Multiple MMORPGs?
This topic went 'round the blogosphere a few months back, but I'm revisiting it because the situation on the ground has changed.
One of the things about MMOs is that people play multiple games
. . .
people may play WoW and they'll play WAR and maybe even a third game at the same time.
I think Mark Jacobs was just playing the marketing game, it was a defensive 'WotLK won't hurt us' much like his recent 'layoffs won't hurt us'. He was just trying to put out fires.
I didn't buy into it. And if it was true, why should Mythic be proud of it?
MMORPGs encompass a variety of activities and gaming urges for the players. So if your game's population is taking time to play another MMO, then you've probably got some gaping holes in your content. In other words, if it was as compelling as it should be, they shouldn't be wandering so easily.
I understand playing other games, that makes sense. MMOs don't cover the same kind of gameplay as say Guitar Hero or Wii Fit. But to jump back and forth between two Diku-derived MMORPGs? These are time and focus consuming: Players invest in their characters.
So it probably wasn't true back in October, but it's becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. I know I clued in that WAR's PvE content lacked a good foundation. And Mythic's emphasis has shifted fully to RvR (PvP) since release. It's become the 'why would you come here for PvE?' game.
On the forums, on the blogs, on the channels in-game-- It's evident that a good deal of players are playing WoW (or EQ2 or LOTRO) for PvE and WAR for PvP. In the blogosphere alone it's getting hard to find WAR players that are solely for WAR, it seems like they've all re-subbed for WotLK. I could make a long list, but more effective is Tome of Knowledge's "A Tale of Two Hunters" comic:
(Note: Not my comic, it just illustrates this so well. Go visit Tome of Knowledge to fully appreciate it.)
The problem for Mythic is whether Blizzard clues in. I suspect it'd be a lot easier for WoW's PvP to get patched into something more compelling, than for Mythic to rework most of WAR's PvE. I'm of the opinion that PvP content is much easier to create, the players do much of the work for you. That's WAR's driving force altogether, in the masses of players.
And here's the bottom line:
I don't think players want to subscribe to multiple MMORPGs. They do it because they want both experiences to be great: PvE and PvP. If one of the games does both well, they wouldn't need the other.
Jan 21, 2009 12:25pm
Just to provide a counterpoint: I see a lot of bloggers growing very bored with Wrath as the end game content is chewed through, and quite a few returning to WAR and finding it tasty:
http://chaosmoon.gameriot.com/blogs/WAAAGH/The-WAR-Came-Back-The-Very-Ne...
Also, feel free to check out my blogroll. I think we have more than a couple blogs devoted fully to WAR and nothing but.
Above being a WAR apologist, I will say that there are some gamers who are very monogamous with their MMOs, and some who flit back and forth depending on mood, whim and interest. Both are valid, as are people who do sub (like I do) to multiple MMOs. We're gamers first and foremost, above any allegiance to a title.
Jan 21, 2009 12:38pm
@Syp: Nice to see the counterpoint actually.
To be fair my rant could be taken both ways: WoW is also missing an important element, namely quality PvP. They've had it pretty easy the past 4 years with no serious competition filling that gap.
Maybe Blizzard won't bother cluing in. It's not so much of a risk for them, they're sitting pretty comfy and cozy as is. Maybe both companies can do well with the overlap in players, tho my argument is Mythic is on the riskier end of the seesaw so it seems an odd (and limiting) thing for them to aim for.
Jan 22, 2009 10:32am
I would love to sub to multiple games. I could entirely afford to as well, but just don't see the value in playing and paying for any of those games on a part time basis. I would love to muck around in WoW, Lotro, AND WAR in my free time and pay those companies for access if the price permitted it. The price doesn't though, unfortunately. I am not as interested in the "uber end game experience" as I used to be though, and would prefer to enjoy the games at my own pace. Each of those companies would easily get $5 a month from me for 1-5 hours a week.
Jan 26, 2009 1:53pm
I'd probably be willing to subscribe to multiple *awesome* MMOs, as well, but I don't think the limitation for me is money; it's time.
Just playing one MMO is a massive time investment. Basically every hour I'm playing is an hour I could be doing something productive instead. So playing two MMOs is a pretty major undertaking on my part, something I don't want to do. I'd much rather play one MMO and then have a couple of console games to pass the time if I need a quick distraction; that works much better with my lifestyle.
I do agree that if one particular MMO did everything well, both PvE and PvP, I don't think I'd need to sub to anything else. Still waiting for that game, though, and I think I'll be waiting a loooong time. :)
-nick / reroller