MMORPG Article @ Gamer’s Voice

Gamer’s Voice has written up an article that takes a look at the current and future MMORPG market (including Dark Age of Camelot and Shadowbane), and essentially critisizes the developers for not producing something new and different from past MMORPGs. Here’s a taste:

The reality is that five companies are putting out almost the exact same game with only minor differences in packaging and game play — and making millions of dollars doing it. How is this, then, a renaissance in gaming? It is more like a dark age — creativity and innovation are replaced by poor customer service and the recycling of the same basic ideas over and over again. The old triumvirate of power HAS been destroyed, but instead of increased variety, we’re seeing a new trend of “jump from one game to the newest release, stay for a few months, then repeat the cycle when another MMORPG hits the market.” With so few unique features in each game, there is no real reason for most players to stay. Sadly, Wolfpack Studio’s soon to be released Shadowbane and Blizzard’s World of Warcraft, while both promising new innovations, appear to be on the same track — same basic game play, similar leveling systems, and just generally the same game we have seen before — with a few new advances. While, as a player, I hope someone does come up with an interesting NEW MMORPG that doesn’t borrow so heavily from the old ones, I’m not holding my breath.