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Top Dog next six months?
Arcticnoon
Member Posts: 141
FFXIV ARR has done nothing but impress of late. Look at games like Neverwinter, once it hit beta all the hype died. It has completely fallen off the hype meters top 7. Wildstar has been strong, but has also taken a hit after E3. ESOs delay, coupled with the unflattering video leak hasnt done it any favors.
Meanwhile FFXIV had a strong E3. It is now in its 3rd beta stage and 8 out of 10 players say they are beyond pleased. We all understand that hype is rarely reality, because imagination and hope will always over power. But when players get to put their hands on a game and that game meets their expectations and gives a little more, well.... thats just impressive.
After perusing many of the forums on multiple sites I have notice that the large majority of players unhappy with FFXIV are players who expected the game to be revolutionary and/or groundbreaking. This is not FFXIV. SE and its staff never promises a new take on the mmo. Their promise was a great mmo in the FF universe, while hoping to create a masterpiece. The other small contingent of complainers are those who loved FFXI before the lvl 99 cap, who were hoping for FFXI-2. Again, not promised. Infact Yoshi P. the games producer/director wanted to stear clear of that FFXI/EQ type game, seeing how there isnt much room for it in todays mmo market place.
With FFXIV set to be re-release before summers end, there will not be another new mmo before christmas. ESO is set for spring of 2014, while Wildstar and Neverwinter dont have release dates as of yet. This means FFXIV ARR, will have a minimum of 6 months of before any other new mmo. We should be looking at at least 2 major updates within this time. So I cant help but wonder, with FFXIV continueing on with its quality and polish, what would these next few mmos have to be in order to knock it off as top dog? I mean really, other than EQN, with all its promises, who has a chance?
Comments
I've played since 2010 and I've had great hopes for FF14 from the beginning.
I don't want to see anyone knock the feet out from under it so I'm kind of coming at this with a prejudice but they need to solidify the game over the next year or so. While the next 6 months is slow a lot of new games are on the horizon. ArcheAge, Black Desert, ESO, Blade&Soul, EQ revamp and we have no idea how many big expansions are in store from established games.
6 months is enough time to get their foot in the door. I hope they pull it off.
I agree, however, it's not really about other games as much as it is how FFXIV holds peoples attention. People can very easily go back to their previous mmorpg. I for one am very excited and am hoping this to be my mmorpg for the next several years. I do though keep my expectations low enough to be realistic. Version 1.0 was devastating to me and pretty much left me broken hearted
As I move onto the next gen of mmorpg gaming, I am also looking to do it with consoles. I want a console game that can outlast the best pc game. Hopefully the PS3 can pull it off and the PS4 to follow. Not that I'm against the Xbox's, but there hasn't been much news about them yet.
So, as far as your topic... it can be the top dog as far as new mmorpg's go. But can it BEAT the current top dog? Only time will tell.
The way I look at it is if they can update version 1.x as well as they did, WHILE building an entirely new game for two years. They probably have a pretty good handle now on how to deliver new content after launch.
Since this is exactly what most modern subscription offerings have seriously lacked (instead having to mainly fix issues with launch content), I have hope FFXIV will buck the trend.
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This is an amazingly good point. I think what sets SE apart (aside from the 1.0 launch debacle) is they have done this before. They have an idea now what works and what doesnt. They have their ear to the community and are open to adding new ideas to their own. I am happy giving my money to a company like this.
It's all about retention. If FFXIV can keep players around and hold their interest on a long term basis then it won't need to worry about OTHER MMO's coming out.
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Actually, Neverwinter release date is tomorrow, June 20. Just for correctness.
And why is the top dog for the next 6 months necessarily a non-released game? I suppose you mean "top dog that'll be launched in the next 6 months".
If so, from what I've gathered the only "big" MMO to get a confirmed release by then is FF.
Other games with a decent hype meter (read: higher than 7 in MMORPG.com) whose release dates are estimated for 2013 (by MMORPG game list, so forgive me if it is outdated) are: Arcane Saga, Archeage, Black Desert, End of Nations, EQ Next, Origins of Malu, Otherland, The Repopulation, WildStar.
Archeage: Looks like a good game, but appears to have fallen down in hype lately. I haven't been following the game closely, but I suspect something came up either with some game mechanic or the recent passage from sub to F2P. I also doubt it'll be launched before 2014, but it's a decent game to keep an eye on.
Arcane Saga Looking like it's to Prius Online what ARR is to vanilla XIV, of sorts. I don't see it as a top dog, despite being an amusing game.
Black Desert: I haven't followed this one at all, so I can't really comment on it. Looks like a cool game from a quick search, cool graphics, somewhat sandbox-y like Archeage, but I don't expect it to launch in 2013 either. We'll see.
End of Nations: Well, it's a different game. Being RTS by nature will probably make it a niche game for main RPG players, so I don't see it as a big contender in that area.
EQ Next: I never played the original one, so I can't see why the big hype around it (except the huge hype around the August revealings which editors are praising left and right).
It has the mother of all hype, nearing 9 now, and I doubt it'll meet expectations that high, especially because MMORPG users and editors tend to be very bipolar and have a lot of rose-tinted glasses available. Some people are craving for a sandbox game, so this might be the next big sandbox. At any rate, I don't see this launching in 2013 either, so off the list it goes.
Origins of Malu: Never heard of this one before, and activity is kinda low for a game with this hype. Sandbox, sub-based, toon graphics (sort of WoW-like in quality, though the animations look clunky from the videos) seems to have a PvP focus with perma-death option (?). It might fill the sandbox niche for a while, but it doesn't seem a top contender. Also, not sure if it'll release in 2013, since it apparently missed some dates before.
Otherland: Again first time I've heard of it. Looks very lore-based, since it's coming from books. Unreal 3 engine will give it plenty of graphical prowess, it's F2P, and along with lore | story it'll supposedly have a focus on combat. Fans from the book series will probably rejoice.
From the looks it might even not launch at all, so I doubt it'll be a top contender even if it does manage to launch.
The Repopulation: 3rd in a row I never heard of. 3-faction PvP, dynamic events (sort of), 2 combat modes, player-built cities? That looks cool at first, but it's an indie-developed F2P game, so unless it's THAT great it'll probably be a niche game that people might check from time to time; and that is ok.
Not a top contender again, I reckon.
WildStar: From the information so far it looks like WoW with some newer mechanics and a more action-based combat. Graphics look like Torchlight 2 Enhanced, which is a bit "meh" for 2013, but the colourful ambient, scenarios and tight animations might make up for it. If anything, this one looks like a modernized WoW with some enhanced mechanics that's trying to bring back some of the magic from the 9-year-old game and give it a custom flavor with mechanics from either other newer games or from vanilla aspects of the actual MMORPG beast.
If this one meets the expected 2013 launch, provided from the features seen until now, it'll probably be next big thing after ARR. I think it's a different kind of game compared to ARR, so I don't see those 2 clashing and will probably co-exist happily.
TL:DR - Only WildStar maybe for the next 6 months. After that, maybe EQ Next, although that seems more niche than the 2 others, especially if it's similar to the first one in terms of features.
Interesting, I didn't get that vibe at all, quite the opposite. With a reveal in August this year, I do not expect an actual launch until way into next year though.
Which vibe are you talking about? Being the probable next "big thing" after WildStar?
I find the August reveal a way to try and make a dent on ARR subscriptions (launching by the end of August) more than anything. I don't believe it's a coincidence, but pure market play, as ARR has been steadily gaining traction.
It's not unthinkable to see betas around Sep. - Nov. this year with a launch in December, but yeah, we don't know the state of the game so chances are it's gonna be in 2014.
Still, I don't see any game after ARR and WildStar scheduled to launch before EQ Next that'll make an impact that big on the western market, even if I think EQ Next might be a bit niche if it's anything like the first one.
That's why I stated what you quoted
.
ARR certainly has a pretty unique opportunity here-
1. Unprecedented re-release of a "failed" MMO.
2. Zero competition with other major new releases
3. Strong IP and brand name
4. Self published (not a point to underestimate)
5. Very large marketing campagin
6. Thus far, reception has been quite good
7. Established MMO company - they know how to run a MMO as this is their second (or maybe consider it 3rd attempt?)
Wildstar should release sometime this year, the devs said that they are aiming for a release this year, though it's still possible it might be as late as early 2014. It's hard to say if FFXIV:ARR is going to be more popular than it, but my money is on Wildstar. EQN is still a big unknown and I doubt it will release this year or even before TESO, but you never know with Sony (and I'd be disappointed if it releases that early anyway as it won't receive proper beta testing). Neverwinter is technically released as they are charging people for the cash shop despite them claiming it's in "open beta", but I don't think a comparison could even be made between a F2P and a sub based game.
Still FFXIV:ARR will be really successful, certainly it's a much better game than 1.0 was. You could be right and it could very well overtake Wildstar and even remain Top Dog till other MMOs hit mid 2014.
If I'm not mistaken the August reveal SoE announced was WAY before ARR's release date was announced. It's not really a marketing play, SoE has pretty much stated from the beginning of this year to wait for SoE live for a reveal for EQ Next. If it is a marketing play it was likely aimed more at Wildstar and TESO who had projected release dates close around that time.
TESO has the name recognition, but it is also the first game ever made by the studio. Sure they have industry veterans, but TESO is their first title.
TESO is also the first online Elder Scrolls in a long line of games with a great history - could work for or against the title.
TESO is also being published by Bethesda and is part of ZeniMax Media group of companies, which includes publishing partner Bethesda, Bethesda Game Studios, id software, and Arkane Studios.
Which means Zenimax Online studios (the devs) are at the whim of their publisher, a mega-corp conglomerate.
ArcheAge is another step in a long line of hyped of mediocre games - it will have no traction in the US and will end up about as successful as any other MMO in the past 8+ years. It will launch F2P and will be a niche title with a LOT of players picking it up initially and then dropping it for the next big release or to go back to their other game(s).
ArcheAge is the next TERA or TSW or AION.
Who knows how well FFXIV:ARR will do, but I'd give the game much, much better odds than AA.
TESO is an unknown - they are going to have to pull off a miracle to impress both ES fans and MMO fans - because the people who are both ES and MMO fans are the ones the most worried.
I agree with you after getting a chance to play the beta. The game is good simply put and I'm excited to play it in August. Now that being said I already made up my mind to drop it for ESO......... just because well it's elder scrolls nough said. If that fails(Which I doubt it) I'll simply go back to FFXIV ARR
P.S. Neverwinter has gone Live since early June, so that's considered released.
Yes, I'm going to be the hater on this thread. I'm really sorry, if it was 2008 then we might be talking about top dog, but this has SUCH a huge gap to make up compared to games that are coming up. If it wasn't FF, would it be good still? Probably not. Or at least not as good as it's being talked up. I participated in p3 beta and I was TOTALLY pumped and ready to go with it, but when I started playing the game was empty, unengaging, it lacked any sort of hook to make me really want it, to want to PAY for it.
IDK, maybe it's because I have played so many MMOs now, but I look at something like FFARR compared to top-tier F2P games and it's got some tough competition, nevermind the fact that you've got to pay for it. I'm hoping that the open beta will maybe fix some of the deficiencies, but there are 3 or 4 games currently available that I would play over FFARR as it sits.
Crazkanuk
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I don't think you can really compared ArcheAge to those other games. ArcheAge is a sandbox which I think the MMORPG industry sorely needs is a good sandbox game. I for one am tired of all the themepark MMORPGs. I am hoping it or Black Desert will be good.
edit: That being said I'm still looking forward to and plan on playing ARR.
After playing both FFXIV:ARR and TESO in the same weekend...
I don't think there is a contest. TESO is still under NDA, so I can't say much, but, it doesn't compare to the feeling I had when getting my hands on ARR.
Sorry Bethesda. Stick with single-player games.
actually the "MMORPG industry" has a good running sandbox game for 10 years now.
it's still up and running, and it's called eve online.
on the other hand, eve has like 600k subs or sth - everything it needed to be successfull, on the other hand a clear statement on what the majority of gamers want, not a sandbox.
no matter how good it is, it does not appeal to the masses.
"I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!"
Any graphical, audio, or gameplay restrictions not seen in other mmos but found in FFXIV can be blamed on one thing.
PS3
In a world where every mmo is going free to play within months after all the hype i will believe FF ARR will have its own playerbase.
It doesnt need 3 millions subs to play even, Naoki yoshida have said that 500k subs should slowly bring back the investment and they have all the time in the world to do so.
Looking at what FF ARR brings to the table looks solid enough to keep me playing and paying for a good while.
Raids
Dungeons
Primals
Fate's
Alts
Crafting
Major contend update will contain:
Housing
New raids
New dungeons
new Primals
New Fate's
What i like the most is FF doesnt need to look to competition and can just be what its supose to be a solid themepark mmo with its own identity with nothing to fear.
AA
Warhammer 40k
ESO
EQN
Big hype but i havent played any of these mmo's and so its realy hard to say how bad or good they are.
Naoki Yoshida has deliverd the imposible task of restoring fate into the IP and SE.
This man speak truth in a age of deceit and lies.
Where mmo site's give high revieuws value only to find the playerbase disapointed and leave in masse.
SWTOR / GW2 to name 2 latest installments that where hyped up and given such high revieuws....
FF ARR does its own thing, it has nothing to be affraid for
None has to worry about this mmo going Free to play or buy to play.
Its has one of the best community's established.
You either love Final Fantasy or you dont.
With all this said, i dont give a penny if subs would be 15 million or 750k.
People will play this mmo for the love they have for Final Fantasy
And with a guy named Naoki Yoshida things have taken a turn into a road no1 could have hoped for.
Everyone loves a comeback
The subs turn me off, but it looks like Square is finally doing it right.
"As you read these words, a release is seven days or less away or has just happened within the last seven days those are now the only two states youll find the world of Tyria."...Guild Wars 2
Maybe you're right, and at the time FF XIV ARR wasn't being seen as one of the top release contenders and, in hindsight, as a supposed sandbox it's maybe better aimed at Archeage / Black Desert. One might argue as well that each company to its own and that they don't need to pay attention to others' launches, but we all know that they need to and are paying attention to each other.
I still think that in a way or another, this reveal's content has probably changed in time due to marketing reasons. Time will certainly tell.
Archeage has had a lot of traction since the beginning, but fell a lot lately. It doesn't seem a game fit for the casual "hop in and out" player, so as you say it's looking like an Aion / TERA for the western market. Launching as F2P might give it some advantage and I suspect it'll have a sizable dedicated community for a while, but won't be able to leave the "niche" status.
TESO I don't know, I've never been a fan of 1st person RPGs since they give me motion sickness so I never followed that saga from a player perspective. From past experience, notorious single-player games tend to flop when they try to go into MMO business, and the uncovered news until now look "meh".
Not every game is for everyone, that's for sure. I don't know what you expected nor what exactly disappointed you, and you made me curious with those statements.
If you're expecting Archeage / Black Desert to be full-fledged sandboxes I think you'll be disappointed in the end.
I'm curious, did you play the Elder Scrolls single-player games? Also, what MMOs do you enjoy the most?
I have the same feeling for a TESO flop, but you seem to me more knowledgeable and in a better position to make such assertions, so...
.
aye they both use the damn action bar
?
when will a mmo show up without a fracking action bar