News
NCsoft says console MMOs are inevitable
Ben Parfitt Feb 5 2008, 10:11am
Comments (7)
But adds that optimising its games for PS3 is a technically taxing challenge
In an interview with GameDaily, the president of NCsoft North America Chris Chung has said that it is inevitable that the MMO genre will eventually shift its focus from PC to consoles – and that the shift will be a technically challenging one.
"We have to really optimize for consoles; we have to create an experience that's suited for the PS3 and supports the MMO element. I think the shift to consoles is inevitable.
"I think there are a lot of causes that factor into good MMOs on a console. These are elements like 'does the person have a standard definition TV or an HDTV?' You don't have a good a resolution on regular TV, and a lot of games were hurting for that.”
NCsoft, which publishes popular MMO titles such as Guild Wars and City of Heroes, last year signed a deal with Sony which it see it bring the MMO genre to PS3.
Comments
“Stuff the console!”
Posted by: Onehunglow - Feb 5, 10:27am
Long suffering PC gamers have fallen foul to the console with the focus shifting on creating uninspiring, dumb-downed piles of stea*******!
For time now, MMO games are being designed with the console in mind - easier controls, goal based rewards etc but do you think console owners want to play MMO games? And if they are, prepared to fork out monthly subs? I think not.
“Re: Stuff the console!”
Posted by: LtCm_Data - Feb 5, 11:31am
I'm a console gamer through and through, and would I like to play MMOs on my 360 and PS3? Damn right. But, like you rightly say, am I prepared to pay a monthly sub to do so? Hell no.
“Re: Stuff the console!”
Posted by: Jhandra - Feb 5, 2:27pm
I think one of the big cost issues is that to get a console "online" you already need to fork out for your basic internet connection and then pay for the privilege of using the higher end features of an online service, and in the case of an MMO you would then need to pay a monthly fee to play on top of that. The cost between this and a PC MMO subscription might seem minimal, but factor in that the PC games are generally cheaper and in your first month you'll be around £20 out of pocket on console.
Besides, consoles have already got MMO's - Phantasy Star Online anyone? :)
“Re: Stuff the console!”
Posted by: LtCm_Data - Feb 5, 3:22pm
Yeah, but they're not 'proper' MMOs, are they?
“Re: Stuff the console!”
Posted by: LtCm_Data - Feb 5, 3:26pm
And you have to pay monthly for PSO, no?
“Re: Stuff the console!”
Posted by: Onehunglow - Feb 5, 5:00pm
PC MMOs are still in the £35 bracket when they launch, followed by subs of between £10-£15. PC gamers are more inclined to spend based on the fact they upgrade their PCs probably more often.
MMOs have become extremely stale and a breeding ground for those who lack creativity and combine that with the fact everyone has been trying to clone the warcraft formula without much success shows that the genre needs something different than the grind fest they have become.
“Re: Stuff the console!”
Posted by: Onehunglow - Feb 5, 5:01pm
*edit* I cant edit my post above....but just to be clear when i say that 'MMOs have become extremely stale and a breeding ground for those who lack creativity' I mean that from a developers point of view