To the OP ,there is already a couple games with spin offs on the Rockstar type of game for a MMO.Personally i think Rockstar's GTA series is kind of ho hum game play and they utilize all static buildings,i am not so sure they could do a good MMO.let alone a MMORPG.

As for my opinion,THREE very obvious choices,Micorosft needs to get back in this game, still can't believe they deleted their Ensemble Studios ,an mmo needs that sort game play in it,with lots of NPC interaction and moving around doing things to the city.Microsoft seemed to be getting out a long time ago ,i think it was AC2 was their last venture and they did not seem interested.

My other obvious choice is EPIC games.These are the Unreal engine guys,they have amassed great stuff with that engine and a great series of games in the Unreal series/Gears of War,all with a very limited staff[75],when compared to other giant developers.The problem is that Epic would have to hire more people,they are very dedicated to servicing their engine and have a lot of licensees going,so at 75 people they could not do it in a timely fashion to keep up with standards.

THere is actually a 3rd candidate,but he is a funny type of developer,he is considered one of the smartest guys out there,but is an ANTI Micrososft guy.That is why he sticks to the Opengl platform.This is none other than ID games John Carmack.

His fame includes Wolfenstein 3d/Doom/Quake an old fave of mine Heretic.His game engine was used for Half Life/Call of Duty/Medal of Honour.J.Carmacks partner in crime John Romero is a VERY smart guy,he is the co founder of ID games and is sort of the brains behind the games designs.He also ported a very big fave of mine the old Might nMagic games,they have labeled him as the guy who created "DEATHMATCH"

So you can see these are maybe the most aggressive and smartest guys out there,if any of those developers wanted to put out a great game,i am sure it would be at least comparable to any other game out there.I think Microsoft is not thinking too clearly right now,sure the Asheron Call series did not do well,but man that was a long time ago,when high bandwidth was not in every household yet and MMO gaming had a very small following.Times have changed,there is a lot of money out there,idk maybe they are smarter than i give them credit for,maybe they look at WOW and figure there is no logic to developing a good MMO,it is all luck.

Originally posted by Xirik

Koei, Cause a Dynasty Warriors MMO would be hot.

 

And yes I know there is a Dynasty Warriors online but thats only in Japan and South Korea

I believe they actually have a MMORPG rgiht now in China or Japan,it is exactly like the Romance of the Three KIngdoms game with massive battles.Ifit is not Koei it is still a game that is identical to Koei's game,i saw the videos on YOU Tube awhile back.I am pretty sure i even posted the vids at MMORPG,albeit it was awhile ago.

Originally posted by Visc

Rockstar is who I would suggest.

What Company do you have in mind?

I reckon Blizzard could make a pretty good one if they put their minds to it.

_{I'll go to my room....}

John Romero (Slipgate Ironworks) IS making an MMO now.  

Originally posted by Malcanis

 

I reckon Blizzard could make a pretty good one if they put their minds to it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_{I'll go to my room....}

...nah, Bioware. Compare their games. When Blizzard had Diablo 1 and 2 out, Bioware dug in deep with games like Fallout 1/2, Baldurs Gate 1/2, Icewind Dale (Diablo with adventure feel) and their praised rpg master piece Planescape Torment. If Blizzard should decide to make a mmo it is prolly going to be a toony hack and slash with millions of carrots ( on sticks) and a catering for the mass market. Planescape Torment Online ftw.
 

Paradox Interactive

Infocom if they still made games but they got killed by activision in a merger

btw they make Zork