General Discussion

Since the initial boom of MMOs, the number of new studios with profilic staff is growing. A quick review at the ones known to the community:

Red 5 Studios

"Founded in September 2005 by key members behind Blizzard Entertainment's World of WarCraft, including Team Lead Mark Kern, Art Director William Petras, and co-founder of Blizzard Korea Taewon Yun."

Colony Studios

"Colony Studios was founded as a Nevada corporation in late 2006 for the express purpose of developing a next-generation hit MMO title. Colony Studios was founded by game industry veterans for the express purpose of developing next-generation, massively multiplayer online (MMO) products. Our MMO creative team brings to Colony Studios more MMO development experience than any other company at inception, with team members having made significant contributions to half of the top ten hit MMO game titles: World of Warcraft, Eve Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Dark Age of Camelot, City of Heroes." CEOed by Michael Wallis, Eve Online senior producer.

Areae Inc.

"Founded in July of 2006. Areae, Inc. is a company dedicated to taking the tired old virtual world and making it into something fresh and new." Headed by Raph Koster as president, of Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies fame and John Donham of Everquest series.

Heatwave Interactive

"Founded on February 1st, 2007. Heatwave Interactive is an entertainment software company whose mission is to create original, character-based games that unite the power of online gaming with the excitement of traditional video games." Executive management includes Anthony Castoro, Director of MMO Games at Codesmaster, previously on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, and Donn Clendenon, founder of World Gaming Corporation (WGC), I-Sun Networks and V3 Networks.

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As can be seen here, a lot of important people are breaking off from the dinosaur companies and goes into the world of danger and venture. What is this telling us about the MMO industry? Do these developers feel restricted after many years of MMO-making in the said companies?

Combine all these facts with the growing indie MMO community, there is a quiet revolution going on, with developers seriously thinking of ways to break the tedium of the same old MMO formula. There is a massive issue in the MMO industry and there are people out there going to solve it.

The games on the recent horizon may be rehashes of the formula with tweaks, but in 1-3 years' time, it's the time for some real, new stuff. Indie MMOs and casual MMO formulas will also garner more and more attention.

Thy future is bright.

Yep, some real talent in those companies.  There are more than those too, like Bill Roper's group.  They have Hellgate London coming out and also have an unannounced MMO in development.

You also have to look at the other side too.  MMO companies springing up that do not have much experience in the genre.  You might see something really different from them.

We will just have to wait and see.

Originally posted by Sandcastle

[...]

As cann be seen here, a lot of important people are breaking off from the dinosaur companies and goes into the world of danger and venture. What is this telling us about the MMO industry? Do these developers feel restricted after many years of MMO-making in the said companies?

[...]

It's not a full guarantee that any of the veterans or even the indie community can whip out the next big MMO, but the environment is ripe for that. It will be years before most of them will announce any titles on MMORPG.com, no doubt.

Hmm, I sense some pessimism in the air. Surely we doubt after the past disappointments. Which is better, having somewhere else to look to, or wallow in MMO depression?

... the third option is make the game ourselves, of course. That's what the indie community and middleware companies are for!

Originally posted by Jetrpg

Originally posted by Sandcastle

[...]

As cann be seen here, a lot of important people are breaking off from the dinosaur companies and goes into the world of danger and venture. What is this telling us about the MMO industry? Do these developers feel restricted after many years of MMO-making in the said companies?

[...]

No these people didn't break off they got their asses fired. Well more realistic they were fired becuase that was big co. do after you make a game for them ... they fire you.

These people didn't want to just get hired to be fired agian so they are makign their own companies so that when they make a game they see the profits for their work and so they can fire the people the later hire , just like the big co.s did to them ... its a good busisness you know.

This is said sarcasticly but its the sad truth .... unions for game makers rofl.

Can you confirm that situation for all the developers above? Are you also sure that other current MMO companies won't hire them just because a bigger dude "fired" someone?

Woah, the murky air of pessimism is strong. Come on, let's show some support for these guys and the indie community. You guys make it sound as if Gamasutra will never ever have any good news for the industry anymore.

EDIT: To your edit above, maybe I misread or just do not plainly understand the tone of your message. But yeah, the bigger companies do that. Can't blame them with their huge gambles with each titles.