In The Free Zone today we take a look at the web-based Game of Thrones game in development and at the larger issue of non-game IPs being brought to web browsers everywhere. We've also got a look at the continued growth of the Chinese game development industry. Keep reading!

It's only natural that at any given time, certain things in the MMOG space grab my attention or arouse my curiosity more than others. In this respect, I realized long ago that I think differently from most people because I'm just as interested in market trends, the global landscape, the industry, the development process, etc. as I am in individual games. This is reflected in these topics that have been on my mind recently.

Read more of Richard Aihoshi's The Free Zone: Winter is Coming… And It’s Web-based.

I am thinking this world--as much as I love it--is probably not the best MMORPG setting, sadly.

Nothing would be an immersion breaker quite like having your butt ganked by a roving gang of Lannisters, all named Jaymeee or some derivitive.

And you *have* to have scheming politics in this IP. A Game of Thrones game without back biting politics would be like a Star Wars game without lightsabers, and I have a hard time seeing how some browser based, P2W game will have a good system for that.

And if it is to be made into an MMO, I really cringe when I see it is a F2P game which is browser based... I will check it out, maybe, just to give it the benefit of the doubt, but don't hold much hope for this not sucking.

They also made a TCG on Game of Thrones, saw it in a store yesteray, I will try this MMO but I have doubts on it capturing the magic of the books or the TV series.

Game of Thrones could be an interesting RTS game.

Originally posted by Naral

I am thinking this world--as much as I love it--is probably not the best MMORPG setting, sadly.

Nothing would be an immersion breaker quite like having your butt ganked by a roving gang of Lannisters, all named Jaymeee or some derivitive.

And you *have* to have scheming politics in this IP. A Game of Thrones game without back biting politics would be like a Star Wars game without lightsabers, and I have a hard time seeing how some browser based, P2W game will have a good system for that.

And if it is to be made into an MMO, I really cringe when I see it is a F2P game which is browser based... I will check it out, maybe, just to give it the benefit of the doubt, but don't hold much hope for this not sucking.

 

This is a quote from a carebear...pvpers needn't pay it any mind.  For the sandbox owpvper...this is what we've been dying for!  Those liking the game, but don't want the owpvp mindset should probalby look at the new cryptic title Neverwinter.

Whoa, browser based means low content.  This will be at best a CCC rated game.  Shame for such a popular IP.

Politics required.

Without an innovative, or at least interesting, politics system, I would feel like they didn't do their homework enough to make this IP happen.

ahfn2110- What gives you the right to be arbiter of whether someone's opinion is valid or not? I happen to completely agree with the poster you quoted. Despite what you pvp-oriented players think, these games are still "roleplaying" games at their core, and immersion is just as important as pvp balance-- ESPECIALLY with regards to an IP that is grounded in political intrigue. You want meaningless PVP, might I suggest some multiplayer Call of Duty, or perhaps Darkfall.

Bigpoint ?

Ok. Not interested.

Why do some crappy backwater companies get the best IPs? Well, Bioware was a good company and it didn't do too good with SWTOR but if they mess it up I can only feel pity for the game that will become the first Game of Thrones MMO.

I suspect it will basically be the same as Game of Thrones RTS...godawful and lackluster instead of awsomely epic. Sigh.

L2sell intellectual property!  :D

Originally posted by jonrd463

ahfn2110- What gives you the right to be arbiter of whether someone's opinion is valid or not? I happen to completely agree with the poster you quoted. Despite what you pvp-oriented players think, these games are still "roleplaying" games at their core, and immersion is just as important as pvp balance-- ESPECIALLY with regards to an IP that is grounded in political intrigue. You want meaningless PVP, might I suggest some multiplayer Call of Duty, or perhaps Darkfall.

 

Yeah, their post read to me like the classic "If a MMO has PvP, then it's all about PvP and nothing else, and anyone who's interested in any other aspect (even if the game has them) should go play something else.

I see this in any upcoming MMO's community that I follow. A game could have a list of 10 featured gameplay systems, only one of which is PvP. That same crowd of people will come in, declare the other 9 systems non-important and tell anyone interested in them to go play something else, because that game is "all about hardcore PvP". 

This happened to a degree with DF. AV was pushing DF as being equally about PvP and PvE. Bring up PvE in the forums, though, and you were ripped a new one and informed that DF was not about PvE but all about hardcore PvP. 

It's as though if a MMO has PvP in any variety that's open-world, they move themselves in and claim ownership of it. Very bizarre. 

Best thing is just to ignore them, I guess.

Originally posted by Beowulfsam

Why do some crappy backwater companies get the best IPs?

Because, contrary to your personal biases and assumptions, it's a good company and it manages some very successful games.

This topic has been killed to death already on the forums.

BigPoint are making it, which means they'll destroy it into oblivion. They don't know how to make proper MMOs, or even Browser Based Games (see BattleStar Galactica Online).

I'm surprised you had the stones to post this particular news (from last year, btw) Mr.Aihoshi. There isn't a single soul that I know that likes BigPoint, or even considers them a developer. If you've even tried BSG:Online you'd know what I'm talking about. Most "F2P" centric news sites are ignoring Game Of Thrones Online BECAUSE of BigPoint being the developer.

Think of it as a proverbial "black eye" on the "F2P" market.

 This isn't one to look out for obviously. It won't do well whatsoever. With BigPoint in control.

Originally posted by Loktofeit

Originally posted by Beowulfsam

Why do some crappy backwater companies get the best IPs?

Because, contrary to your personal biases and assumptions, it's a good company and it manages some very successful games.

 

To which company do you speak of? It most certainly is NOT BigPoint. Go install BSG:Online and you'll know right away you were mistaken if you WERE talking about BigPoint.

Originally posted by Naral

Nothing would be an immersion breaker quite like having your butt ganked by a roving gang of Lannisters, all named Jaymeee or some derivitive.

So this game will be less like Game of Thrones, and more like the opening combat sequence to The Hunger Games..[mod edit]

"When you play Game of Thrones, you pay to win... or you die. There is no middle ground." 

- BigPoint's Motto. 

"What's more, I can't help but think that as those companies direct more of their attention toward this hemisphere, they will give more consideration to starting their own studios here."

True there is an XLGames America in Austin TX, maybe they are doing more than localizing Korean made games for the English speaking audience.  Why would asian companies leave behind that fine asian work ethic and come here?

"However, Middle-earth Online would have been a more accurate title for the game since it only takes place in the same world during the same time frame, which I regarded from the get-go as a far less appealing proposition"

I too felt that Westeros Online would be a better title for this game.  I'm sure everyone is looking forward to playing Lannister foot soldier #4172.  I hope there will be a "Lord Varys" class or may be a "Ros/Shae" class.  But I doubt it, I expect there to be a Melee class, a Range class, maybe a Healer.  I expect the quests to be along the lines of collect 20 Dothraki hair braids, or deliver this message to The Wall.  And someone has to play "Samwell Tarly", we all can't be Jon Snow.  Time will tell.

This is what happens when the owners of intellectual properties don't do any real due diligence research on the gaming industry prior to signing a deal.  Here you have an IP that could make one hell of a great AAA MMORPG, but instead it will end up being a joke of a game that few people play. Yet another Movie/Tv conversion that utterly fails.