2010, Arguably the second worst year in MMO history. Though most of us haven't been knee deep in the MMO culture for very long, the majority are vigilant enough to see that 2010, was a horrible year for the MMO's.

Carrying on the trend from 2009, arguably the bottom of the trough in this "MMO recession", whether it be spill over from major economic problems, or simply a slow death to a dieing breed of games, 2010 was Plagued by failure after failure. It did however have some redemption, a silver lining had appeared in the form of a new and exciting set of next-gen MMO's. Whether or not we are blinded by desperation, is yet to be decided. I too have felt the pangs of hunger, a thirst for adventure, a need for cleansing of the old, and birth of the new, but do we ask for too much?

It seams at times, that we as MMO players, are expecting our developers to re-invent the "MMO Wheel" so to speak, and it is a fine line between what is new this year, and what was recycled from last year. What we really want is a re-invention of the foundations of what constitutes an MMO, and thus we are stuck in a rut, looking through our cookie cutter glasses, never to be satisfied.

So let us look to the future with an open mind, and pray that we find that glimmer of joy we experienced, when we first set foot, into a virtual world.

~ A casual gamer.

Feel free to discuss.

not gonna happen. this is the same "feeling" we had in 2009. these "next-gen" mmos will also leave a bitter taste in our mouths

I hope this isn't true, I really want to enjoy the genre again. Thanks for reading =]

I'm pretty sure I can pull up this exact same post every year since 2004.

Venge Sunsoar

I guess there are like-minded people out there :P

I honestly don't expect anything to change either. Gaming, in general is making a move towards the casual market, so don't get a heart attack when these games, that you think, will usher a new beginning for MMOs end up looking vaguely for alarmingly similar to "it which shall not be named"

While Warcraft may not be may not be the most popular game on these boards for the direction in which it has taken the MMO industry, a very similar thing happened with consoles.

When it was launched most gamers laughed at Nintendo's Wii saying it was a joke, and that Sony and Microsoft were the real trailblazers who would take console gaming into its bright and HD future. 5 years later, after Nintendo beat both of them combined in hardware sales, Sony and Microsoft are now playing catch up with the Move and KInect.

Also keep in mind, from the time it was announced, virtually every game blog/podcast i saw, said that Kinect would fail hard since it was taking Microsofts (mostly) hardcore fanbase down the casual route with Kinectimals and Sports titles. Well the fact that it has sold more than 2.5 million units in 25 days should put that argument to rest.

So don't scratch your head when the new batch of MMOs take the casual route. The days when MMOs were a played by a select, passionate few are long gone. Sadly, making games easy and accessible is far more important than making them challenging and innovative these days.  

I'm really only interested in one new release, which is The Old Republic.

I think this is a make it or break it release.

1. It's the first big release using the Hero Engine.

2. It will be Pay to Play, and actual subscription game.

3. Star Wars

4. Probably one of the most expensive MMORPGs to develop so far.

This is gonna determine what the future holds for big budget, known IP, subscription based games.

Originally posted by angrylama15

I guess there are like-minded people out there :P

I with ya brother.  You never know then that great game will come out of the blue and grab you like no other.  I do believe my next mmo will come from the class of 2011.

cheers.

2009 was bad.  So many games and so much disappointment.  2010 didn't matter to me much, as I moved around from game to game like years past.  Every once in a while I find a jewel that keeps me around a few months and then I go searching again.  Some of us, "MMORPGers," have this curse of ennui where we're, seemingly, destined to walk in a nastalgic shadow of gloom searching for the game that takes us back while moving us forward.  Here's to 2011!

/drink 

2011 won't be as worse, but it will be the 3rd worst. Every upcoming game is not going to live up to their expectations. Only one will not "fail", and that game isn't even a real MMO even if advertised as such.

1 game so far i know lives up to its promises and thats rifts. and if GW2 does also then theirs 2..year its not many but its fresh and alot of fun. and these guys took all of are issues with games n ended them with their games in their own style. probally will be few more but who knows 2011 isnt here so no one can say.but i know Rift's will be the good mmo of the years..just curious if their will be more or not.

Originally posted by Ihmotepp

I'm really only interested in one new release, which is The Old Republic.

I think this is a make it or break it release.

1. It's the first big release using the Hero Engine.

2. It will be Pay to Play, and actual subscription game.

3. Star Wars

4. Probably one of the most expensive MMORPGs to develop so far.

 

This is gonna determine what the future holds for big budget, known IP, subscription based games.

warhammer online

big ip -  check

big budget - check

sub base-check

well known dev -check

should i continue with age of conan or swg?

I'm not criticizing TOR but i find your hype to be base on unrealistic assumption.

Things i would go for TOR to be successful would probably be the casual tested and proven gameplay, decision making plot design, different story for different class, sci fi setting etc etc

Originally posted by Ihmotepp

I'm really only interested in one new release, which is The Old Republic.

You keep talking about how grouping is the pinnacle of MMO's, then get excited about a solo fest.

What's wrong with you?

Originally posted by VengeSunsoar

I'm pretty sure I can pull up this exact same post every year since 2004.

wise man is wise

To be honest,  I don't know what to expect, but I do think that 2011 will be a crossroads for the MMORPG industry.  If 2011 proves to be a lot like 2009 expect to see massive changes in the industry, more than likely better for us.  Basically, if they fail to deliver in 2011, then that is a sign that MMORPG players are finally willing to vote with their wallets against poor games.

Originally posted by Hyanmen

2011 won't be as worse, but it will be the 3rd worst. Every upcoming game is not going to live up to their expectations. Only one will not "fail", and that game isn't even a real MMO even if advertised as such.

At least this year we are getting new features like dynamic content, improvements to storytelling, and more action-oriented combat.  Even if they are all failures, they might bring something new to the table at least.  2009 and 2010 didn't really bring anything new in the way of features, at least not MAJOR features.  Look at the lineup:

Rift - Dynamic Content

Guild Wars 2 - Dynamic Content, Personalized Story

KOTOR - Improvements to storytelling, branches, etc.

TERA - Combat without targetting, more action oriented

Blade & Soul (beta rumored to begin in late 2011) - More action oriented combat and travel, combo system

The Secret World (may not be a 2011 release) - More action oriented combat and ARG style puzzles rumored

Let's not forgot that there are plenty of other lesser known titles being released next year that may just suprise.

2009 and 2010 looked like bad years from the start.  All the information about the games that was slowly being released didn't really promise anything new and exciting.  I personally didn't have any good expectations from any of the MMOs on those years and I wasn't disappointed as much as I would have loved to be pleasantly suprised.  At least 2011 looks different and I have high hopes for at least a few of those titles succeeding.

2011 will be ruled by SWTOR (lets just say a little birdy told me). 2012 will be dominated by GW2 (since its not coming out in 2011).

The upcoming 2011 (with highly anticipated games like GW2, Rift, SW:TOR)  reminds me of the 2008 season (with highly anticipated games like WAR and AoC).

Question is will history repeat itself. I pray it doesnt. But even I know many of these upcoming games are not 'the answer' to the current MMO doldrums.

Originally posted by Czzarre

The upcoming 2011 (with highly anticipated games like GW2, Rift, SW:TOR)  reminds me of the 2008 season (with highly anticipated games like WAR and AoC).

Question is will history repeat itself. I pray it doesnt. But even I know many of these upcoming games are not 'the answer' to the current MMO doldrums.

This is the second time you have posted this.....can you please go into detail what you believe this so called "Answer" is? I am ever so curious.