MMORPG=Last of the good websites

UnleadedRev

With yet another MMO website closing down (Massively), and the remainder all looking the same with the same horrible or boring formats and content...seems only MMORPG still has a great website layout and content.

The remaining ones are all cookie cutter and low on content.

What's the deal, is this a harbinger for PC games or just a bad economy?

Vesavius

Not PC games, no, just the perceived decline of MMORPGs as a mainstream market I think. 

This is probably why we are seeing this site expand it's coverage to other genres so heavily. Even MMORPG.com, a site named after the thing, is forming an exit strategy.

The forum activity here seems a hell of a lot lower than even a couple of years ago, with mostly the same old faces recycling opinions. I understand why they are trying to broaden the site's appeal.

 

I don't say any  of this as a doom and gloom post btw... I have been waiting for the death of the AAA MMORPG for a long time. It's a good thing IMO. Time to get back to passion driven grass roots development.

nariusseldon

Originally posted by Vesavius

Not PC games, no, just the perceived decline of MMORPGs as a mainstream market I think. 

This is probably why we are seeing this site expand it's coverage to other genres so heavily. Even MMORPG.com, a site named after the thing, is forming an exit strategy.

The forum activity here seems a hell of a lot lower than even a couple of years ago, with mostly the same old faces recycling opinions. I understand why they are trying to broaden the site's appeal.

 

I don't say any  of this as a doom and gloom post btw... I have been waiting for the death of the AAA MMORPG for a long time. It's a good thing IMO. Time to get back to passion driven grass roots development.

PC games are, in fact, more popular than ever, particular with steam and the indie scene.

Personally I think the classical MMORPGs have run its course .. they are too big, and unwieldy, and not convenient and fun enough for me, and I welcome the changes to more instanced, more game-like, more variety in MMOs.

 

Pepeq

If you read the reason why AOL was restructuring, you would realize that they are moving into the more lucrative business of robot advertising.  Many of the websites that are being shut down have zero to do with the content of the website themselves but rather the staff used to run them.  

More than just gaming sites were affected by this restructuring... 

Nicco77

Originally posted by Varex12
Define "good."  This site is run by a bunch of amateurs.  The only reason one could possibly have for coming here is the same reason I do:  To get scoops on upcoming games or news on current games from posters on this board about a week before this shitty site actually breaks the news themselves.  That and the occasional developer interviews are the only reason one would have to even come to this cesspool.  

This.

Most of the articles here are flame bait for the hunger of clicks or fanboys advertising about games,I really don't see so many useful posts or news.

I still check the site sometimes and I found that in this last year has become a waste of time,old news and advertising of ugly games without real informations.

Sadly this is the standard,Massively(and of course Joystiq) was interesting and well written,there's no real alternative now.

grimal

I've seen a lot of people moving to Reddit MMO-related subreddits.  So, if MMORPG wants to keep people it needs to show that it can still compete.

Ludwik

Marvel Heroes just won MMO of the year with 51% of the vote.

Just sayin.....

ArtificeVenatus

 

Loke666

Originally posted by Enbysra

First, the "classical MMORPG" is no where near the end of it's days. In fact, the future of MMORPGs will be far greater than at any point of it's past. Make no mistake about it, this period is just a lull. I have access to information that allows me to make such a statement knowingly. 

And to my knowledge "- x = less" not "- x = more". So actually, your "more variety" as it turns out, is "less variety."

I think that really depends on what you mean with "classical MMO". Wow? UO? EQ? M59?

FPS games are not where they were when DOOM was new and MMOs will change as well but the potential is way to great for the genre to disapear even if it like all genres have up and down periods.

And yes, this is a down period or massively would still be up.

While I don't know exactly where you are getting your information about the future from (and I never would trust stuff like that anyways), the MMOs will indeed be back with a vengeance as soon as a good enough new game launches.

But if you are assuming that MMO that is very similar to anything already released (that isn't Wow 2 of course) would be the gamechanger you are mistaken. Just like remaking "Doom" wont work with the FPS genre anymore the MMO genre needs new ideas as well.

Gardavsshade

I generally like mmorpg.com. I have always preferred it to the other websites for mmos.

Except on days when League of Angels Adverts are up. I find them distasteful.

So I will leave mmorpg.com for now and try again tomorrow and see if the LoA Ad campaign is over. If the LoA Ads are gone then I will spend some quality time of this website.

That is honestly the only consistent thing I don't agree with on mmorpg.com... some of the Ads mmorpg.com allows. LoA could advertize without looking like softcore porn. There are other sites more suited to that style of art.

Cecropia

Originally posted by Enbysra

Originally posted by nariusseldon

PC games are, in fact, more popular than ever, particular with steam and the indie scene.

Personally I think the classical MMORPGs have run its course .. they are too big, and unwieldy, and not convenient and fun enough for me, and I welcome the changes to more instanced, more game-like, more variety in MMOs.

First, the "classical MMORPG" is no where near the end of it's days. In fact, the future of MMORPGs will be far greater than at any point of it's past. Make no mistake about it, this period is just a lull. I have access to information that allows me to make such a statement knowingly. 

 

And to my knowledge "- x = less" not "- x = more". So actually, your "more variety" as it turns out, is "less variety."

If at all possible, please do share. I would love a little bit of old fashioned elaboration.

nariusseldon

Originally posted by Loke666

Originally posted by Enbysra

First, the "classical MMORPG" is no where near the end of it's days. In fact, the future of MMORPGs will be far greater than at any point of it's past. Make no mistake about it, this period is just a lull. I have access to information that allows me to make such a statement knowingly. 

And to my knowledge "- x = less" not "- x = more". So actually, your "more variety" as it turns out, is "less variety."

I think that really depends on what you mean with "classical MMO". Wow? UO? EQ? M59?

wow is classical by now.

The new ones are MOBAs, instanced games, marvel heroes, and so on ...

nariusseldon

Originally posted by Enbysra

Originally posted by nariusseldon

PC games are, in fact, more popular than ever, particular with steam and the indie scene.

Personally I think the classical MMORPGs have run its course .. they are too big, and unwieldy, and not convenient and fun enough for me, and I welcome the changes to more instanced, more game-like, more variety in MMOs.

First, the "classical MMORPG" is no where near the end of it's days. In fact, the future of MMORPGs will be far greater than at any point of it's past. Make no mistake about it, this period is just a lull. I have access to information that allows me to make such a statement knowingly. 

 

And to my knowledge "- x = less" not "- x = more". So actually, your "more variety" as it turns out, is "less variety."

less variety when now we have MOBAs, instanced games, pvp only games, and so on?

May be for you .. certainly not for me.

And i highly doubt you know anything. Even if you know somewhere some indie group is doing a single "classical MMO", i doubt that will change the genre. Look around you ... even this place is broadening their coverage.

But of course you can say "i am in the know" as much as you wish ... i don't have to believe it.

 

vadio123

Its only reflex actual market

After mmo get boom , not trend going down

Actual trend its MOBA because are casual and dont need grind and people love it

Impossible you make any mmorpg with content and interresing enough using same moba logic people plays mmo want somethigns it permanent effects and moba cant provide that and devs try use same moba logic to develop news mmo and community support this stratregy its why mmo fallen , i remember times people grind and grind everday dont matter if have work or need study but people are happys actual people living next hype and actual game hyped(few moths) ago just trash because next one its better ally with new logic behind alphas/early scam market going trend crash and people lost faith but its good thing survives can enjoy good mmo after this "doomdays" 

stevebombsquad

Originally posted by Loke666

Originally posted by Enbysra

First, the "classical MMORPG" is no where near the end of it's days. In fact, the future of MMORPGs will be far greater than at any point of it's past. Make no mistake about it, this period is just a lull. I have access to information that allows me to make such a statement knowingly. 

And to my knowledge "- x = less" not "- x = more". So actually, your "more variety" as it turns out, is "less variety."

 

And yes, this is a down period or massively would still be up.

 

That is not true. They had 40% year-over-year page view growth.

SwampySack

virtual reality was hyped in the 90s but didn't but didn't do so well.. Hopefully with Play Station's morpheus, FB's oculus rift & few others in development, some gamers may have something to look forward to.

Kazuhiro

Originally posted by Varex12
Define "good."  This site is run by a bunch of amateurs.  The only reason one could possibly have for coming here is the same reason I do:  To get scoops on upcoming games or news on current games from posters on this board about a week before this shitty site actually breaks the news themselves.  That and the occasional developer interviews are the only reason one would have to even come to this cesspool.  

That... is disturbingly accurate. At least for my use of the site.

Kuviski

Honestly, I never thought very highly of Massively. They had some nice content and there was a lot of it, but what bothered me were their practices with linkbaiting, site clicks generated from images and stuff like that. Coupled with some articles I felt were pretty sided or where I thought the journalist was very lacking in general knowledge of the genre.

It wasn't all that horrible though, and it's sad to see another website go. That being said, currently I don't think MMORPG is that much better either - the focus on non-MMORPGs is starting to reach botheringly high levels, and the layout quickly needs the upgrade the staff's been working on.

karmath

Originally posted by Kuviski

Honestly, I never thought very highly of Massively. They had some nice content and there was a lot of it, but what bothered me were their practices with linkbaiting, site clicks generated from images and stuff like that. Coupled with some articles I felt were pretty sided or where I thought the journalist was very lacking in general knowledge of the genre.

It wasn't all that horrible though, and it's sad to see another website go. That being said, currently I don't think MMORPG is that much better either - the focus on non-MMORPGs is starting to reach botheringly high levels, and the layout quickly needs the upgrade the staff's been working on.

Which is what we get here, plus add in the 'paid' for reviews and shills.

Gardavsshade

Originally posted by nariusseldon

Originally posted by Enbysra

Originally posted by nariusseldon

PC games are, in fact, more popular than ever, particular with steam and the indie scene.

Personally I think the classical MMORPGs have run its course .. they are too big, and unwieldy, and not convenient and fun enough for me, and I welcome the changes to more instanced, more game-like, more variety in MMOs.

First, the "classical MMORPG" is no where near the end of it's days. In fact, the future of MMORPGs will be far greater than at any point of it's past. Make no mistake about it, this period is just a lull. I have access to information that allows me to make such a statement knowingly. 

 

And to my knowledge "- x = less" not "- x = more". So actually, your "more variety" as it turns out, is "less variety."

less variety when now we have MOBAs, instanced games, pvp only games, and so on?

May be for you .. certainly not for me.

And i highly doubt you know anything. Even if you know somewhere some indie group is doing a single "classical MMO", i doubt that will change the genre. Look around you ... even this place is broadening their coverage.

But of course you can say "i am in the know" as much as you wish ... i don't have to believe it.

 

 

Try to be civil please. Your opinion is valid. So is everyone else's here.

As far as any Indy project changing the genre.... you and others are already on a campaign to change the genre and in a direction most opposite anything that could be considered "Classical"... is that what fired you up?

If so please be informed that there are some of us who disagree with you. Some of us want the Genre to return to it's classical roots but you already know that.

We don't hate you, we just disagree that on what direction the Genre should go. That's why this is a forum and why we debate here.

So can we please have discussion here without some calling others stupid? Because from where I am from that's exactly what "I highly doubt you know anything" means. It's highly derogatory and I should report you for it... but we are grown ups and I don't think we need to call in the Forum Moderators.

Kuviski

Originally posted by karmath

Originally posted by Kuviski

Honestly, I never thought very highly of Massively. They had some nice content and there was a lot of it, but what bothered me were their practices with linkbaiting, site clicks generated from images and stuff like that. Coupled with some articles I felt were pretty sided or where I thought the journalist was very lacking in general knowledge of the genre.

It wasn't all that horrible though, and it's sad to see another website go. That being said, currently I don't think MMORPG is that much better either - the focus on non-MMORPGs is starting to reach botheringly high levels, and the layout quickly needs the upgrade the staff's been working on.

Which is what we get here, plus add in the 'paid' for reviews and shills.

Can't say I would completely disagree with you, but somehow MMORPG.com always more like an enthusiast site where as Massively was more on the commercial side. That being said, I don't think most articles are 'paid' for, well, not really. Game journalists, like us all, have a tendency to easily get hyped and praise games early on for what ever new and innovative they happen offer. That, and when you interview the designer of a game in person, you don't want to go all out negative.

Nanfoodle

There are millions of gamers that MMO but when you MMO you play the same one from 6 months to years. PC gamers are looking for a new game every few weeks. So MMOers dont need to read up as often and less traffic means less money for sites like here. 

delta9

MMOrpg needs to be renamed F2Prpg seeing as that is what most are these days due to lack of innovation and any real vision since a certain game all but destroyed this genre and every big budget studio just wanting to emulate it

BillMurphy

I just wanted to pop in and tell you all that I CANNOT wait to show you what we're working on for the new site.

We know we're long overdue for an overhaul, and what we're building will (I think) put us close to the same league as Polygon, Verge, and so forth in terms of design. It's that good what Evan's created.

Just bear with us a little longer and we'll start showing it off. I can't say dates, except "soon". But I will promise this year.

graverobber

Argh! the "Soon" has evolved, its now spreading to news sites.

Cecropia

Originally posted by BillMurphy

I just wanted to pop in and tell you all that I CANNOT wait to show you what we're working on for the new site.

We know we're long overdue for an overhaul, and what we're building will (I think) put us close to the same league as Polygon, Verge, and so forth in terms of design. It's that good what Evan's created.

Just bear with us a little longer and we'll start showing it off. I can't say dates, except "soon". But I will promise this year.

He he he....I look forward to "soon".