The Daily Grind: Do you want more console MMOs?

by Seraphina Brennan on Dec 13th 2008 8:00AM

Business models, MMO industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind

MMOs are primarly a PC business. They started here, and they're certainly dominating the PC gaming industry, one hard drive at a time. But why must we limit the MMO to simply the PC machine? What about the untouched masses of the console market? Why must we keep our games to ourselves when we should share freely with the others?

Ok, ok, controller vs. keyboard issues aside, what do all of you think about console MMOs? We already have Final Fantasy XI and Phantasy Star Universe on the Xbox 360 and PS2. We also have The Agency eventually making a debut on the PS3 and the rumored Age of Conan release on the Xbox 360, but 4 MMO games is nowhere near the many many games we have on our PCs.

Do you want to log into Xbox Live or PlayStation Network and boot up your favorite MMO? Would you rather sit on your couch and raid instead of your computer chair? Can cats and dogs live together in harmony? Readers, we need your opinions!

Tags: console, console-gaming, console-mmo, ffxi, final-fantasy-xi, pc-gaming, phantasy-star-universe, playstation-network, psn, psu, square-enix, the-daily-grind, xbl, xbox-live, xbox360

Reader Comments (23)

Or they could try something innovative ala Avencast's spell input system.

Reply

Yes, more console MMOs!

I play Phantasy Star Universe and PS Online, and they're both great for consoles. They are both very different from traditional MMOs -- Guild Wars borrowed quite a bit from PSO, though -- but IMHO that's they're strength. They benefit from being action games, rather than number key-pushers like WoW or WAR. The game is far more visceral, and far more strategic, when knockbacks, juggling, status effects, etc occur in real time, in full 3D space. No other game seems to offer that, and it's a real shame. Tabula Rasa came sort of close, but even that isn't real time.

I play MMOs on the PC, too, and I can say that it is not just a matter of 'dumbing down' games to work on controllers; rather MMOs as a whole can be re-thought. I don't want to play another EverQuest clone on the 360 with an action palette and cool-down timer (which might please WoW fans). I want a game with real combat, which is precisely what console games have been strongest at.

So console MMOs: YES! But lame WoW clones: NO.

I believe that this is a greatly untapped market. I play MMO's on my PC and would love to give them a go on the console.

Personally, the combining of PC & Console is something that needs to be done with every game that is released on both.

For instance imagine what could happen if there was a crossover on TF2 between PC & 360. Yes, yes there are logistic issues to make this happen but I believe that it would be a great leap forward.

Bring the MMO's, if crap they will fall to the wayside. If they are quality they will add another avenue for everyone.

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