Why WoW will continue to dominate MMORPGs

[Prepared]

Why World of Warcraft (WoW) will continue to dominate over all Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games today and for the next few years...


Yes, World of Warcraft has been around for about four years now, but the game play is very smoothly written and designed. Coupled with the appeal to many different role playing gamers such as Player versus Player (PvP) and Player versus Environment (PvE) and the extensibility of expanding both the interface and macros, World of Warcraft has a wide variety of different play styles. Solo players, group players, multiboxxers, strategic raid players, WoW can be played in very many different ways.

From raid instances to epic PvP battles in the latest expansion due on November 13th, there will be many players holding on to their subscriptions.

WoW isn't perfect but after reviewing the latest MMORPGs released recently, there is nothing the other games have that WoW doesn't.

Having said the above, the most annoying WoW bug that still exists in the expansion is the one I call 'The graphics location bug'. This is where the WoW client thinks another player or creature is some where else in the game and it's really right next to the current player. The screen doesn't show the creature or player but the map may show a player far away. Never-the-less, WoW does have smooth game play even if you're boxxing 36 WoW clients on 11 computers over a high speed cable Internet connection through a router.

[Aethon]

I thought WoW would be around a long time because you're singlehandedly paying their electric bill :-P

As for the graphical bug, yeah, I hate dying to invisible mobs that I can't target, but it's worse when I can't loot them. I find that when a melee mob is attacking me from 30 yards away (in melee combat) it's best just to run up to where they're showing before they die. Usually it's close enough that you don't get the loot bug as well.

On the other aspects, I love WoW. I wish there were completely new starting areas and leveling zones for 1-60 as well as a new level 1 class to play. I don't have much suggestion on what that class play style/system would be, I just want something a little different sometimes.

[Prepared]

I thought WoW would be around a long time because you're singlehandedly paying their electric bill :-P

As for the graphical bug, yeah, I hate dying to invisible mobs that I can't target, but it's worse when I can't loot them. I find that when a melee mob is attacking me from 30 yards away (in melee combat) it's best just to run up to where they're showing before they die. Usually it's close enough that you don't get the loot bug as well.

On the other aspects, I love WoW. I wish there were completely new starting areas and leveling zones for 1-60 as well as a new level 1 class to play. I don't have much suggestion on what that class play style/system would be, I just want something a little different sometimes.

I'd like to see a BARD like they have in Everquest. That would be cool in WoW. :)

[Fleecy]

I think a part of WoWs success is its ability to run on significantly lower spec hardware relative to other games in the market -- be it MMORPG or other genres. Though, the minimum specifications have changed considerably over the last four years, as have technology advancements of course.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Judging by some of the changes Blizzard is implementing (adding queueing for BGs from anywhere in the world, XP from PVP, etc.) I'd concur as they appear willing to absorb good features from other products.

[Qlimax]

I think the 60 was the most fun mechanically as far as classes being more centered around a certain spec whereas in the expansion one class can substitute another, such as holy pally and priest. I guess its bias'ed that I played a mage and a warrior where you really couldnt substitute those (try tanking UBRS as a prot pally). I think the prospect of some classes being better naturally than others in some aspects, druids and locks pvp, because then you dont have everyone doing the same thing. 70 wasnt as enjoyable as I thought it would be, but I think the storyline of WotLK will fix it, hopefully. I wish they added another class other than DK, that way you spread across the ammount of people creating a new class in the starting area day 1 by 1/2.

One thing i hate the most is farming motes of mana in netherstorm outside of area 52 with the ravines and killing the mana wraiths halfway up the ravine, making it physically impossible to loot, oh well

[Suvega]

I don't understand your post,



is this a personal opionon based on that PvP and PvE exists with smooth gameplay?

is this a QQ post about a desync bug?

is this another excuse to bring up the fact that you ZOMG play 36 characters?

[Ellay]

the desync bug is quite annoying, i haven't had it happen to me personally for prob a week, I can see how it would become an issue thoug hwith 36 boxes.

[Prepared]

I don't understand your post,



is this a personal opionon based on that PvP and PvE exists with smooth gameplay?

is this a QQ post about a desync bug?

is this another excuse to bring up the fact that you ZOMG play 36 characters?

It's not really any of those. The message is that none of the new MMORPGs released recently or that are in the works are going to get any where near the number of subscribers that WoW has. That's really the point I'm making. The mention about the desync bug if that's what it's referred to as, is just that WoW isn't perfect, it has flaws, but even with that, it's way above and beyond any other MMORPG out there or in the plans to be released. When a new MMORPG is announced, there's all kinds of hype that goes along with it that turns out to be nothing fantastic because they usually lack a lot of the things that are in WoW already.

[Suvega]

I dunno, not to be a douche but I guess when I read a post declaring why WoW will continue to be successful, I expect something new or insightful.

Your argument on why wow will continue to dominate has no factual merit, and only supporting statement is that it supports many play styles, which are also available in many of WoW's competitors: Age of Conan, Warhammer, Etc.

All of these aspects you list have also been apart of WoW since inception, so I fail to see anything new or insightful in the post.



For comparison sake, I offer a similar argument:

iPhone will continue to dominate the cellphone market today, and in the future.

With a smooth ui, fun animations, and the ability for developers to add additional content, iPhone will stay in a dominant position.

Sometimes it sufferes from a security flaw or two, but the UI is very clean and fun to play with.



?? Whats the point in reitterating what everyone already knows. /shrug.

[Zite83]

I think a part of WoWs success is its ability to run on significantly lower spec hardware relative to other games in the market -- be it MMORPG or other genres. Though, the minimum specifications have changed considerably over the last four years, as have technology advancements of course.I will agree. I think WoWs main success was that it can run on almost everyone's computer. Blizzard did a great job looking at their data from past games and what player had for machines. Most of the time what I hear from other people is that WoW looks cartoonish and its graphics suck.. Wow.. what a shallow gamer.. Are gaphics everything these days..? What about plots and story lines.. What about ease of game play and fun.. Does that not matter anymore.. Is it that a good game is defined by how shallow the game play is and how that only the top 10% of gamers can even play it? WoW will last for a very very long time.. They have done almost everything perfect!

[mmcookies]

maybe it's fishing for insights for whatever review is about to be written =p

[thinus]

Things I don't like about WoW:

Low poly dated graphics
Cartoony models
Grind grind grind grind grind PvE 5-man: Run instances ad nauseum to get required drops / rep / badges
Grind grind grind grind grind PvE raid: Run raid instinces ad nauseum to gear a raid
Grind grind grind grind grind PvP: tokens, honor
Grind grind grind grind grind gold: dailies, motes, etc
*EPIC FAIL* world PvP....bring back TM / SS, make faction leader raids viable again
*EPIC FAIL* quick AVs for the honor grinders and ADD generation, give us back a BG with loads of NPCs and side objectives, ie the Ice Lord, that lasts for hours if not days
*EPIC FAIL* arena / e-sport crap, its an MMORPG FFS and don't get me started on arena balancing decisions impacting PvE and world or BG pvp
*EPIC FAIL* arena ranking / matching system, hello full S4 group against new 1500 team
Overpowering, Mortal Striking, Executing, Hamstringing, Plate Wearing, AoE Fearing, Rending machines of death and destruction. Oh wait, let's address the balance issue in WotLK by giving Fury a MS except its a melee proc so they don't have to dump rage on it and make them dual wield two 2Hers.
Class system (I am probably in the minority here but I hate class based systems, pure skill based system is where its at)
Cookie cutter specs due to useless, weak or broken talents/abilities/spells


There is plenty wrong with WoW but I agree there simply isn't anything better and I don't see anyone out there innovative enough to make a MMORPG that improves on the weaknesses in WoW.

[Ellay]

Actually Suvega the Iphone apparently has some pretty strong competition on the horizon :) something google is making, dunno ><

[ChaoticMonk]

I thaught the "google phone" turned out to be an open source SDK for phones? ?(

[thinus]

Most of the time what I hear from other people is that WoW looks cartoonish and its graphics suck.. Wow.. what a shallow gamer.. Are gaphics everything these days..?

No, graphics are not everything but it is what you look at ALL the time while playing the game.


What about plots and story lines.. What about ease of game play and fun.. Does that not matter anymore..

So you can't have good graphics, good plot and good story lines? Improving the graphics is going to make the story line suck maybe? Improving the graphics is going to make gameplay more complex? Oh wait, maybe better graphics will make it less fun, that must be it.


Is it that a good game is defined by how shallow the game play is and how that only the top 10% of gamers can even play it? WoW will last for a very very long time.. They have done almost everything perfect!

Try taking off those rose coloured glasses.

[Tasty]

For comparison sake, I offer a similar argument:

iPhone will continue to dominate the cellphone market today, and in the future.

With a smooth ui, fun animations, and the ability for developers to add additional content, iPhone will stay in a dominant position.

Sometimes it sufferes from a security flaw or two, but the UI is very clean and fun to play with.

I love my Iphone, its awesome. IT DOESN'T DO TASKS IN OUTLOOK WTF!?

also


Knights of the Old Republic Online will kill WoW :D

[Tasty]

Things I don't like about WoW:

Low poly dated graphics
Cartoony models
Grind grind grind grind grind PvE 5-man: Run instances ad nauseum to get required drops / rep / badges
Grind grind grind grind grind PvE raid: Run raid instinces ad nauseum to gear a raid
Grind grind grind grind grind PvP: tokens, honor
Grind grind grind grind grind gold: dailies, motes, etc
*EPIC FAIL* world PvP....bring back TM / SS, make faction leader raids viable again
*EPIC FAIL* quick AVs for the honor grinders and ADD generation, give us back a BG with loads of NPCs and side objectives, ie the Ice Lord, that lasts for hours if not days
*EPIC FAIL* arena / e-sport crap, its an MMORPG FFS and don't get me started on arena balancing decisions impacting PvE and world or BG pvp
*EPIC FAIL* arena ranking / matching system, hello full S4 group against new 1500 team
Overpowering, Mortal Striking, Executing, Hamstringing, Plate Wearing, AoE Fearing, Rending machines of death and destruction. Oh wait, let's address the balance issue in WotLK by giving Fury a MS except its a melee proc so they don't have to dump rage on it and make them dual wield two 2Hers.
Class system (I am probably in the minority here but I hate class based systems, pure skill based system is where its at)
Cookie cutter specs due to useless, weak or broken talents/abilities/spells


There is plenty wrong with WoW but I agree there simply isn't anything better and I don't see anyone out there innovative enough to make a MMORPG that improves on the weaknesses in WoW.Good god it makes me wonder why you even bother with MMORPGS at this point in time lol. If I didn't like WoW and there was nothing better I'd switch genres for a while :O

[valkry]

They are making Faction leader raids viable again...remove it from your list please.

[Fleecy]

Knights of the Old Republic Online will kill WoW :D

I was saying that about Conan. It took me 5 hours to drop my collectors edition and go back to WoW :) Though, I do have great hopes for KotORO.

[valkry]

I ahvent even heard of that KotOR lol. I don't see wow failing for a while at least though. Also, I want to find out what happens next lore wise...

[Tasty]

I ahvent even heard of that KotOR lol. I don't see wow failing for a while at least though. Also, I want to find out what happens next lore wise...Lore Shmore, I'd rather just cut people up with Lightsabers :P

[krinkle]

Having said the above, the most annoying WoW bug that still exists in the expansion is the one I call 'The graphics location bug'. This is where the WoW client thinks another player or creature is some where else in the game and it's really right next to the current player. The screen doesn't show the creature or player but the map may show a player far away. Never-the-less, WoW does have smooth game play even if you're boxxing 36 WoW clients on 11 computers over a high speed cable Internet connection through a router.Haha. That bug drives me crazy! I never knew it existed until I started multiboxing and all my toons would hearth and only 4 out of the 5 would show up! So annoying.

[wowphreak]

deysnc bug annoying what happens to me sometimes is I'll af all my chars mount up and start moving to a new area to see all my guys standing there
alt tab and from there point of view my main standing there so in order for them to sync up gotta run em outta of mini screen range and then back.
I wish there was a way to force resync or something.


One of the thing that WoW does right is that they add new content on a regular basis for free.

They never got pvp right hoping in wotlk its get better.

One of the things thats gonna kill wow is having all these new areas and not enough players in each area. Since there seem to be a hard limit on the number of people, is that everyone will be to spread out and getting groups will be a major pain. This is already happening to some degree if yeh don't play at prime time.

[OzPhoenix]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.

[Tasty]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.Lucky I still consider WoW just a game. I imagine if they 'retire' WoW alot of people will be upset cause their 'accomplishments' will mean nothing. NOT that you can't actually accomplish stuff in WoW its just that its WoW related most of the time and has no real world value. (imo)

[OzPhoenix]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.Lucky I still consider WoW just a game. I imagine if they 'retire' WoW alot of people will be upset cause their 'accomplishments' will mean nothing. NOT that you can't actually accomplish stuff in WoW its just that its WoW related most of the time and has no real world value. (imo)I just don't see how the subscriber base of the two games could survive side by side. It would seem to me that most of D3's new accounts would cannibalise Wow's subscriber base.

[Tasty]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.Lucky I still consider WoW just a game. I imagine if they 'retire' WoW alot of people will be upset cause their 'accomplishments' will mean nothing. NOT that you can't actually accomplish stuff in WoW its just that its WoW related most of the time and has no real world value. (imo)I just don't see how the subscriber base of the two games could survive side by side. It would seem to me that most of D3's new accounts would cannibalise Wow's subscriber base.*sigh* back to reminiscing about D2.... good times. My merc was so decked out lol, windfury etc. It managed to kill everyone I dueled hehe. Also not everyone will want to play D3 (i think). Kinda like War

[thinus]

Good god it makes me wonder why you even bother with MMORPGS at this point in time lol. If I didn't like WoW and there was nothing better I'd switch genres for a while :O

I enjoy the challenge of 5-boxing. Besides, I only listed the things I don't like about WoW to illustrate the point that there is room for improvement. There are many things I do like. If it wasn't for 5-boxing I probably wouldn't be playing WoW because once you get to the *grind* phase I start to lose interest.

[Moorea]

I don't understand your post,



is this a personal opionon based on that PvP and PvE exists with smooth gameplay?

is this a QQ post about a desync bug?

is this another excuse to bring up the fact that you ZOMG play 36 characters?


Having a case of the mondays ?

back to topic: I would agree that wow is pretty unique - another reason for it to be around a long time is the investment (time) that millions of people have in the game - unless they screw up majorly I think it'll be around for a long time.

On the other hand I'm a bit worried that some realms can quickly become ghosttowns when significant % of players jump to other games or realms

[Moorea]

Knights of the Old Republic Online will kill WoW :D

I was saying that about Conan. It took me 5 hours to drop my collectors edition and go back to WoW :) Though, I do have great hopes for KotORO.

You're faster than me - I played AoC for about 2 weeks before realizing it sucked/was boring to me (first 20 levels/tortage and the novelty effect were great though; great enough that I cancelled wow at the time; since then resumed) - I also had WAR CE pre ordered and I cancelled it after couple hours playing the beta. (at least this time I saved money compared to AOC collector)

I may give a 2nd shot to AOC after I get bored for WOTLK and if they fix the biggest issues...

What is KotORO/when does it come out ? (and can you multi box it ?)

[Tasty]

Knights of the Old Repblic is a star wars game. I don't know when it comes out. I don't care if its boxable or not I'll still play it :D. Also I wasn't being serious when I said it would kill WoW lol.

[ObesAU]

People used to make threads like this about Everquest.

WoW will one day lose its dominance, all it took for EQ was a really bad expansion released at the same time as a good alternative.

[valkry]

For EQ...all it took was WoW to kill it? I seriously can't think of a way to beat wow, it's not like they are keeping the game the same either, they are constantly trying to improve it. I give wow 4 more years min. 1 year of wotlk, 1 year of Emerald Dream, 1 year of Malestrom, 1 year of God Realm/titan realm or w/e.

Possibly the thing that will kill WoW will be the new MMO being made by Blizzard. A lot of people try to leave wow for new MMOs claiming they are sick of wow and need a change...but they come back when they realise wow is still the best.

[Prepared]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.

I don't think Diablo 3 is going to be a paid subscription game like WoW is. It will probably end up being more like an updated version of Diablo 2 that runs on an updated battle.net. Starcraft 2 is not going to be subscription based either.

I believe that the game that will replace WoW is WoS which Blizzard probably won't announce for quite a while. Anyone care to guess what I mean by WoS? Yes, World of Starcraft. I believe it will eventually be the game that will replace WoW if Blizzard gets around to doing it. With 3 main factions battling it out instead of 2, that would rock!

[Tasty]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.

I don't think Diablo 3 is going to be a paid subscription game like WoW is. It will probably end up being more like an updated version of Diablo 2 that runs on an updated battle.net. Starcraft 2 is not going to be subscription based either.

I believe that the game that will replace WoW is WoS which Blizzard probably won't announce for quite a while. Anyone care to guess what I mean by WoS? Yes, World of Starcraft. I believe it will eventually be the game that will replace WoW if Blizzard gets around to doing it. With 3 main factions battling it out instead of 2, that would rock!How could they afford to run all the servers if they don't have monthly subscriptions? In relation to D3 that is

[Prepared]

Given the extreme overlap of audiences between WoW and Diablo 3, I would expect Blizzard to (assuming D3 is a full subscription service like WoW) retire WoW in favour of D3 when it comes out in 2-3 years time.

That's my 2 copper.

I don't think Diablo 3 is going to be a paid subscription game like WoW is. It will probably end up being more like an updated version of Diablo 2 that runs on an updated battle.net. Starcraft 2 is not going to be subscription based either.

I believe that the game that will replace WoW is WoS which Blizzard probably won't announce for quite a while. Anyone care to guess what I mean by WoS? Yes, World of Starcraft. I believe it will eventually be the game that will replace WoW if Blizzard gets around to doing it. With 3 main factions battling it out instead of 2, that would rock!How could they afford to run all the servers if they don't have monthly subscriptions? In relation to D3 that is

The game will probably cost $49. How are they able to run the servers on Diablo 1, Starcraft, and Diablo 2? By sales of the game. They don't have to worry so much about having game masters monitor the game as much as they do with a paid subscription game like WoW. There will be some game masters around but no where near what they have with WoW.

[OzPhoenix]

I would be very surprised if D3 does not adopt WoW's subscription model.

I could be biased in that, because I really hope it does adopt WoW's subscription model, because I firmly believe that's the best model around in order to see a game continuously updated and kept fresh.

How about this then: IF - IF D3 did have the same subscription model as WoW, would you agree then that the two would largely poach each others playerbases?

[Tasty]

I would be very surprised if D3 does not adopt WoW's subscription model.

I could be biased in that, because I really hope it does adopt WoW's subscription model, because I firmly believe that's the best model around in order to see a game continuously updated and kept fresh.

How about this then: IF - IF D3 did have the same subscription model as WoW, would you agree then that the two would largely poach each others playerbases?I'm with you on that one. Look at D2 lol. Grated it was ages ago so theres a time difference, but theres like a patch every 3 years and then no patches at all. Bearing in mind also they're totally different games.

[OzPhoenix]

I would be very surprised if D3 does not adopt WoW's subscription model.

I could be biased in that, because I really hope it does adopt WoW's subscription model, because I firmly believe that's the best model around in order to see a game continuously updated and kept fresh.

How about this then: IF - IF D3 did have the same subscription model as WoW, would you agree then that the two would largely poach each others playerbases?I'm with you on that one. Look at D2 lol. Grated it was ages ago so theres a time difference, but theres like a patch every 3 years and then no patches at all. Bearing in mind also they're totally different games.Which is actually why I suspect it will use Wow's subscription model. D3 is going to be a large project, needing large returns I suspect. And if it does use a full subscription model, I don't see how it cannot help but to poach many WoW players - which from Blizzards point of view is no gain at all.

[valkry]

I don't know about you guys, but when I start a subscription for another game, I'll still play wow too, I won't stop playing it lol. It's not impossible to play two games in the same period, switching between them as you get a little bored of one.

[glo]

I don't know about you guys, but when I start a subscription for another game, I'll still play wow too, I won't stop playing it lol. It's not impossible to play two games in the same period, switching between them as you get a little bored of one.

I see blizzard offering a package sub for d3 and wow.

As for the wow dominance I think quite a few pvpers will eventually quit wow for darkfall online.

[suprafro]

Ok, so from what information has been disclosed regarding D3 it's just a multiplayer hack and slash like D2/D1. While it's definitely going to be a fun game...there is no persistent world, it's not an MMO. It's just a fun multiplayer game. Addicted MMO players do not jump ship from their current MMO every time a new non-mmo game is released

[Bigfish]

WoW has maintained dominance through the fact that there is ALWAYS something to do in the game, and it is almost always pretty fun.

That, and no one else seems capable of pulling off a production schedule that will get a game released quickly and with a high quality that is easily accessable by anyone with a computer.

[Aethon]

I dunno, not to be a douche but I guess when I read a post declaring why WoW will continue to be successful, I expect something new or insightful.

Your argument on why wow will continue to dominate has no factual merit, and only supporting statement is that it supports many play styles, which are also available in many of WoW's competitors: Age of Conan, Warhammer, Etc.

All of these aspects you list have also been apart of WoW since inception, so I fail to see anything new or insightful in the post.



For comparison sake, I offer a similar argument:

iPhone will continue to dominate the cellphone market today, and in the future.

With a smooth ui, fun animations, and the ability for developers to add additional content, iPhone will stay in a dominant position.

Sometimes it sufferes from a security flaw or two, but the UI is very clean and fun to play with.



?? Whats the point in reitterating what everyone already knows. /shrug.



Your comparison isn't valid. WhoTF cares about an iPhone? How many iPhones have been sold compared to crackberries? Or even the crappy Verizon LG and it's iterations?

You can't compare apples to cement blocks.

edit: the WTF -> WhoTF, 'cause I use WTF for all my who, what, where and when's.

[puppychow]

Its rare something dies because of competition, its usually self-inflicted wounds - whether its the music business crumbling due to completely misresponding to online piracy (Napster), or the American car business misreading consumers in the 70s, or SoE completely failing to respond to the players in SWG. WoW is getting increasingly complex, going from 1-60 to 70 to 80, and going from easy to understand numbers to ratings, gems, glyphs, enchants, etc. They have been very good at responding to customers so far, but it would be easy to misstep and release a very buggy patch/expansion, make the game too complex/hard for average people, etc.

Their big achilles heel is the slow content creation - right now there is little real competition in the MMO space, and has remained that way for the past 8 years. If Mythic can build up Warhammer to a good competitor, and Bioware can deliver with their Star Wars MMO, we shall see.

[Prepared]

Ok, so from what information has been disclosed regarding D3 it's just a multiplayer hack and slash like D2/D1. While it's definitely going to be a fun game...there is no persistent world, it's not an MMO. It's just a fun multiplayer game. Addicted MMO players do not jump ship from their current MMO every time a new non-mmo game is released

This is exactly right which is why Diablo 3 will not be a subscription based game.

[Ishar]

Actually, even if D3 was a MMO and subscription based, players going from WoW to D3 would be a win from blizzards POV. Competing with yourself, by nature, doesn't really hurt you. (Eg, if blizzard kills wow, blizzard still wins. Blizzard only loses if some other company kills wow). In fact, they could even make more money off the WoW to D3 people by offering a blizzard pass a la sony.

While its a loss for bragging rights...it doesnt really matter from the bottom line point of view.

I personally doubt any MMO in existence will fail while it is still remotely profitable to run servers. Look at EQ. Or UO. Or simutronic's GS3 and Dragonrealms ('http://www.play.net/dr/'). (Not exactly MMO's, but they are subscription based online games that predate UO. Text based, kinda like a MUD but on a much larger scale and more elaborate. And still exist. I played DR not too long ago...Some of the people i knew there still play, and i quit before EQ came out.) Blizzard might decide to shut down wow due to personal integrity....but I doubt it. Most likely patches and stuff will just space out and servers will start to merge.

Additionally, part of the reason (whether anyone admits it or not) for raising level caps is that it forces people (or atleast, encourages) them to move into new areas. Why hang out in outland if the level cap is still 60? Gear maybe. Or Risk vs. Reward...

[Tasty]

Why will WoW continue to dominate? MMORPG's like it a bit rough :P

[Fleecy]

Ok, so from what information has been disclosed regarding D3 it's just a multiplayer hack and slash like D2/D1. While it's definitely going to be a fun game...there is no persistent world, it's not an MMO. It's just a fun multiplayer game. Addicted MMO players do not jump ship from their current MMO every time a new non-mmo game is releasedI agree, Diablo 3 is not subscription-based, nor is it an MMO - from the information available so far. Even while I'm playing other games I'm still subscribed to WoW, I was still subscribed to WoW when the game was released and when dungeons and Dragons was released.

[Fleecy]

Why will WoW continue to dominate? MMORPG's like it a bit rough :PYou don't have to dominate like it rough you can also be a sub :)

[Alienenduro]

I think people so desperately want a game better than wow but it just isn’t happening. WoW is great, easy to setup and play from the get go. Ive played EQ, EQ2, EvE, DAoC, AoC, AO and a few others but WoW is the one that keeps me playing. I do really enjoy EQ2 but none of my friends play it anymore they are all on WoW. I cant see myself leaving WoW for a long time. Maybe the WoW beater will be another MMO from Blizzard?

[Jheusse]

I see Blizzard looking forward to having WoW and D3 side by side, their overall bottom line and market share improves with them both in the market.

Blizzard will have more paying customers with them both on the market. Sure some people will leave WoW for D3, but I'm going to guess they'll be offset by a larger number of people who will play both. D3 and WoW are different enough that I expect players will be able to justify both costs to themselves. This is particularly relevant since D3 will not be an MMO, most MMO players stick to one MMO at a time for the bulk of their MMO playing. I'm planning on buying D3 and continuing to play WoW. I might drop a few of my MB accounts, I dunno.

Blizzard will also be smart enough to set up cross promotions between the two franchises, whether it's a discount of a bundle or a free trial or what have you. That way fans of one of the franchises who have never gotten into the other get a "gateway drug" to give it a try.

Blizzard's success with WoW I attribute to a few things, mostly already mentioned:
1- Can be played on an extremely broad range of computers.
2- The lore built up through the previous games.
3- Blizzard has built a careful reputation that "there will be no wine before it's time", they've moved their ship dates to assure quality in the past, many gamers simply trust them that they won't release a game that doesn't rock, and will be patient with a ship date change because of that trust.
4- The game itself is very complex and very deep to master, but they have done a very good job of making the early game accessible to Joe Schmoe. You can fire up the game and start killing very easily. New blood is the critical factor in any endeavor's survival, and Blizzard has done an excellent job in making the game accessible.

[Nitro]

I don't know about you guys, but when I start a subscription for another game, I'll still play wow too, I won't stop playing it lol. It's not impossible to play two games in the same period, switching between them as you get a little bored of one.

I see blizzard offering a package sub for d3 and wow.

As for the wow dominance I think quite a few pvpers will eventually quit wow for darkfall online.

Darkfall Online is pure vapor, wont ever release. If by some miracle chance it does it will be a worse wreak than AoC.

[elo]

I see Blizzard looking forward to having WoW and D3 side by side, their overall bottom line and market share improves with them both in the market.

Blizzard will have more paying customers with them both on the market. Sure some people will leave WoW for D3, but I'm going to guess they'll be offset by a larger number of people who will play both. D3 and WoW are different enough that I expect players will be able to justify both costs to themselves. This is particularly relevant since D3 will not be an MMO, most MMO players stick to one MMO at a time for the bulk of their MMO playing. I'm planning on buying D3 and continuing to play WoW. I might drop a few of my MB accounts, I dunno.

Blizzard will also be smart enough to set up cross promotions between the two franchises, whether it's a discount of a bundle or a free trial or what have you. That way fans of one of the franchises who have never gotten into the other get a "gateway drug" to give it a try.

Blizzard's success with WoW I attribute to a few things, mostly already mentioned:
1- Can be played on an extremely broad range of computers.
2- The lore built up through the previous games.
3- Blizzard has built a careful reputation that "there will be no wine before it's time", they've moved their ship dates to assure quality in the past, many gamers simply trust them that they won't release a game that doesn't rock, and will be patient with a ship date change because of that trust.
4- The game itself is very complex and very deep to master, but they have done a very good job of making the early game accessible to Joe Schmoe. You can fire up the game and start killing very easily. New blood is the critical factor in any endeavor's survival, and Blizzard has done an excellent job in making the game accessible.I'd like to 2nd point 4. I was over at a friend's house last weekend and his wife was playing and I noticed what god-awful gear she has. She's been playing for over 2 years now and her main has never set foot into a heroic/raid and has done very few of the level 70's dungeons. Still though she feels like she has plenty to do and loves to play. Now that's just one person but then I look at an old guild I was in. I hopped into their vent last weekend and was listening to them going through normal slave pens with a full group of 70's.... Naturally my first thought was 'pathetic' but these people were still enjoying the game even at this level. Their whole guild is like that. Sure some of them do Kara and they've tip-toed into a few other raids but still they all somehow find enjoyment on a daily basis just running around and being in the WoW world. Amazing.

[Nisch]

I've played most big name MMO's from UO and EQ all the way to WoW and AoC.

I find it amazing how many people playing WoW haven't heard of any of the big MMO's from past days.

When I say things like "Yeah I was playing DAOC"

The common response is "WTF is that?"

That just shows that Blizzard has done a good job at immersing players into the game of WoW so much that it blinds them to everything else out there.

I personally don't find WoW the best, but it is certainly one of the better ones.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

That just shows that Blizzard has done a good job at immersing players into the game of WoW so much that it blinds them to everything else out there.

I don't quite grok your point, here. Are you suggesting that people can "shop" for MMOs? Not sure about you but a lot of people I know have no clue that Everquest or DAoC or AC or any of the others even exist. They heard of WoW through word of mouth or online articles, got started and are loving it. These are folks that don't know what an MMO is, or that WoW is an MMO. They just heard of this game called WoW and started playing and enjoy the hell out of it.

It's nothing more complicated than that. I swear, some of you just try to find reasons to belittle folks that enjoy WoW (or other games) as is, even with (or in spite of) known flaws. Comes across as unhealthy, IMO.

[Nisch]

That just shows that Blizzard has done a good job at immersing players into the game of WoW so much that it blinds them to everything else out there.

I don't quite grok your point, here. Are you suggesting that people can "shop" for MMOs? Not sure about you but a lot of people I know have no clue that Everquest or DAoC or AC or any of the others even exist. They heard of WoW through word of mouth or online articles, got started and are loving it. These are folks that don't know what an MMO is, or that WoW is an MMO. They just heard of this game called WoW and started playing and enjoy the hell out of it.

It's nothing more complicated than that. I swear, some of you just try to find reasons to belittle folks that enjoy WoW (or other games) as is, even with (or in spite of) known flaws. Comes across as unhealthy, IMO.

How exactly was I belitting anyone??

I basically said that Blizzard has done a good job at keep peoples' interests. By keeping people interested, people don't feel the need to see what else is out there. That's human nature.

I fail to see how that is belittling anyone.

And you can't tell me that when WoW loses it's momentum that players won't try to find a new one, or "shop" as you put it??

I don''t see that as belittling either.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Apparently, I fail at communication. I should have hit the enter key after "It's nothing more complicated than that," as the second part wasn't really directed at your post.

Regarding the first part, I was offering the perspective that a very large number of people aren't "blinded" to other options because they have no idea that other options even exist and didn't know that other options existed even _before_ WoW. :P If they started not liking WoW, they'd go back to Zelda or Wii or adventure games or something.

[entoptic]

I feel you are all missing the big thing here.

WoW attraction is not only its ease of play but the fact that it is the first MMO to go mainstream. Everyone plays it because it appears to a larger audience then your average video game nerd.

They could poop in a box and if they market it well then it will sell.

Everywhere you look its WoW WoW WoW.

That alone makes the game huge. China has coke cans with WoW on it.

There are commercials for it as well.

Are any other MMO's doing anything remotely close to it?

All other MMO's in the past and in the future have/had small companies creating them which don't understand how to appeal to a large audience.

Look at all the games in the past. UO was huge cause not only was it the first but they had a base of games out before UO which grabbed a lot of users.

Blizzard had a huge fan base before WoW was even thought up.

The real reason WoW is huge and the rest aren't is money and marketing. they are the first to take a MMO and make it something bigger then a video game.

WoW is a culture that continues to bring in the masses. They made it big bizness while the rest went for chump change.

It's totally exceptable in the mainstream world to rock WoW shirts and hats.