Why Microsoft is 'the MMO graveyard'

I thought the MMO graveyard was SOE?

I would offer that there is more to this than only one issue, but a combination and a philosophy.

Sure, there are technical concerns (dealing with console's limitations vs. PC's) and even subscription-based models, but there is ultimately, I think, what made Microsoft Microsoft : Control.

They want to control everything. You can't even buy an old copy of an older windows version without paying full sticker price. I can see some "frayed nerves", but they want everything under their own roof. They always have. From the early pronouncements of Microsoft wanting to connect your refrigerator/toaster to the internet (and Sony beating them to the punch in a different manner), they've caught up and have restricted themselves because of their need for tight control and less personal modding from folks (although I admit Sony has its own rules in that regard).

Especially in hindsight, even with the hope of Bungie or the last few choices, I do not see an MMO on the XBox in the future. Also, I do not see Microsoft making an MMO for the PC because of their want/need/desire to completely dominate Warcraft (and failing nerves) while chafing at the openess of the PC (Live for Windows Games). Sure, anything could happen; rules could change and lighten, but I expect lots of bending from the MMO company. This is why I am not enthusiastic over the Undead Labs MMO; at best, I see a Lobby shooter of sorts with limits. I don't see a full-on MMORPG with customization, stat-building, and appeal to stay online for hours at a time.

dont think we will see any AAA MMO on 360 unless MS change some rules around.
(FFXI was released before any of those rules existed)

The MMO and game console really don't go together, and only dumb developers aren't going to understand. For crying out loud, play a few of the MMOs out there (decisions by CEOs that don't play video games.... dear lord)

I remember watching Cryptic demo a working Champions Online on XBOX on the G4 channel and then a few months later when the game launched on PC...nothing. The same summer at E3(?) Turbine said it was working on a console MMO and still...nothing.

I would love, love, love, love a really good MMORPG on consoles. Even if it was console only. Playing with nothing but a controller and voice chat on console on a big TV.... mmmmm.... gaming bliss.

FFXI doesn't count, my god did I hate the Play Online service.

The article also contains a couple of egregious errors.

True Fantasy Live online.........that wound still stings SOOOOOO MUCH. it looked good, it sounded like itd be good, but M$ couldnt get their head out of their a$$ long enough to see it. i still remember reading the XBN article over and over.

So, that's why CCP went PS3 only for Dust 514. (:

I remember an article I read over at evil avatar a few years back that talked about how Microsoft demanded that Cryptic sign legal papers guaranteeing WoW like subscriber numbers for Marvel Universe online. Cryptic refused and Microsoft bailed. Microsoft is also responsible for the death of the MechWarrior franchise as well as many others.

No gamer in their right mind should ever trust them with a title.

Final fantasy XI seemed to do alright when it was ported to the 360. Then again it was a 4 year old game at this point and square seems rather leery of doing MMO business with them again.

Who remembers Allegiance? Anyone?

I don't agree with their article at all. Microsoft got cold feet with MMOs after the failure of Asheron's Call 2 and Vanguard being years behind schedule. You can't blame them for that after the kind of money they put into those games. That's easily tens of millions lost on MMOs and a terrible return on investment.

With the recent release of Age of Empires online, an Xbox Live version of Dungeon Fighter Online and the upcoming Xbox 360 MMO, Class 4 by Undead Labs, they are once again getting into the MMO publishing business.

The part in the article about Xbox Live blocking MMOs doesn't really make sense. A few MMOs were 'announced' along with their PC counterparts but there was never any evidence they ran on the Xbox 360 nor evidence there was even a development staff working on the Xbox 360 version.

The simply fact is it takes a lot of resources to make an MMO for PCs AND consoles simultaneously. It simply hasn't happened yet this generation for Xbox 360 OR PS3. The only MMOs currently available for the PS3 were developed internally by SOE.

So after six years of this console generation the number of PS3 and Xbox 360 MMOs will be identical or nearly identical. You have to really dislike Microsoft to then write an opinion piece trying to explain why their 'inflexibility' is the culprit. What is the culprit for Sony have the same number of MMOs for their console then, CVG?

If Microsoft get a MMO, it will have to be in-house.