21 April 2010 | |
iTZKooPA
It really surprised me when Sony Online Entertainment, one of the biggest MMOG publisher in the industry, became the first company to think outside the box. Global Agenda’s Conquest option aside, it has been a given that if you’re playing an MMOG, you’re paying $10-$15 a month for the subscription. It doesn’t matter if the title is AAA, indie, niche, ten-years old or completely failing. You’re paying a basic, all-or-nothing rate. “No longer!” says SOE.
SOE announced yesterday that returning players (or accounts for the multiboxers) of EverQuest II would be able to select a new subscription rate, thanks to the “EQII Passport.” The time-limited rate only runs $5 a month, and allows for three consecutive days of play. When my eyes first glanced at the announcement my brain did a backflip at the possibilities. People could save money on secondary accounts, get their friends to play with them for a weekend here and there, or just taste test patches and fixes. It seemed brilliantly simple, and ridiculously tempting.
Then I read the fine print; Lil’ XT’s cry instantly popped into my head. Hit the jump to see where SOE should have went with the genius plan. Continue Reading
30 October 2007 | |
LHStaff
Some very interesting news cropped up today telling us all that LucasArts and BioWare have teamed up, yet again, on an unannounced project. It was a very interesting read and one that hinted at a lot of possibilities for the duo. Naturally, I won’t bother restating what has already been said in the press release (you can read that here). What we will discuss here is what exactly this could mean.
BioWare has been developing an MMORPG for a while now, it’s no secret. What is a secret is what exactly their MMORPG is based on. Naturally the gamers of the world have united in an attempt to convince them to make one based off their hit-RPG, Knights of the Old Republic. This notion was, obviously, fueled earlier today by this press release. Now I hate to burst bubbles, I really do, but we have to look at this scenario logically. As much as I’d love an MMORPG based off of KotOR, I just do not see it happening, and here’s why:
- LucasArts and Sony Online Entertainment still have a contract that allows for Sony to develop the Star Wars MMO property. I don’t see Sony quietly backing out of this and allowing more competition into their very small arena. A BioWare Star Wars MMO would kill their property.
- [Quoted from the LucasArts/BioWare press release today]“BioWare’s mission is to deliver the best story and character-driven games in the world, delivering powerful emotional experiences to our fans.” No MMORPG, ever, has character-driven games. It is, with our current technology, impossible. MMORPGs are world-driven, not character driven.
- The press release is announcing a new partnership, not one that has been working on an unannounced title since 2006 (when they announced they were beginning development on an MMORPG).
- Why would they announce the partnership but not the game? If this really was about them making a Star Wars MMORPG then they would have announced it along with this deal. Everybody is already assuming that this means the Star Wars MMO is coming. BioWare knows this, and LucasArts knows this which is why they kept their game a secret because with everybody assuming its an MMORPG they don’t have to worry about their new IP being leaked to the public.
I understand that this is all circumstantial evidence, but these things need to be brought up. This deal in no way signifies that their will be a BioWare Star Wars MMORPG. I very much hope I am wrong, but as of right now I believe they may be working on a completely separate game altogether. LucasArts has many, many other IPs including Indiana Jones. There is a good chance BioWare is asking to be a part of one of those franchises.
