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Next Blizzard MMO may not compete with World of Warcraft photo

It’s no secret that Blizzard Entertainment is crafting another MMO. The studio isn’t commenting on what it is or when it’s hitting of course, but the fact that they are treading on their own territory raises a few questions. World of Warcraft is still ridiculous popular, and it’s hard to believe players will abandon the title. So, is Blizzard worried their forthcoming MMO will compete with it?

No, not really. They’re thinking co-existence is possible. Speaking to Wired, Blizzard COO Paul Sams explained that Blizzard intends to “create a game experience that is unlike anything that has ever been done before,” that could live in the same space as their other title. It’s brainstorming at this stage, but Sams shared his thoughts.

“These are brainstorming types of conversations because we anticipate the question, and we’re concerned about it,” Sams said. “Is it going to cannibalize or not? And the good news is, I think the game is going to be significantly differentiated enough. Such that, you’re not going to feel like they’re one in the same resulting in that you have to pick or choose. My feeling is that they’re distinct enough to where you’re going to say, ‘Okay, I have all my friends over here. I dig this, I have a lot of time and energy in this, I’ve got these characters and my guild, and this that and the other.’ So I have connectivity there, and I want to continue that connectivity. But man, I think, ‘Well, this is awesome, and I want to go check this out too.’

One thing is for certain: this next MMO could be fascinating. The idea of it being free-to-play has been floated around long enough to make us stop and consider, but even if it wasn’t, it’s obvious that Blizzard is willing to do more than simply make it free. Perhaps we’ll see some sort of interconnectedness between the two? We'll see ... possibly.

The next Blizzard MMO hits retail in January, 3031 (the Year of our Great Martian Lord).


Continue: More World of Warcraft stories





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14 comments | showing # 1 to 14

Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:05
Magnalon
This is an obvious, good business practice. I don't see WoW saturating for another 4-5 years.

I can see a "super hardcore raid only" MMO, an economically driven MMO (Eve) a PVP MMO, or a completely different setting (futuristic). Something drastically different, and caters to WoW's biggest demographic. There's no need to make a casual MMO, because they're already making strides towards WoW being for both pros and casuals.
Velt's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:11
Velt
Well, so much juice they can take from the current wow engine.
Cartman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:19
Cartman
Theres actually a helluva lot of directions an MMO can go in, and Blizzard is one of the best. Excited to see what they'll come up with.
CaptainBus's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:21
CaptainBus
Someone might want to wheel out Captain Obvious here, but are we possibly talking about "World of Starcraft"?
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:22
Magnalon
@Captain
I still maintain that it's a Starcraft universe spin off.

However, Blizzard has officially said "it's a new IP" like a hundred times. I don't believe them ;D
Phantom Spaceman's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:27
Phantom Spaceman
...Blizzard intends to “create a game experience that is unlike anything that has ever been done before,”...

"I need 8 hydralisk mandibles! Go!"
Doomsday Forte's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 09:42
Doomsday Forte
I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that Blizzard isn't even worried about losing WoW players to SC2 or D3 because, after all, you're giving your money to the same people. =P

World of Starcraft would be amusing, though I still wouldn't shell out money a month to play it.
Kagasumi's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 10:41
Kagasumi
I have a loose idea of what they might be making. I think it is going to be more than just an MMO, like the MMOs we've seen in the past. I think they are going to push the levels of social interaction, immersion. I don't think it will entirely feel seperate from their other products, especially through Battle.net .
Wexx's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 11:31
Wexx
Hopefully we see more emergent gameplay from it.
RestingSound's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 12:08
RestingSound
The only way Blizzard can reasonable say that creating a new top tier MMO won't draw users away from WoW is if their research shows most people will forget to unsubscribe from WoW when they move to this new game.

Its only a matter of time before a new MMO overtakes WoW and Blizzard knows this, they are just waiting for the right time to step up and be that new MMO.

Sure people like their friends and being the highest levels in WoW but that is nothing compared to the excitement of being the first to be a high level in a new game. The only reason other games don't draw users is because people don't trust them not to suck. I don't think Guilds will be as static as they were back in the Everquest days.
sexycommando's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 12:16
sexycommando
Free to play? Yeah right. Activision will not allow it.
rel123's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 12:30
rel123
Free to play (usually) == Shit to play

I am willing to pay $15 a month for a good game.
Anifanatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/01/2009 16:34
Anifanatic
Exclusive!
It's going to be a Three Vikings MMO! Team based platformer like you've never seen! Also, they're going to make a Rock and Roll Racing MMO, fuck yeah.
GunSlap's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/02/2009 07:45
GunSlap
If it is not free to play they should at lest offer a discounted price to people who play it as well as WOW. That would be intense if I do say so myself. (NOTE: I DO say so myself if you were wondering).
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