???

I think the current reputation should remove the old one that doesnt exist anymore

Originally posted by Wolfy2449

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

Blizzard is older than WoW, you know. They were making games before you were even born, I can assure you...

They weren't always known as Blizzard. At one point there were known as Interplay, and even before that they were known as something else.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

Ehm??Does that mean i should say that EA is the best company ever because they might have not been a total money grabbing company at the past???

I think the current reputation should remove the old one that doesnt exist anymore

I never said that, and I think you misunderstood what I wrote. Allow me to clear that up right now before it boils over.

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

This ones pretty Simple...Compared to other MMO's like DAoC...WoW was and still is MMO on easy mode

Originally posted by decoy26517

So, after 6 long years, WoW is still the best and most popular MMO out there. Why is that? Why haven't other MMOs been able to capture WoW's polish and fun factor?
Discuss you thoughts on the matter.

Uhmm... Lennon died more then 6 years old and still has some of the most recognisable pieces  :D

The real answer is, people like what  they are used to, and they get used to what they like. Since WoW was the first really "like-able" MMO now new games have it harder because not only they have to be likeable, but also fight off the mentioned fact that people are looking for something very much like WoW but diffenet (ie: influenced by "1"

Originally posted by Aesill

This ones pretty Simple...Compared to other MMO's like DAoC...WoW was and still is MMO on easy mode

Alas, it was not meant to be. One day.. one day we will be able to have a discussion on WoW without someone posting stuff like this...

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

Originally posted by decoy26517

 

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Originally posted by WhiteLantern

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Originally posted by Aganazer
Lets race sometime. I'll give you a 6 year head start. Then we can see how long it takes me to catch up.

---

Too true. Too true. Everyone expects every new game to launch with all the goodies that WoW has now; not the stuff WoW had 6 years ago. I remember when I first started WoW, shortly after the first anniversary, the servers crashed 2 to 3 times a week. Any crash in any game now at launch is considered a sign of failure.
Blizzard spent over 5 years making vanilla WoW and another 6 getting to where it is now. People refuse to give other devs leway to let their games mature.

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Again, if this is true, how come all the other MMOs that were release at about the same time as WoW; or even slightly before it, haven't succeeded?

What is your measure of success? Is 12 million subs the only way to say a game is successful? Last I checked, EQ and EQ2 are still up, LOTRO has a solid fanbase, WAR...... well nevermind that one, but it is still up.

Originally posted by Aesill

This ones pretty Simple...Compared to other MMO's like DAoC...WoW was and still is MMO on easy mode

It was always meant to be more accesible in order to get everyone into playing MMO you know not only the nerd types? but your regular moms and dads, uncles and aunties too. That is why it is so successful because it got something for everyone. WOW is a genre of its own so stop comparing it to other MMOS.

Originally posted by Wolfy2449

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

1. It's Blizzard. I don't think they've ever released anything that isn't "Revolutionary", "Unique" or "Best-of-the-Best" arguably
2. Built off the best MMORPG of its time (I.E EQ). Took all the best things about EQ and dropped all the worst things.
3. Blizzard's Policy not to release anything until they are 100% confident that it will be successful. Blizzard has always been one to "push-back" release dates, regardless of how much money is lost doing it. They aren't afraid to take gambles.
4. Years of experience in Online Markets. Building upon Battle.net, Blizzard already had their own anti-cheat system (warden), their own engine, etc, which meant they didn't have to rely on any 3rd party software or hardware.
5. Built right out of the good Ol' USA. People can relate to stuff built on their home turf and one can just walk into the offices at Irvine California and chat it up with the representitives.
6. Blizzcon.

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, best of the best in that stereotypical genre gameplay i can agree a little

But revolutionary and unique HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, Its blizzard lol!!!!!

Actually Blizzard did take an unique and revolutionary stance on MMO's around the time BC came out and that was to cater to the casual player. They were really the first big name MMO to say "hey, people can enjoy our game without playing 6 hours a night". It really was huge for the MMO genre. I think a lot that drove that was that Blizzard could not keep content generated quickly enough to appease the harccore gamers which WOW was going to be. All of their tester guilds and original game  testers were hardcore MMO players. Heck, even some of their staff belong to some of the most hardcore guilds.

This was revolutionary.

Also, Blizzard built WOW on the blocks of the Warcraft universe which has had (at that time) around 10 years of history behind it.

Most of all Blizzard tipped the genre at the at the right time. There was a lot going on out of their control but benefited them - the rise of social networking, MMO's becoming popular, development of technology, the rise of the casual gamer, etc... Something to be said for being in the right place at the right time.

Originally posted by Miles-Prower

Originally posted by Aesill

This ones pretty Simple...Compared to other MMO's like DAoC...WoW was and still is MMO on easy mode

Alas, it was not meant to be. One day.. one day we will be able to have a discussion on WoW without someone posting stuff like this...

 

~Miles "Tails" Prower out! Catch me if you can!

The question was presented and I replied. Did I say WoW was a BAD Game? Nope I simply said compared to other MMO's its easy mode. NO GAME will ever compete with the seperation of the PvE/PvP that DAoC had. The Epic Battles of 500+ players fighting over the relics. Give me good old fashion PvP batlles over constant Farming of the same Dungeon over and over and overrrrrrr anyday. So please don't take someone not feeding in to the WoW Fan Boi thread as bashing or hating on the game