I think the Muit-Box community is larger them most believe.
I believe there is a large portion of players that would do it, but don’t, because of complexities.

Can Multi-Box be a built in feature?
You log in an account, then from inside the game you log in additional characters. You control the characters all running in a single process.

I think the answer depends on two issues, additional revenue, and technical.

Typically, if a new feature can generate (or retain) enough revenue it will be implemented. Simply put, if a company can make enough money on it, they will figure a way around technical issues.

How much additional revenue would Blizzard require to consider implementing an in game Multi-Box feature?
Each player that moves from a single box to a 5 box would generate the following additional revenue - $1,040* first year / $660 each year after.
Players that move from a single box to 2 box would generate $210* / $150.
(* counting software sales)

If 1% of the player base (8 mill ?) decided to multi box 2 accounts Blizzard would be looking at additional revenue in excess of $12m annually, plus an instant 4.8m in software sales. This only includes players using 2 accounts, if 5% of that base (.05 of total player base) 5 box, that would generate an addition $4m annually for a total of $16m additional annual revenue.

Technical – Can it be done?
I think this depends on requirements. There is a vast range of how this could be implemented. If all characters occupy the same position it may make things easier.
If all characters are locked in movement, that too could simplify the technical requirements. Basically, you are getting abilities of the additional characters you log in, but still only using a single camera view.
If the technical requirements are keep low, then I think the current architecture could support the feature. It wouldn’t be easy, but I don’t think it’s impossible.


I guess the first thing that would need to be done is get voice of customer to determine interest in such a feature. Any ideas on how we could do this? I was thinking Blizz Con, or maybe start out with the official forums?