Gameplay isn’t the only thing an MMO needs for success – it has to have performance as well. The most amazing gameplay in the world won’t save a game if no one can actually run it. If you’ve ever played an alpha or very early beta – an actual beta as opposed to the marketing betas so common nowadays – you’ll know that game designers are rarely known for their ability to optimize. That’s where Simplygon steps in.
I hadn’t actually heard of them before a few minutes ago when I read the Gamasutra press release, but looking at Simplygon’s clients I see most of my favorite games so I’m clearly familiar with their work. Simplygon’s clients include NCSoft, Nexon, Blizzard, Bioware, Disney, CCP, Gameloft, Funcom … that’s quite a powerlist.