Yesterday we told you that Activision boss Bobby Kotick said that even one billion dollars in development for a new MMO couldn't take over World of Warcraft. Now, Lars Buttler, formerly the VP of for Global Online at Electronic Arts and currently the CEO and co-founder of Trion World Network, would like Kotick to get his pinky out of his mouth.
"Nice try Mr. Kotick. We understand that Activision has to defend its merger and scare competition - but I have to call his bluff," Buttler told GameDaily. We couldn't be more impressed with what Blizzard has started but WoW is just the beginning; it's pretty wild to suggest that there's only one team that could ever realize the potential of the connected era - and that there's no one out there that can deliver, no matter what the investment."
Buttler's feelings are right in line with many of Destructoid's readers in yesterday's post. Not surprising.
He continues, "They are truly a great team but there are other great teams out there who will make smart decisions, leverage the full advantage of connectivity and define the future of interactive entertainment."
Even though Trion doesn't have much to show at this time, Buttler has no problems calling ActiBlizzard and Kotick out: "Our message to developers and gamers alike is: there's been a paradigm shift everyone; join the party! We would go so far as to say: if you disagree with Mr. Kotick, call us!"
Wouldn't that be nifty if whatever Trion is working on turns out to be the WoW killer?
[Thanks, JB]
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They gunna putt he stink on them folks?
Ugh. I hope the term WoW Killer doesn't become a buzz word.
A well executed concept does not cost a billion dollars.
I think the game that beats WoW will be simple, runs in a browser, and emphasizes socialness over epics/rep grinding.
Hopefully someone will step up and do it.
Someone could make a game better than WoW. I completely agree. But as of right now WoW is the best MMO out there. If a game comes out that is better, you better believe it that I would switch games. Warhammer Online is looking to be the game that makes me switch, but I also felt the same way about Lord of the Rings Online... and that didnt happen
casualweaponry and I are on the same page, on all points.
WoW definitely is the best MMO out there. But throwing money at a project does not equal it being a good title. This is true for very nearly anything in the entertainment business.
The Fallout MMO can do this. Warhammer can do this. I see this as just another example of how Blizzard is being flushed down the drain as we speak. Pointless content that will be majorly unviewable to the majority of the MMO populace that plays the game. They continue to make content that a very very small percentage of people will see, all while making the game more difficult - and making the gap between normal and high end that much wider.
They are becoming an extremely cocky company, and one that has become slower than ever at releasing new items. They are in a competition of pushing content to appease the watching crowd. And as of the moment, they find they are so far ahead that they can just stand around and pose for the cameras, worried more about image than they are being quality, humble and number one. Right now, they are just seeming to be in it for the money.
So it doesn't take 1 billion to overthrow Warcraft. The money is usually negligent. All that needs put in is quality.
And on that quality, I shun Blizzard every time they cite themselves as creators of the entire Warcraft line. Anyone who has researched it knows that Warcraft would not have existed if it were not for Warhammer. And this reflects to an extreme, especially in concept images. The art style of warcraft was directly taken from Warhammer. And Starcraft the same from Warhammer 40k... So what matters more when making a quality game? Making a concept that people did not think about before, that wasn't stolen from another company... Or just a lot of money for slow content, new expansions/WoW with incomplete release content, predictable storyline and developers constantly going back on their word?
Its going to take one hell of a MMORPG to beat WoW. They somehow managed to capture the "casual" gamer and even the non-gamer audience with their conquest of the MMORPG Market.
And its not anything new really...WoW felt rather similar to EQ and a bit of Ultima Online mixed with it. Take that and add in the Warcraft namesake and you got yourself a solid fanbase.
So whoever makes the next big MMORPG needs a name or series that can help launch the game and something totally new and awesome to turn people from WoW.
I remember when Everquest was the game which kicked the crap out of every other MMO which arrived at the same time. But now EQ and EQII relegated as part of the MMO group that couldn't compete with WoW. I can see the same happening when it comes to WoW. Sooner or later another dev team and publisher will come up with an MMOG which could compete with WoW, hold their own and win.
@Tull
You're right but EQ just got too old and EQ2 just seemed like they got a group of 14 year old LOTR fans and had them design the game. I would still rather play EQ if the servers were still well populated and the grahpics got a better tweaking.
Anyone think Spore will come close to challenging WoW???
Honestly, "<blank> killer" dooms any game the label is put on, just shutup with all the bs PR spin and put all that money into development of a good game, do your research, it shouldn't be difficult if you know your audience
I've never gotten into an MMORPG, but a Shadowrun MMORPG could get me to take the plunge. However, I completely agree with casualweaponry.
Kingdom of Loathing has had WoW beat in my mind for a while now, and that costs, oh, NOTHING.
Seriously, though, put together a good story, good gameplay, a good interface, and make it worth people's time. That's how you beat WoW. Also, stop trying to be like WoW. You don't beat Mario by making a game about a Spanish electrician called Super Pedro Brothers.
I have never found ONE mmorpg that I liked. Not ONE. They are all the same!! Click on a foe, defeat it, click here, click there, wear your thumb to a stub, get false rewards such as super mega death glow fire magic sword. I'm tired and this porbably doesn't make sense because of it but I believe I've made my point clear enough
I side with orao here; put some better gameplay in an MMO and I'll gladly play with people.