At our sister site, FPSGuru.com, Managing Editor Jon Wood responds to the news that Activision Blizzard will offer a subscription service for the upcoming FPS, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Today, we got our hands on some information that might tip the scales in the Battlefield 3 vs Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 debate. As it turns out, Activision Blizzard, the company behind the Call of Duty franchise will be looking to charge gamers a monthly fee for access to online portions of their game.

The move itself shouldn’t come as a galloping shock to anyone, given the fact that Activision Blizzard’s other huge moneymaker, World of Warcraft, has been raking in the dough on a continuing basis since that game launched in November of 2004. Why shouldn’t they at least try to do the same thing with the Call of Duty Franchise?

Check out Jon's "Response to a Call of Duty Subscription Fee".

Guys, we're taking this interview down as it was meant to run next week. We're replacing it with the proper video and interview. Sorry for the confusion.

MMORPG.com columnist Isabelle Parsley writes this week about endgame, its place in the MMO world and whether or not our current systems are enough.

Before I started playing WoW in 2004, I’d never actually heard the term “endgame” in an MMO context; but then, suddenly, it and its associated expressions were everywhere. “The game begins at 60!” people said, as if that were a great thing in itself and as if that explained everything.
The MMOs I’d played for any length of time before then didn’t have that concept. Asheron’s Call had relatively slow leveling in most cases, and as far as I could tell hitting max level didn’t really make all that much difference to how people played and what they did when they played. I don’t even think that, back then, there was content that was specifically designed for people who had hit the level cap.

Read Player Perspectives.

MMORPG.com's Jon Wood spends some time this week talking about the future for Sony Online Entertainment in a post-PSN hack world.

The question burning in my mind, and the minds of many others these last few days is a simple one: Can SOE make it in a post-PSN hack environment.

I’m not going to spend time re-hashing the ins and outs and specifics of the incident. it suffices enough to say that security issues forced Sony to close down its PlayStation Network and that later, as a result of the same security breach, Sony Online Entertainment was forced to shut its servers down on May 2nd, and kept them down until May 14th, denying their players access to their games.

Check out the whole article, here.

I know this is in the right category here, but you guys should move this discussion over to FPSGuru.com, our FPS specific site!

Jon

The team here at MMORPG.com is pleased to announce the launch of our second sister site, FPSGuru.com

Continuing the “Guru” franchise, FPSGuru will serve the First Person Shooter community by providing reviews, previews, interviews and more from your favorite FPS games.

So if you, or any of the people that you know, are fans of the fast-paced genre that dominates both the PC and console markets then head on over to FPSGuru.com today and vote on your favorite games, upload custom game maps, discuss the games on our forums and more.

Check out FPSGuru.com here.

In any case, this isn't the thread to talk about whether or not you think our reviews are biased, etc. it's a place to talk about the direction that the format of our reviews should take in the future. We could continue arguing, but it's just going to boil down to the same stuff it always does. People are going to make accusations and I'm going to respond to them and no one will be more convinced of anything either way. 

If people want to think we're corrupt, then that's their perogative, I suppose. 

So, if I overreacted,then I apologize. I'm tired of having to defend myself from accusations against my integrity on a daily basis and I lashed out. 

In any case, let's get this back on topic please.

Originally posted by SBE1

Perhaps the next editorial post you make Jon should be about the way MMORPG reviews games and gives them such glowing reviews despite how awful it must be for games to be released incomplete. 

 

Seriously? Prehaps you may want to doa  little research before calling me out publically. Bith myself and many other people who work on this site, have answered this so many times. Our reviewers are not coearced and the score that they produce is not altered by staff. Why? Because that way, there is no way for editorial to in any way corrupt the scores. Which we'e accused of all the time. So yeah *shrug* I don't know what else to say on the matter. Believe me, don't believe me, that's your right as a consumer but please try to be informed before calling someone out. 

Originally posted by Sovrath

My other thought is that MMORPG.COM should (as another had indicated) open the door to other larger guilds or just guilds that do things that are noteworthy.

 

We have never closed our doors to any guild... ever. The Syndicate is simply the first large guild that reached out to us. I strongly encourage, should they want to, other large scale guilds to approach us.

Whatever you personal feelings about this particular guild, Its leader,the man we have writing the articles, is well respected within the industry. I've spoken with him a number of times about MMOs and the stuff that goes on around them and he has always been very knowledgable. That's why he has a column here. 

The guild perspective is an area of MMOs that we've lacked in our columns in the past. We're seeking to rectify that.

Originally posted by finnmacool1

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by finnmacool1

"MMORPG.com is pleased to feature a brand new column that will focus on gaming communities. No one is more eminently qualified to talk about these two critical features than the President and CEO of The Syndicate Sean Stalzer. Read Sean's introductory column as he offers up his qualifications and some thoughts about the future of his column."

 

I havent even made it to the article and already two bones to pick. First off, what TWO critical FEATURES are you talking about? A community isnt a "feature" and even if it was that's only one example.

Secondly, are you seriously trying to say no one in the entire world of gaming is more "eminently" qualified than this person in the realm of game communities? Seriously? No one? Is anyone remotely close? Maybe you could give us your top ten and list what ranking system you used to tally that score.

So, hyperbole not really in your vocab then?

I prefer honesty and integrity.

ooh, burn.

Seriously man, it's a video game website. a little bit of hyperbole won't hurt. No need to take everything so 100% seriously. It ws written obviously in a hyperbolic style, and you're nitpicking. Let it go and roll with it.

Originally posted by finnmacool1

"MMORPG.com is pleased to feature a brand new column that will focus on gaming communities. No one is more eminently qualified to talk about these two critical features than the President and CEO of The Syndicate Sean Stalzer. Read Sean's introductory column as he offers up his qualifications and some thoughts about the future of his column."

 

I havent even made it to the article and already two bones to pick. First off, what TWO critical FEATURES are you talking about? A community isnt a "feature" and even if it was that's only one example.

Secondly, are you seriously trying to say no one in the entire world of gaming is more "eminently" qualified than this person in the realm of game communities? Seriously? No one? Is anyone remotely close? Maybe you could give us your top ten and list what ranking system you used to tally that score.

So, hyperbole not really in your vocab then?

Originally posted by finnmacool1

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Arentas

The only problem with sandbox games is that they aren't developed with AAA budgets.  If anything, sandbox games are far more fun to just start out in because they are ripe with untapped opportunity.  

If, for instance, Blizzard developed a sandbox game and dumped hundred million into it, then that game would be extremely successful regardless of the fact that its a sandbox.  It's all about the money Lebowski.

The only reason themepark titles are prevalent is because Blizzard created a highly polished, quality, theme-park MMO... and because everyone is trying to copy it.

It's all about the quality of the product, not whether its a themepark or a sandbox.  And quality usually requires a lot of money.   

Eve is successful... not because its some sort of crazy anomaly amongst sandbox MMOs, but because its a polished, deep, well thought out, well designed game.

 

Games like Darkfall,  Mortal Online, etc are not doing exceptionally well because they are low budget products with lots of design flaws.  That's all there is to it.

Read this, and read it again Jon Wood. Read it it so much that it shows up in your dreams at night. This is the reason why there aren't any QUALITY sandbox games about or in production these days. If a company sank $100 million into a sandbox effort and polished it to the "d" as Trion did with Rift, you'd have a game that would do just as well or better than 95% of the "efforts" being made today.

But, neither you nor anyone on this site can name a sandbox MMO that has seen HALF of that investment amount put into it and worked on by a veteran team after 2004. Sure, we've seen half-baked attempts by a few companies whose only reason for making a sanbox attempt was that none of the big, budget capable AAA companies is doing it.

It's not as though I'm ignorant of the argument. It's just way too simplistic an argument to make. Of course the games would be better if they were better funded.

Here's the tough reality though:

No one is going to put that much money into developing a sandbox when sandboxes have, on the whole, been unsuccessful and not supported even by the players who claim to want them. We can flail our arms and jump up and down all we want and say we want it, but the fact and the statistics (which are what game companies actually pay attention to).

The article makes two very specific points:

First: No major investment is going to be made into a sandbox MMO unless the folks with the cash see that people will actually play them. and support them.

Second: Sandboxes, by their nautre, have to start small in order to properly grow to fit their audience. They can't just "spring forth" completely "finished".

The vicious circle is that any studio looking to make a sandbox, because they aren't going to have the large investment that comes with a theme park, is going to be forced to have a smaller development team and a shorter development cycle. It's simple business. As a result, the games that they're working on are smaller in scope and generally more buggy. In turn, players won't support it and the cycle begins again.

Look, you can hate on me all you want for saying it, but that doesn't make it any less true. It's not like Activision or EA is suddenly going to wake up one morning and go: Let's dump a bunch of money into a huge risk. That's not how ig companies with a lot of money work.

I want a good sandbox as much as anybody. It's what attracted me to MMOs in the first place. That said, I don't have blinders on as to hw the industry works and moves. Sometimes the truth sucks.

Yes your "argument" is much more detailed and complex /rolleyes. All mmo's start small and grow to fit their audience, it isnt just sandbox games. Im sorry but it isnt too much to expect mmo's large or small to release cleanly, its been done before by companies large and small.

You're semi correct when you say there wont be a major investment into a sandbox mmo but it has nothing to do with the success or failure of swtor. There wont be a major investment into a sandbox game until the market proves there is a audience to support one.

Which has everthign to do with the success or failure of SWTOR. SWTOR, if it fails, will open the door to more investment in the smaller niche games, including sandboxes.

But hey, you're welcome to your own opinion.

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by Arentas

The only problem with sandbox games is that they aren't developed with AAA budgets.  If anything, sandbox games are far more fun to just start out in because they are ripe with untapped opportunity.  

If, for instance, Blizzard developed a sandbox game and dumped hundred million into it, then that game would be extremely successful regardless of the fact that its a sandbox.  It's all about the money Lebowski.

The only reason themepark titles are prevalent is because Blizzard created a highly polished, quality, theme-park MMO... and because everyone is trying to copy it.

It's all about the quality of the product, not whether its a themepark or a sandbox.  And quality usually requires a lot of money.   

Eve is successful... not because its some sort of crazy anomaly amongst sandbox MMOs, but because its a polished, deep, well thought out, well designed game.

 

Games like Darkfall,  Mortal Online, etc are not doing exceptionally well because they are low budget products with lots of design flaws.  That's all there is to it.

Read this, and read it again Jon Wood. Read it it so much that it shows up in your dreams at night. This is the reason why there aren't any QUALITY sandbox games about or in production these days. If a company sank $100 million into a sandbox effort and polished it to the "d" as Trion did with Rift, you'd have a game that would do just as well or better than 95% of the "efforts" being made today.

But, neither you nor anyone on this site can name a sandbox MMO that has seen HALF of that investment amount put into it and worked on by a veteran team after 2004. Sure, we've seen half-baked attempts by a few companies whose only reason for making a sanbox attempt was that none of the big, budget capable AAA companies is doing it.

It's not as though I'm ignorant of the argument. It's just way too simplistic an argument to make. Of course the games would be better if they were better funded.

Here's the tough reality though:

No one is going to put that much money into developing a sandbox when sandboxes have, on the whole, been unsuccessful and not supported even by the players who claim to want them. We can flail our arms and jump up and down all we want and say we want it, but the fact and the statistics (which are what game companies actually pay attention to).

The article makes two very specific points:

First: No major investment is going to be made into a sandbox MMO unless the folks with the cash see that people will actually play them. and support them.

Second: Sandboxes, by their nautre, have to start small in order to properly grow to fit their audience. They can't just "spring forth" completely "finished".

The vicious circle is that any studio looking to make a sandbox, because they aren't going to have the large investment that comes with a theme park, is going to be forced to have a smaller development team and a shorter development cycle. It's simple business. As a result, the games that they're working on are smaller in scope and generally more buggy. In turn, players won't support it and the cycle begins again.

Look, you can hate on me all you want for saying it, but that doesn't make it any less true. It's not like Activision or EA is suddenly going to wake up one morning and go: Let's dump a bunch of money into a huge risk. That's not how ig companies with a lot of money work.

I want a good sandbox as much as anybody. It's what attracted me to MMOs in the first place. That said, I don't have blinders on as to hw the industry works and moves. Sometimes the truth sucks.

Originally posted by Amannas

Now if you all saw this from any of us in here,any,you could have said 'what a troll'..How much worse could it be when someone working (he gets payed for this,salaries mean money,money means motive,yes even in here) in this site writes it? I'd say its big bad mojo trolling..cause in this case,they have a profit behind their reasoning. Why do i bother? Good point..except 3 years ago,we had something called Gamespot. Before it became the commercial pimp it is today. That's why. MAybe the first,but doesn't mean the last..You may flame me away now for being so critical of MMORPG's intentions here. I wish you well.

 

Yup. You've got me. Every single positive thing that is ever said on this site is actually done for cash. In reality we're all hate mongers who don't even really like games. In fact, we sit around our Tuscan Villa (bought by all of our awesome ill gotten gains) and do nothing but talk about how crappy games are.

I remember when I heard about that Gamestop incident and thought to myself: Man, I'd like to swim in a vault of money like Scrooge McDuck, so to hell with my eithical and standards. to hell with my long term career, I'm going to write only paid articles for awesomeness from now on. 

I just love living in a world where a person can't say a positive thing about anything without being accused of doing it for money. I love that people honestly think that myself and my profession are that shallow. It's awesome. Don't make me feel horrible at all.

Good thing I sold my principles long ago. Off to my money bin.

Originally posted by Denambren

You can't say that games like Earthrise (!?!!?) and Fallen Earth are games that sandbox fans should have supported. These games were an embarassment to gamers because of the state they were released in. 

 

You probably would have benefited from actually reading the article where I specifically outline EXACTLY what you just said.

Just sayin'

Originally posted by Sabaticus

Jon it almost sounds like your whining. If your that worried about getting your ass blown up have someone else review Dust or build a bunker. I'm sure that Dust 514 will have the same tools that EVE has in respect to being able to be the screwed and the screwer. Dust 514 is at least a year and a half away. The only inflated expectations I see are from the EVE forum griefers, trolls and I guess Jon Wood. I don't know maybe they should have named the trailer something like "EVE: A Future Vision".

 

I'm sure it will too. I'm just saying that with the total lack of info about DUST and how that's going to tie in, it's a dangerous marketing tool to say that the only thing we DO know about is this planetary bombardment. 

Shoot the messenger if you like, but it's an honest to God issue that many potential DUSt players are going to notice.

Do I think that CCP is going to do something that balances the playing field? I do, actually. But it never hurts to bring these things to the forefront BEFORE they become an issue. i'm sure you'll agree.

Originally posted by toxicmango

Originally posted by treelo

In a game that actively encourages backstabbing and corruption, what did you expect?  The only thing they did wrong was get caught in the act.  Take your libertarian conspiracy claptrap elsewhere.

 

 

You seem to confuse game with reality. Customers are paying for a service. If the company fails to provide it, customers take their money elsewhere. If the company goes further and engages in severe corruption or fraud in real life, they can expect to be sued and spend time in court.

Like other apologists in the past, you seem to only promote and sanction it because you don't think it will happen to you or perhaps think that you will be the one on the exploiting end. If tomorrow, CCP staff were caught engaged in misconduct against your corp or your player account, I doubt you would be so positive about it.

 

You've made your point. Please stop hijacking the thread, it's against our Roc. if you hvae a beef, start your own thread.

Sony Online Entertainment has confirmed that along with the layoffs and studio closures that leaked onto the web today, The Agency has closed its doors.

Although news is bad for the fans of the perpetually flagging FPS-style spy MMO, things look decidedly better for fans of the EverQuest and Planetside franchises as the developers were quick to point to those two upcoming titles as the reason for Agency's cancellation.

"As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce, SOE announced today that it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios. As part of this restructuring, SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern.

MMORPG.com will keep up to date on this story as it develops.

*SOE quote originally found at Massively.com.

Originally posted by TheFur

On the other hand, if you want to be a blogger or opinion writer, that is easy. Spew out of your keyboard whatever you like. You don't have to be fair, hell you don't have to be right to state your opinion. But be warned that the facts may come back to bite you in the ass over your opinion. Stating that "reviews are opinions" is a completely wrong and shows that those stating that don't know the difference between the two. And if a reviewer claims that his or her reviews are "just their opinions" doesn't know the difference either.... 

Yep, you're right, you're the professional.

Oh wait a minute, you're not?

Oh, I'm sorry, I was thinking of Bill.

It must really pain you to know everything there is to know and not get paid for it. Yikes.

Originally posted by PSevenn

I dont understands whats with the sooo many positive reactions from mmorpg.com do rift pays u or something ?

Cuz this game is not that perfect as u depict it

Yeah, it's almost as if there's a companion article coming that presents the other side of things. it's ALMOST as if the VERY FIRST PARAGRAPH makes that about as clear as would be humanly possible.

Seriously, read the article or don't comment.