Blizzards New MMO

[Sjofn]

The Tuskaar, I believe, existed in WC3. The non-organic dwarves existed in fuckin' Vanilla. Have you not done Uldaman? The earthen is actually Blizzard revisiting that lo these many years later (open Uldum already Blizzard  ). The giant vikings, I don't really see what's so weird about them, aside from why they're all WOO LICH KING (I assume they think he's one of their gods). The robot gnomes are pretty wtf though. 

Really, TBC was waaaaay more "what lore?" to me.

EDIT: Also, I really doubt they'll do an MMO based on an IP that isn't completely theirs. I'm sure they'd do a bang up job with them, but I think they would want the freedom for their lore people to pull completely random crap out of their ass (hi draenei!) if they so desire.

1. I mentally blanked the Tuskarr, mea culpa.  Still a stupid race.
2. The non-organic dwarves should have stayed in their damn ruins where they belong.  They're supposed to be mostly extinct, remember?
3. Vikings make sense.  Giant vikings is excessive, like the Death Knight Dragonball-Z cinematic at Light's Hope Chapel.
4. TBC was just 
5. I so wanted to play as a mutated scythe-blade wielding abomination.  Blue space goats are okay, but the backstory is just terrible.

Giants and the Norse go pretty well hand in hand, so giant vikings does not even come close to setting off any "what the hell is this bullshit?" bells for me. Not like, oh, the completely unlikeable dickhead of a king Stormwind is stuck with now. That's totally a personal taste thing though. :)

Oh, I will say I don't think the earthen being all over the place in Northrend is all that freaky. Sure, they were thought to be rare (especially after we kinda sorta killed a LOT of them while we explored Uldaman *cough*) but I don't think it's sore-thumb-sticking-out-lore-bending for us to go to a barely explored continent and discovering that there's a LOT of them in the area where the Titan shit isn't ruined like Uldaman is. It is possible they don't bother me because I have robot gnomes looming there, staring at me with their creepy robot gnome eyes.

[Ghambit]

It won't be diablo or starcraft lets just ignore what blizzard did or did not say and just think about it for a moment. They are going to be milking SC2 and D3 with expansions for YEARS to come. It just doesn't make sense for them to introduce an mmo with that ip when those games work well on their own.
I would expect blizzard to make an annoucement about their new mmo, at least the basic name/title around this time next year when they are announcing the new wow expansion.

It wont be Diablo, but it very likely WILL be Starcraft.  A gimpy little one-shot wonder RTS like Starcraft isnt going to stop them from producing a world-class Starcraft MMO.  Matter of fact, it'll HELP sales of the MMO.  RTS sales peak quickly after release and then bomb out to a trickle (along with the hype), therefore there is no market for the MMO to leech from aside from WoW; they're 2 different genres for christs sake.  Let alone the simple fact that SC2 will probably be released a full YEAR before the MMO would.

A smart business man will leverage the hooplah gained from SC2 straight into an MMO (just like they did with Warcraft/WoW).  So again, that's where the smart money was, is, and will be:  "World of Starcraft"
I'd go as far as saying Blizz will "blend" the RTS and MMO somehow, perhaps into the RTS's ladder system or some such thing, gaining gear or special priveledges whence the MMO releases... turning people into rabid dogs for SC2 so they can get a leg up for WoS .  At least, that's what I would do.

It's a shame they dont want to do a Diablo MMO though, because I still believe a next-gen top-down view game is the way to go for the future of MMOs.  Perhaps the Starcraft MMO would be top-down as well though.  Phuck the 1st person!

[Trippy]

RTS sales peak quickly after release and then bomb out to a trickle (along with the hype), therefore there is no market for the MMO to leech from aside from WoW; they're 2 different genres for christs sake.

That may be true of RTSes in general (actually that's true of most games) but that's not true of StarCraft which is *still* in the Top 20 of PC games sold.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57222

[Lakov_Sanite]

This thread is proof why blizzards next mmo will also be hugely successful, confidence.

Almost every prediction by people in this thread comes with their desires for what they want in an mmo. This isn't so surprising but what is, is that everyone wants blizzard to focus on their interests because they believe the company will do it right.

Can you imagine that? Before the name of the game or any info has even been released people believe it will be good. That sort of hype and word of mouth is just crazy and yet, they have it.

Blizzards third mmo may crash and burn, their second may not even be all that great(which no one believes) but regardless it will make lot of money.

[Ghambit]

RTS sales peak quickly after release and then bomb out to a trickle (along with the hype), therefore there is no market for the MMO to leech from aside from WoW; they're 2 different genres for christs sake.

That may be true of RTSes in general (actually that's true of most games) but that's not true of StarCraft which is *still* in the Top 20 of PC games sold.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57222

Because of the Asian markets.
And that being the case, there's nothing that says the RTS in Asia would suffer at all even if simultaneously released with the MMO.  One could say that market actually prefers such a plan.

[Trippy]

RTS sales peak quickly after release and then bomb out to a trickle (along with the hype), therefore there is no market for the MMO to leech from aside from WoW; they're 2 different genres for christs sake.

That may be true of RTSes in general (actually that's true of most games) but that's not true of StarCraft which is *still* in the Top 20 of PC games sold.

http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/57222

Because of the Asian markets.
And that being the case, there's nothing that says the RTS in Asia would suffer at all even if simultaneously released with the MMO.  One could say that market actually prefers such a plan.

That's US sales.

[schild]

Ghambit, you're just going to have to accept that Blizzard is NOT like other gaming companies.

They produce masterpieces and hits that have the longest tails in the industry. Period. No exceptions.

[Lantyssa]

There's also the fact that SC2 is going to be released in three installments a year apart.  They won't release Galaxy of Starcraft for at least a year after that, which means a minimum of four years from now.  Now they may very well do that, however that makes me think it isn't the game they are refering to working on now.

[Nija]

There's also the fact that SC2 is going to be released in three installments a year apart.  They won't release Galaxy of Starcraft for at least a year after that, which means a minimum of four years from now.  Now they may very well do that, however that makes me think it isn't the game they are refering to working on now.

That's fine. I plan to have a longer and stronger relationship with Diablo3 than I have had with some past girlfriends. 4+ years away for another mass multi timesink (MMTS) is perfectly fine.

[Delmania]

I believe Diablo was a far more successful franchise than Starcraft was if you remove the fact that Starcraft was the nation pastime of Korean.  I also wouldn't call Starcraft a gimpy little one shot RTS given its development history.  After the initial "Warcraft in space" response, they spent a shitload of time improving the engine to make it the game you know it is.
However, I really don't buy the whole "World of Starcraft" claim.  If anything, its popularity is why they delayed so long in expanding the franchise.  It's solid enough of game that it can support itself without having to build a sequel to boost the franchise.  The same goes for Diablo II.  Warcraft was fading from the picture due to the popularity of those other two, so by building an MMO, they can guarantee revenue from that IP and then work on the IPs that werre already successful.

[Ingmar]

I still don't get why people are even talking about Starcrat given that they've said 123423424 times that they are working on another IP.

[schild]

I still don't get why people are even talking about Starcrat given that they've said 123423424 times that they are working on another IP.

Because not only are they good at secrets, they're good at lying.

I'd really, really like to see an original IP. Has anyone looked through the Activision/Vivendi back catalogue though? They have access to a shitload of great stuff now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that was part of the merger deal - using an Activision/VU IP for the next MMOG.

[Trippy]

There's also the fact that SC2 is going to be released in three installments a year apart.  They won't release Galaxy of Starcraft for at least a year after that, which means a minimum of four years from now.  Now they may very well do that, however that makes me think it isn't the game they are refering to working on now.

SC2 has been in development since 2003 (though not full production until 2004). WoW took around 5 years to develop. I would shocked if Blizzard managed to release their 2nd MMO with less than 5 years of development.

[Ghambit]

I still don't get why people are even talking about Starcrat given that they've said 123423424 times that they are working on another IP.

Show me the article that says that please.  The articles I have all say no WoW 2 and no Diablo MMO (per interviews with Blizz people).  They say nothing of no Starcraft (unless you take a bloggers word as gospel).  They do say they plan on doing something revolutionary though.

[Delmania]

Because not only are they good at secrets, they're good at lying.

Is there where we talk about the Wrath announcement?

[Merusk]

It is possible they don't bother me because I have robot gnomes looming there, staring at me with their creepy robot gnome eyes.

Robot gnomes were explained in Storm Peaks, I believe. I didn't pay much attention to those quests.

I'd really, really like to see an original IP. Has anyone looked through the Activision/Vivendi back catalogue though? They have access to a shitload of great stuff now. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that was part of the merger deal - using an Activision/VU IP for the next MMOG.

Ooh, I like this theory.  Pitfall or Zork: the MMO.  OOOh, or... MechWarrior! 

[Trippy]

Ooh, I like this theory.  Pitfall or Zork: the MMO.  OOOh, or... MechWarrior! 

Activision lost the rights to computer versions of BattleTech a while ago to Microsoft (who are currently licensing those rights to Smith & Tinker).

[Lantyssa]

SC2 has been in development since 2003 (though not full production until 2004). WoW took around 5 years to develop. I would shocked if Blizzard managed to release their 2nd MMO with less than 5 years of development.

I don't discount that, however I think that if they are working on it (since they could easily be in pre-production for several), they haven't ramped things up to the point of this mystery MMO.  Unless they're lying.  I'd be quite happy with that, but it's so far down the line I don't think they would be mentioning it as "the MMO we're working on that isn't a prior IP".

[gryeyes]

Ooh, I like this theory.  Pitfall or Zork: the MMO.  OOOh, or... MechWarrior! 

Activision lost the rights to computer versions of BattleTech a while ago to Microsoft (who are currently licensing those rights to Smith & Tinker).

What i would do for a Shadowrun MMO. The setting is so easily adapted to a MMO format. Christ, give me an updated version of the genesis shadowrun game with co-op and it would be fine.

Ya and in most PC sales charts i view Blizzard accounts for like 5-6 of the top 20. Warcraft battlchest still shows up every once in awhile and that games ancient.

[Oban]

Battletech MMO, please.

[UnSub]

What i would do for a Shadowrun MMO.

Always with the elves...  

[gryeyes]

Elves in the context of shadowrun is completely acceptable. As is magic and dragons.

[Ghambit]

Judging from the job opportunities page for Blizzard it definitely seems like they're ramping up for this new game:
http://www.blizzard.com/us/jobopp/

We can glean a bit from what they're looking for specifically in new hires.
The game's gonna be written in C+ with probably a custom game engine.
It'll be dual-core capable (SIMD/multithreading).
It'll have positional audio (ala an FPS).

So, that's basically every new game out there... (sigh)  no good clues

[UnSub]

Elves in the context of shadowrun is completely acceptable. As is magic and dragons.

I know. It's the high fantasy game that pretends to be streetwise. Still high fantasy.

[Trippy]

There's no way Microsoft is going to let Vivendi print money hats using their FASA electronic game rights.

[gryeyes]

Elves in the context of shadowrun is completely acceptable. As is magic and dragons.

I know. It's the high fantasy game that pretends to be streetwise. Still high fantasy.

While it is high fantasy the cyberpunk influence is strong enough to make it still a very unique setting. It doesn't play or feel like fantasy at least.

There's no way Microsoft is going to let Vivendi print money hats using their FASA electronic game rights.

When FASA got the axe after Shadowrun the FPS was released (what a fucking travesty that way) they reverted the license back to weissman and crew. They created a company called Smith and Tinker that has the rights for battletech,shadowrun and the other FASA IP's.

[Delmania]

It'll be dual-core capable (SIMD/multithreading).

And console support. 

[UnSub]

I still don't get why people are even talking about Starcrat given that they've said 123423424 times that they are working on another IP.

Show me the article that says that please.  

Having looked around, I can see lots of stuff about "cool, new, next gen" and quotes[/quote] like this:

Morhaime: ... So let’s just say it’s going to be different and it’s not going to be a sequel to World of Warcraft. It will be different.

We’re not trying to replace World of Warcraft with this new MMO. We’re trying to create a different massively multiplayer experience, and hopefully World of Warcraft will still be going strong when that one is released.

Not much on the new IP - that appears to be more driven by journalist commentary (unless someone can prove me wrong with a direct quote).

However, if it launches before 2012, that'll be a big surprise.

[Hindenburg]

It'll be dual-core capable (SIMD/multithreading).

And console support. 

I'd love that. That'd force the fuckers to keep memory usage at a reasonable level.

[BoneDancr]

There game will be Starcraft Online.  They will be using engine components from their decommissioned Ghost.

[Ratman_tf]

There game will be Starcraft Online. 

Perhaps.

They will be using engine components from their decommissioned Ghost.

wut 

[Trippy]

When FASA got the axe after Shadowrun the FPS was released (what a fucking travesty that way) they reverted the license back to weissman and crew. They created a company called Smith and Tinker that has the rights for battletech,shadowrun and the other FASA IP's.

MS still owns the rights. They've licensed a, uh, license to Smith & Tinker (as I mentioned above) but that doesn't preclude MS doing other things with their rights.

[Delmania]

I'd love that. That'd force the fuckers to keep memory usage at a reasonable level.

Given that consoles have improved, it wouldn't be bad, although, depending on time period when such an MMO is released, that console may become the thing preventing them from making much needed updates, like FFXI.

They will be using engine components from their decommissioned Ghost.

Doubtful, if they decide to do StarCraft online, which I doubt they will, they would simply repeat what they did with WoW - use the same for the MMO that they do for the RTS.

[gryeyes]

When FASA got the axe after Shadowrun the FPS was released (what a fucking travesty that way) they reverted the license back to weissman and crew. They created a company called Smith and Tinker that has the rights for battletech,shadowrun and the other FASA IP's.

MS still owns the rights. They've licensed a, uh, license to Smith & Tinker (as I mentioned above) but that doesn't preclude MS doing other things with their rights.

Im sorry i didn't notice you mention Smith & Tinker. I was under the impression all of the old FASA gaming rights were granted to Smith & Tinker. And MS cant really do much else because they only owned the rights to make games. The IP's other formats i BELIEVE are owned by completely different people.

[Trippy]

MS owns the rights to the "electronic gaming" versions of the FASA games. The PnP/tabletop rights for BattleTech and Shadowrun are now owned by WizKids.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FASA#Current_status_and_intellectual_property