Blizzards next MMO is........

[Falwell]

The gaming world would collectively shit itself in anticipation and the hype machine would go into Robot Jesus mode.

Sadly, I'm sure it would - but why? Don't get me wrong, I think Blizzard makes great games and I enjoy them a lot. But there are scads of other games out there that I enjoy just as much, and many I enjoy a lot more.

I just don't get the whole Blizzard-mania thing.

I think it's due in large to the fact that few, if any, other developers have the ridiculously top notch track record that Blizzard has in the PC world. Probably one of the most dependable developers out there. By dependable I mean releasing games that are enjoyable, polished, and actually ready for a retail box.

Sad, I know, that those last two have to be "premiums" in the PC gaming market but no less true unfortunately.

[Venkman]

It's a "When" not "If" question.

Why do you think Diablo MMO is a foregone conclusion? I'd only assume this if they come out with a Diablo III RPG first. But afaik they haven't announced it, or is it even rumoured substantially (except for that diablo3 rumor site). Compare this to SC MMO where even if they didn't announce SC2 RTS, they'd still have a big name awareness and guaranteed audience. And with them knowing that, they're still doing SC2 anyway, to grow it even more.

Nothing such so far for Diablo, and it's been 7 1/2 years since Diablo 2 launched, and 6 1/2 since the expansion.

[tmp]

I think it's due in large to the fact that few, if any, other developers have the ridiculously top notch track record that Blizzard has in the PC world. Probably one of the most dependable developers out there. By dependable I mean releasing games that are enjoyable, polished, and actually ready for a retail box.

Tbh it's not *that* hard to make things polished when one keeps re-releasing what's essentially 3 games (Diablo series, War/Starcraft series, now WoW) ... also, given they do release patches for all their games it's not exactly their stuff is really that much better developed than things you get from other developers outside of MMO space. More to do with fact their last game before WoW was launched over 5 years ago when all developers were much more careful about what they put in the retail box, and that helps to keep good impression.

[Falwell]

It's a "When" not "If" question.

Why do you think Diablo MMO is a foregone conclusion? I'd only assume this if they come out with a Diablo III RPG first. But afaik they haven't announced it, or is it even rumoured substantially (except for that diablo3 rumor site). Compare this to SC MMO where even if they didn't announce SC2 RTS, they'd still have a big name awareness and guaranteed audience. And with them knowing that, they're still doing SC2 anyway, to grow it even more.

Nothing such so far for Diablo, and it's been 7 1/2 years since Diablo 2 launched, and 6 1/2 since the expansion.

Diablo III and or a Diablo MMO wouldn't have a big name awareness nor a guaranteed audience? Come on Darniaq, you can't be trying to sell that bridge.

It's been TEN years since the release of SC. That certainly didn't stop them from revisiting the series and it sure as hell didn't cool the demand for it. There is absolutely no reason to think that they wouldn't do the same for their remaining big hitter franchise.

[Venkman]

SC has been played consistently in Korea for almost all of that time. It was the most popular online competitive game there for a long while. In a country with the type of experiences they have, that counts for quite a lot. That continuous competitive and highly public play of such an old game is why SC2 isn't the radical reinvention some expected it to be. And that SC2 is coming at all is what most people consider the harbringer of an SC MMO.

Where's Diablo been that whole time?

There's no doubt that people would play it. But they can (and are) making a bigger bet right now for an easier win. This isn't to say after SC MMO they don't start rehyping the Diablo IP with III. But I don't consider it that an absolute conclusion. A lot can happen in the eight or so years it'd take from now

[tmp]

Where's Diablo been that whole time?

There's no doubt that people would play it. But they can (and are) making a bigger bet right now for an easier win. This isn't to say after SC MMO they don't start rehyping the Diablo IP with III. But I don't consider it that an absolute conclusion. A lot can happen in the eight or so years it'd take from now

Also, isn't there Dungeon Runners that's basically Diablo wrapped in WoW skin/graphics with RMT side thrown in, and which despite these supposed money hat qualities didn't really do so hot..?

[Ragnoros]

Also, isn't there Dungeon Runners that's basically Diablo wrapped in WoW skin/graphics with RMT side thrown in, and which despite these supposed money hat qualities didn't really do so hot..?

Maybe because it sucked hard?

[tmp]

Maybe because it sucked hard?

Well didn't play it so wouldn't know. Checked couple reviews and they mention drawback that's lack of depth (all you do is run dungeons and click-click-click on monsters that drop various loot) but then you could say the very same thing about Diablo too so it may say something about viability of game concept no matter what brand is attached to it. What exactly about that game sucked so hard that Blizzard version would surely avoid and make it all "right" instead..?

[schild]

The Dungeon Runners people have no concept of the heart or soul that goes into Diablo.

That's why it sucks.

Honestly, copying Diablo is not a hard feat. It just requires a certain amount of polish and hundreds upon hundreds of hours playing Diablo. This industry is fucked up as it is though, so copying Diablo - I imagine - could be the hardest task ever for them.

[Dash]

Hell the official announcement could be as simple as a five second title screen at the end of the SCII credits saying "To be continued in Starcraft Online." The gaming world would collectively shit itself in anticipation and the hype machine would go into Robot Jesus mode.

I have to admit I would likely embarrass myself with rampant fanboyism.  Fuck Diablo Online imo.  Gimme Starcraft.

[schild]

Am I the only one that doesn't want Starcraft Online because it would only be Warcraft with a space skin?

Nothing screams boring to me more than that does.

[DeathInABottle]

Am I the only one that doesn't want Starcraft Online because it would only be Warcraft with a space skin?

Nothing screams boring to me more than that does.

Well I'm on your side, but I'm a rabid Diablo fanboi.

[cmlancas]

Am I the only one that doesn't want Starcraft Online because it would only be Warcraft with a space skin?

Nothing screams boring to me more than that does.

I want to be a zerg spitting face-melting acid. Sorry.

[Venkman]

Yea, bah on Dungeon Runners. Close on paper, nowhere near in feel.

Starcraft MMO though, not sure it'll be WoW in space with Wookiees Protoss. Seems with the three big titles they've launched, they've "capped" a genre that needed to be capped at the time (RTS, RPG, MMO). Would they re-cap MMOs during WoW's waning days? Or would they try something new?

I could see them going a bit more of the HG:A semi-twitch route (though, like, doing it right), or even go the FPS route altogether. Now, I love COD4 and Crysis, but even I get all fanboi over the prospect of Blizzard taking on this genre.

[tmp]

Am I the only one that doesn't want Starcraft Online because it would only be Warcraft with a space skin?

Nope. But then i got bored pretty quick of any Blizzard game (save maybe Lost Vikings in Amiga days) so the whole "Starcraft MMO" is like 'meh, whatever' to me. Double so if it does indeed wind up as nothing but WoW with the space skin.

[Ratman_tf]

I would indeeed play WoW with Starcraft skins.

I would giggle like a schoolgirl if it was more like RTS/RPG hybrid gameplay.

[Dtrain]

Am I the only one that doesn't want Starcraft Online because it would only be Warcraft with a space skin?

Nothing screams boring to me more than that does.

What if it's like an FPS, but only with a collision system?

I keed, I keed - but really, they could take that IP in so many different directions, that speculating right now if it would be fun or not is pointless. Let's wait and see if it even IS Starcraft MMO first. Though I do think that will make sense.

As well as an eventual Diablo MMO, especially as WoW gets long in the tooth. From the many failings of UO, to AC2, to EQ2, it would seem that a successful sequel to an MMO is an untenable proposition. (Whether or not this is even true and why, I'm not even going to attempt to explain.) Blizzard could make a neat little end run around this question by hitching their cart to Diablo. Not that I think the Diablo world itself has very many "sticky" elements of fantasy prominent in most MMOs - chrissakes, I don't think they even have elves!

[UnSub]

The Dungeon Runners people have no concept of the heart or soul that goes into Diablo.

There's something wrong with you saying that Diablo has a heart and soul when it is the clickiest, grindiest monty haul of a game design ever (but you know, phat loot). Dungeon Runners works (as far as it does) in that it's free to play and it's got a sense of humour to cover its gaping lack of depth.

Besides, you've already judged Hellgate: London, which is basically Diablo Online, and found it wanting.

Besides, what ground does Diablo Online break that isn't available in WoW already?

Although I'm 90% sure that Blizzard is going to pop out Starcraft Online, it'd be nice if they actually developed and released a new property for their MMO.

[Dash]

Am I the only one that doesn't want Starcraft Online because it would only be Warcraft with a space skin?

Nothing screams boring to me more than that does.

Are you not getting that you could play a Protoss???   ONLINE! 

But yeah I'd hope they took a chance and made it a little bit different than just WoW reskinned. 

[Signe]

You must be the Dash from politics that everyone is raving about! 

[Mrbloodworth]

The Dungeon Runners people have no concept of the heart or soul that goes into Diablo.

That's why it sucks.

I disagree. IMO, they improved the model, by not taking themselves or the games setting to seriously. Good fun that game. But i also wouldn't call it a straight copy. Influenced, yes, copy, no. Thank god.

[Ratman_tf]

I disagree. IMO, they improved the model, by not taking themselves or the games setting to seriously. Good fun that game. But i also wouldn't call it a straight copy. Influenced, yes, copy, no. Thank god.

I never got the bug to try this. Partly because i had other games to play at the time, and partly because I was watching Sly play it. The humor (overhearing their dialogue and shit) got hella old real quick. IMO it was too far into the "silly" side.

[Dtrain]

Ok, how about this:

Licensed IP. Let's say... Harry Potter. (Not saying it is, just using it as an example of the type of IP that the mega-success of WoW might attract.)

Further: the title will have a strong chance of jumping the shark, as many licensed games do.

[Slyfeind]

Ok, how about this:

Licensed IP. Let's say... Harry Potter. (Not saying it is, just using it as an example of the type of IP that the mega-success of WoW might attract.)

Further: the title will have a strong chance of jumping the shark, as many licensed games do.

Now THAT'S interesting. When you think about who to trust making an MMO out of your franchise, who would you go to? The educated gamer would go with the company that exhibits features that would fit your game. But the non-gamer might go for the company with the best track record. Going with that Harry Potter idea, one can imagine Jo Rowling to say "I don't know too much about online games. World of Warcraft is big, isn't it? Who makes that?" (Well reportedly, she knows a bit about online games, but it's just an example.)

Or we can imagine LucasArts thinking about a new Star Wars Online. Who would they choose to develop it, given their disappointment with the current iteration?

Something to consider, anyway....

[LK]

I don't think Blizzard would agree to use anyone else's licensed properties but their own.  They have made it a point to create and own every item that is used with their games, including the I.P.  That way they are the sole benefactor of said items.

[Dtrain]

I'm not so sure they wouldn't touch a licensed MMO. By virtue of the game's overwhelming success (and the fact that they are already talking about another MMO,) Blizzard is going to be a very different company from what it has been previously.

[Aez]

Stardraft or Diablo are probably the best IP you could dream of for a mmorpg.  I don't see the point of going with anything else.  And before someone says moneyhat, Blizzard is so rich that there's no point in taking a big check from a big IP, even less paying for it.  Beside, at that point, WoW must be more profitable than Harry Potter.  It's like they are releasing one major movie every month - with out the 100 milion production cost.

[Venkman]

When you think about who to trust making an MMO out of your franchise, who would you go to?

Not a company that's never played with someone else's IP, that's for sure You can trust Blizzard to ship a market success that has broad appeal because of their track record of doing so with IP of their own. Like Lorekeep said though, they simply might not be as interested in a license (and all of the sycophants external controls it can bring).

I'd personally love a Diablo MMO, because I think it's an interesting lore. But my money's (well, no literally) still on Starcraft as the easy and obvious answer (otherwise we'd be talking about Diablo III RPG instead of SC2).

Besides, while there's still two or three more HP movies coming, they're just retelling a story that already ended. And given when they're coming, it's not like LoTR where it's a brand new audience either. A HP MMO would do well, but you wouldn't spend $100mil to make it for the 18-34 guy.

Edit: added the last paragraph... and learning about that big ol' preview button

[WindupAtheist]

Next: StarCraft 2
After: StarCraft Galaxies
Later: Diablo 3
Last: World of Diablo

WoW will be quite long in the tooth by the time WoD comes along, so cannibalizing it won't be as much of a concern.

[Mrbloodworth]

I disagree. IMO, they improved the model, by not taking themselves or the games setting to seriously. Good fun that game. But i also wouldn't call it a straight copy. Influenced, yes, copy, no. Thank god.

I never got the bug to try this. Partly because i had other games to play at the time, and partly because I was watching Sly play it. The humor (overhearing their dialogue and shit) got hella old real quick. IMO it was too far into the "silly" side.

Quicker than one of the few voice overs of from Diablo "Sit a while and listen".





Didn't think so.

[WindupAtheist]

Diablo 2 owned everything in the world, and if you don't think so then you have no soul.  That is all.

*ping*

[Mrbloodworth]

*pong*

[Ratman_tf]

I disagree. IMO, they improved the model, by not taking themselves or the games setting to seriously. Good fun that game. But i also wouldn't call it a straight copy. Influenced, yes, copy, no. Thank god.

I never got the bug to try this. Partly because i had other games to play at the time, and partly because I was watching Sly play it. The humor (overhearing their dialogue and shit) got hella old real quick. IMO it was too far into the "silly" side.

Quicker than one of the few voice overs of from Diablo "Sit a while and listen".





Didn't think so.

Cain got old and then got funny, like a fart joke.

Dungaree Runners was funny once, then annoying. Like a retarted kid repeating the same joke the same way over and over.

[tmp]

I don't think Blizzard would agree to use anyone else's licensed properties but their own.  They have made it a point to create and own every item that is used with their games, including the I.P.  That way they are the sole benefactor of said items.

Come join fellow students of Hogwash School of Sorcery in Blizzard's next groundbreaking MMO based on brand new, own IP.

[Righ]

I don't think Blizzard would agree to use anyone else's licensed properties but their own.  They have made it a point to create and own every item that is used with their games, including the I.P.  That way they are the sole benefactor of said items.

Come join fellow students of Hogwash School of Sorcery in Blizzard's next groundbreaking MMO based on brand new, own IP.

Sig'd.