In this week's edition of Garrett Fuller's Wednesday column, he takes a look at what he calls "The Rise of the Indy MMO" and four games that exemplify it: Wizard 101, Fallen Earth, Global Agenda and Alganon.
The first game is Wizard 101. The game has become a huge success for KingsIsle Entertainment. It did not have the corporate power of Nickelodeon, Disney, or Cartoon Network behind it; these guys were on their own. What they have done is created a kids game that also appeals to hardcore adult players as well. The game is fun first and the business model followed second. Wizard 101 is a true example of success in the kids MMO market. Not only do they offer micro transaction options, but they have a subscription plan, and a family subscription plan. The game has upwards of five million registered users, but those are just numbers. The real test is to log into the game and check out the zones. There are players everywhere especially in the opening areas of the school. Wizard 101 is a great example of what an independent game can become without rules and restrictions. Pointy hats off to the guys at KingsIsle, they created a great game.
Read it all here.
