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

[UnSub]

A Blizzard MMOFPS will get axed in the design phase because the core elements of FPS (graphics, twitch) run counter to Blizzard's core business.

If you don't think Blizzard and twitch go together, you haven't watched expert Starcraft players go at it. Twitch isn't just being able to snap a headshot off, it's about being able to react to a rapidly changing situation quicker than the other guy(s).

The real reason I don't think that we'll ever see a Blizzard FPS is that it's a genre they might not succeed in. Graphics are pretty important to FPS's on the whole (as you said) but Blizzard has never been highly praised for what they use - perfectly functional graphics. Which would leave the gameplay. Out of Blizzard's IPs, only StarCraft would be a really suitable FPS property - Diablo and WarCraft wouldn't. Or they'd have to create a new IP, which is actually a risk for Blizzard given how successful WoW was (because if the new FPS flops, it would certainly raise questions about whether or not Blizzard should have just stuck to the IPs that players know).

Now, if Blizzard refined everything gameplay-wise that exists in FPSes to a highly sheened polish, would they actually be able to compete with id or Valve? They probably wouldn't beat them, since they wouldn't be pushing the graphics envelope while they haven't really shown a talent for superior set pieces / action sequences. So a Blizzard FPS would probably be completely serviceable, but they wouldn't be breaking any new ground - something I think that successful FPSes need to do in order to succeed (barring established IPs getting players to buy the box regardless, of course).

[Margalis]

Why are graphics pretty important to FPS's?

The fact that most FPS games are marketed based on graphics tech could well be limiting their appeal to a small subset of the possible audience.

I don't think that graphics are important to FPS games for any fundamental reason, it's just the way things are done now based on historical reasons.

[Typhon]

... is not guaranteed. Your conclusion simply goes bit further than mine and focuses on likely way Blizzard would handle such possibility turning true. (developed game lacking bitch slapping prowess)

I see what you're saying now, ya, I agree

[Velorath]

I will bet a beer that Blizzard never makes a MMOFPS, ever. A MMOFPS is just not mass-markety enough for them. I don't mean that in terms of historical trends. I mean that Blizzard's bread and butter is making games that a large fraction of the world with access to a personal computer can play. A Blizzard MMOFPS will get axed in the design phase because the core elements of FPS (graphics, twitch) run counter to Blizzard's core business.

Yeah, it would probably take a merger with a company that already has a mass market FPS franchise and a CEO that's looking for ways to turn said franchise into an MMO for Blizzard to somehow get involved.

[Venkman]

A MMOFPS is just not mass-markety enough for them. I don't mean that in terms of historical trends.

I think Blizzard could pull off for MMOFPS what they did for RTS (*craft), RPG (Diablo) and MMORPG (WoW) though: make them mass-marketable (relative to the states of those genres at the time). Of course, they'd have to believe this is possible in order to do it. And the challenge is different.

• With RTS, RPG and MMORPG, there were just enough acceptable practices that they had a fairly well-defined foundation from which to iterate and polish.
• Such is not the case with MMOFPS. There's very little competitive landscape there within the sub-genre, because it's not really a genre per se, just a different way of playing FPS games.
  
  

So the question really becomes: could Blizzard make a better FPS game that also is an MMO?

[Aez]

A MMOFPS is just not mass-markety enough for them. I don't mean that in terms of historical trends.

I think Blizzard could pull off for MMOFPS what they did for RTS (*craft), RPG (Diablo) and MMORPG (WoW) though: make them mass-marketable (relative to the states of those genres at the time). Of course, they'd have to believe this is possible in order to do it. And the challenge is different.

• With RTS, RPG and MMORPG, there were just enough acceptable practices that they had a fairly well-defined foundation from which to iterate and polish.
• Such is not the case with MMOFPS. There's very little competitive landscape there within the sub-genre, because it's not really a genre per se, just a different way of playing FPS games.
  
  

So the question really becomes: could Blizzard make a better FPS game that also is an MMO?

They could do a better Hellgate:London with their Starcraft IP.  Just to piss Rob Pardo off.  I guess a Diablo 3:Paris would greatly increase the funny.

[UnSub]

Why are graphics pretty important to FPS's?

Because FPS's are the supercars of the gaming genre. They play fast, they look good and most people will never see one in full flight in the year they are released.

Where would Blizzard start to compete in the FPS genre? Serious Sam kinda sorta has the mass slaughter in lieu of intelligent opponents sewn up, id has the graphics, Valve has the storyline, AI and multiplayer... Blizzard would need to drop in something really exciting into the FPS genre to even make a ripple.

A persistent MMOFPS with large scale battles ... that's probably not enough.

[cmlancas]

Uh, what? Don't you remember the big buzz with BF2 when it came out with semi-persistent features?

I think you're wrong.

[tmp]

Uh, what? Don't you remember the big buzz with BF2 when it came out with semi-persistent features?

The only big buzz i remember was all the screeching from people who suddenly found out it wouldn't work with their gfx card. Which incidentally ties somewhat to that "FPS are flagship for shiny" thing, although maybe not in the intended manner.

[lamaros]

My hunch is that Blizzard has at least one guy who knows what a fun game is.  And they listen to that guy.  They also have at least one guy who knows how to make that game a reality.  They then have at least one more guy who knows how to polish that baby until it shines with the light of a thousand white suns.

So, we can safely surmise that there are at least three people working for Blizzard. All male, of course. Brilliant.

My hunch is they they also have a girl working the phones, because that's the kind of stuff that women are good at.

(Excuse me, I'm tired and bored.)

[Ratman_tf]

My hunch is they they also have a girl working the phones making coffee, because that's the kind of stuff that women are good at.

ololol

[lamaros]

"working the phones" is a more suggestive metaphor than "making coffee" IMHO.

[Ratman_tf]

"working the phones" is a more suggestive metaphor than "making coffee" IMHO.

Ah. Wink wink. Nudge nudge.

[tmp]

"making hot coffee"

There, about as suggestive as the game industry can take. Or for that matter it can't....

[Margalis]

Maybe those three guys are actually one guy?

It's hard for me to say if there is such a thing as institutional know-how. I tend to think that there isn't and that institutional know-how comes from a few key people, but I could be wrong. It's kind of an interesting question, can you develop a culture that works without any individual exceptional personalities to drive it?

[Xanthippe]

Maybe those three guys are actually one guy?

It's hard for me to say if there is such a thing as institutional know-how. I tend to think that there isn't and that institutional know-how comes from a few key people, but I could be wrong. It's kind of an interesting question, can you develop a culture that works without any individual exceptional personalities to drive it?

There exists such a thing as a company culture, at least at the places I've worked.  Certain values are held in high esteem; others discouraged.  I suspect Blizzard's company culture is more responsible than any one particular person.

[lamaros]

Maybe those three guys are actually one guy?

It's hard for me to say if there is such a thing as institutional know-how. I tend to think that there isn't and that institutional know-how comes from a few key people, but I could be wrong. It's kind of an interesting question, can you develop a culture that works without any individual exceptional personalities to drive it?

From my limited experience it relies quite a bit on those managing, not so much from those working in every position. For Blizzard, I expect that it began from a few key people, and as the company built up it built up along those lines, so that now there are so many people in the company who have been working from the original blueprint that it's not isolated at any one point or person anymore. I guess you would call this the company 'culture', but certainly it started from a more select group of people.

[Venkman]

Institutional know-how is a top-down thing in my experience. But that top needs to have confidence in the people doing the work, who come to the organization with a willingness to, like, work. Blizzard is no longer a tiny garage shop, and I'm quite sure given their size they have some slackers there. But they don't let that affect the management, who seems to maintain strong veto power over sloth.

It's a two-way street, and Blizzard seems to manage it well. Other companies just buy other companies to try and reignite passion, or avoid getting rid of the fat.

[cmlancas]

There exists such a thing as a company culture, at least at the places I've worked.  Certain values are held in high esteem; others discouraged.  I suspect Blizzard's company culture is more responsible than any one particular person.

Agree. The company I work for has a jackload of positive company culture. People love to work for us!   

[shiznitz]

If anyone cares, Blizzard/Vivendi execx have had many meetings with shareholders the last several months and their has been no corporate hints of the next MMOG post Activision-Blizzard merger. Management professes confidence that WoW can continue to grow organically.  Starcraft 2 is the only major future product discussed.  Who knows what will be announced once the marriage is consummated, though.

[UnSub]

I wonder how Blactivision will react when Blizzard Prime says "We'd like 4 years and $100 million to develop our next MMO".

[Ragnoros]

I wonder how Blactivision will react when Blizzard Prime says "We'd like 4 years and $100 million to develop our next MMO".

Cash or Check?

Really, we already discussed the sickening amount of money WoW is pulling down. I cannot fathom anyone, at any level of management would say anything but yes to WHATEVER Blizzard asked for.

[Tannhauser]

Never underestimate the stupidity of management.

[UnSub]

I wonder how Blactivision will react when Blizzard Prime says "We'd like 4 years and $100 million to develop our next MMO".

Cash or Check?

Really, we already discussed the sickening amount of money WoW is pulling down. I cannot fathom anyone, at any level of management would say anything but yes to WHATEVER Blizzard asked for.

Blactivision Management: "Umm... err... that's a lot of money and a lot of time for just one game. How we lend you $30 million and you make WarCraft 4 for Xmas 09? Don't get us wrong - we appreciate what WoW has done for us - but we don't think any new MMO you create could compete with it."

[Ratman_tf]

Don't get us wrong - we appreciate what WoW has done for us - but we don't think any new MMO you create could compete with it."

"SOE once thought as you did."