Post by Zeli on Oct 13, 2006 11:10:18 GMT -5
source: home.nestor.minsk.by/game/news/2006/10/1317.html
What's Up Next for EA Mythic?
by Dana Massey, MMORPG.COM
Editorial by MMORPG.com Senior Editor Dana Massey
10.13.06 No one will deny that Electronic Arts has a less than stellar reputation in MMO circles. Two of their games - Earth and Beyond and Motor City Online - have died after launch. The Sims Online, an idea that could have broken new ground in the MMO-space is at best a niche product and Ultima Online was changed in many ways, not all for the better, after they purchased Origin. Thus, when they scooped up Mythic Entertainment earlier this year, the deal was met with some understandable skepticism.
To date, it seems like EA may have understood their mistakes. They've set the newly dubbed EA Mythic up as the head of their MMO operations. Both their surviving MMOGs, along with the current and upcoming Mythic games report through a single structure overseen by people who have had great success in this industry. The earliest indications seem to show that perhaps Electronic Arts has learned a lesson.
EA is not, however, a small company with finite ambitions. It is only logical to assume that while Warhammer Online may look like it has the makings of being a big hit, they are not going to rest all their MMO hopes on one potential star and two aging veterans. One has to ask then, what else might they be working on?
Given they have been working to bring The Sims Online and Ultima Online more closely into the EA Mythic hierarchy, it seems illogical to guess that they'd start a game outside that structure. It follows then that EA Mythic will be the studio that creates the next big MMORPG for the Electronic Arts empire. Like them or hate them, EA provides Mythic with a wealth of new options in the MMO space. They own a lot of IPs and have the muscle to secure new ones. So, let us engage in some speculation about what else they could be working on.
To be clear, this article is based entirely on my own chain of logic and ideas. There is no guarantee that EA Mythic will start a second project, let alone one of the games on this list.
Ultima Online II
This has been tried several times, but never has the much rumored and anticipated sequel to one of the most beloved MMOs ever made become a reality. The original title has survived the test of time and despite its 2D isometric view and the dozens of games that followed in its footsteps, it still ranks among the largest MMORPGs - in terms of subscribers - on the market.
Unlike most other MMO sequels, there is a real chance to differentiate the two products. A fully 3D game, using cutting edge technology, but set in the world of Ultima could provide a radically different experience than the original product. Given its age, UO cannot possibly hope to compete with the new games. The best case scenario is that UO retains as many of its subscribers for as long as possible. By now, all that is left is the hardcore. Yet, when you consider that a good chunk of MMO players today probably tried UO at some point, the potential for UO2 seems huge.
The downside is that Ultima is an IP familiar only to MMO players and gaming veterans. Nothing has been done in that space for years and it is not a brand likely to draw new gamers into pay-to-play online gaming. Ask the average person on the street what Ultima is and you'll receive a blank look. That said, the same probably could have been said about WarCraft a few years ago.
With the muscle of EA, the talent of Mythic and the need for a top flight, skill-based MMORPG, there is no denying that Ultima Online II may be the top candidate for a new EA Mythic project.
Harry Potter Online
Electronic Arts already has the licenses sewn up for the single-player games, so it does not seem impossible that they'd travel down that road for their next online project. The books have done a masterful job of aging with their audience and now a good number of the original Harry Potter fans are old enough to wield credit cards. It may be time to put them to good use.
There have even been images floating around the web for art from something marked as a Harry Potter MMOG. Does that prove anything? Hardly, but it is definitely interesting.
The big question would be, how would it work and how do you make a game that is accessible to both the younger and older fans of the series without alienating either one? Those are some tall design tasks, but I would hardly call having a game that people of all ages want to play a problem.
Like most singular story IP products, there is still the flaw that everyone wants to be Harry. This is a challenge no one has quite fully cleared yet, but there is no way that with an IP this big someone won't eventually give it a try. Unlike UO2, a Hogwarts or Harry Potter MMOG has the potential to create new gamers and expand the market far beyond what Blizzard has done. It's a risky scenario, EA showed with The Sims Online that single-player or non-gamer sales do not equal MMORPG-subscriptions, but it may well be a risk that they have to take.
An Original IP
The beauty of an original IP is that you can tailor it to whatever market you want and find whatever hole within the MMO tapestry to situate that product. For game designers, this is a great way to do something. You don't have to deal with licensing boards and if the story doesn't fit… change it.
The downside is, you need to build an IP out of whatever you're doing and that's harder to sell to the average kid in EB.
In the interests of breadth, it may make sense to follow a big licensed game (Warhammer) with an original product. I'd rank this as the third most likely scenario after Harry Potter and Ultima Online II.
Earth and Beyond: The Return
They own it. People want it. EVE is begging for a competitor. Earth and Beyond coming back online, whether it simply be the original game updated or a whole new product in that universe, might be an inexpensive bet for the EA Mythic crew to make. On the other hand, who wants to come storming out of the gate on the shoulders of a failed project?
I would hardly be surprised if a space-based MMORPG in the style of E&B or EVE comes flying our way from Electronic Arts in the next few years, but I cannot see Earth & Beyond being the bearer of such a game. As much as a loyal few love the title, it failed on a commercial scale that Electronic Arts does not expect from its projects. You remake hits, not failures.
Dark Age of Camelot II
As I said above, success breeds sequels, not failure. Thus, why not update the game that made Mythic famous? It is five years old and in many ways finding it harder to compete with the new breed of MMORPGs. Unfortunately, it might be like cutting off your nose to spite your face. SOE showed that it is not always the safest thing to make a sequel to your own MMO project. Unlike movies and books, MMORPGs can continue to be sampled for years to come. Plus, Mythic has always in the past fiercely denied any desire to do a Dark Age of Camelot sequel.
Then, why did I argue that UO2 seemed like such a good idea? Well, Dark Age of Camelot, for all its years, is still a fully 3D MMORPG experience. Like EQ, it would be hard to instantly see the difference between the original and its sequel. Less people are likely leaving DAoC for the sole reason that the graphics and technology are outdated. The same cannot likely be said for Ultima Online.
At this stage, a Dark Age of Camelot sequel would likely not feel like more than a fresh coat of paint. There is only so much you can do without alienating your original fans and chasing new ones with an IP that didn't get them in the first place is risky at best. Plus, Mythic has always said it was a bad idea. No Dark Age of Camelot II, at least not yet.
A Huge Movie Tie-In MMOG
There has been a lot of talk of people like Peter Jackson and James Cameron being interested in gaming and MMOs. Eventually, someone is going to try and pull off the MMORPG/Movie at the same time. It's a huge undertaking and to do it with any great success will require a veteran game studio, a lot of money and very understanding movie producers. EA and Mythic have two of those three things checked off.
Imperator Online
Mythic tried it before, but decided that the project hadn't progressed as they'd liked and canned it. It was refreshing to see a game company take a project that had some hype and following, but ultimately wouldn't have lived up to their idea of what a Mythic game should have been, and cancel it. It didn't work for them then and I don't see it working for them now.
The story, while interesting, is a bit wacky for many to swallow. For those that do not remember, Imperator was set in an alternate version of history, several hundred years beyond today. In that world Rome never fell and the Romans - you - were locked in a bitter struggle with the Mayans - who also never fell - across the galaxies. It provided a unique, stylized, land-based sci-fi experience, but ultimately, most people couldn't quite get their head around it.
EA Mythic General Manager - then the CEO of Mythic - Mark Jacobs, who created the original game, wouldn't rule out its return. However, given the wealth of assets EA provides them, why would they want to go back to such a concept? One of the allures for Imperator is that Rome, like Camelot, does not require a costly and restrictive license. Setting in the future simply keeps it from stepping on Dark Age of Camelot's toes. It had the niche to compete with Star Wars Galaxies and the IP to do whatever they wanted for free. Circumstances are much different now. I think it is a safe bet to say Imperator is dead.
Lord of the Rings Online: Movie MMO Edition
They own the license, so in theory, they could do it. That said, I could see a wealth of lawsuits if they tried and, honestly, the only way it could work is if Turbine utterly fails with their game. And if they do, why would you want to follow them with a similar project? Plus, the movie license is not nearly as conducive to an MMORPG as the book license is. I cannot see this working.
Motor City Online: The Return
Don't count on it. Just like E&B, success breeds sequels, not failure. Plus, they also have the example of Auto Assault to tell them that perhaps people just don't enjoy online car games. Plus, I don't see much of a public outcry for this title.
There are hundreds of IPs in bank over at Electronic Arts and hundreds more that they could get their hands on. MMORPGs are interesting beasts, but I cannot believe EA and EA Mythic will sit still for long and just hope that Warhammer is a smash hit. I'd expect that within a year we'll hear what the answer to this question is. Until then, it will be fun to try and guess. Let us know what you think it might be - if anything - in the comment thread below.
source :: computing news press service
by Dana Massey, MMORPG.COM
Editorial by MMORPG.com Senior Editor Dana Massey
10.13.06 No one will deny that Electronic Arts has a less than stellar reputation in MMO circles. Two of their games - Earth and Beyond and Motor City Online - have died after launch. The Sims Online, an idea that could have broken new ground in the MMO-space is at best a niche product and Ultima Online was changed in many ways, not all for the better, after they purchased Origin. Thus, when they scooped up Mythic Entertainment earlier this year, the deal was met with some understandable skepticism.
To date, it seems like EA may have understood their mistakes. They've set the newly dubbed EA Mythic up as the head of their MMO operations. Both their surviving MMOGs, along with the current and upcoming Mythic games report through a single structure overseen by people who have had great success in this industry. The earliest indications seem to show that perhaps Electronic Arts has learned a lesson.
EA is not, however, a small company with finite ambitions. It is only logical to assume that while Warhammer Online may look like it has the makings of being a big hit, they are not going to rest all their MMO hopes on one potential star and two aging veterans. One has to ask then, what else might they be working on?
Given they have been working to bring The Sims Online and Ultima Online more closely into the EA Mythic hierarchy, it seems illogical to guess that they'd start a game outside that structure. It follows then that EA Mythic will be the studio that creates the next big MMORPG for the Electronic Arts empire. Like them or hate them, EA provides Mythic with a wealth of new options in the MMO space. They own a lot of IPs and have the muscle to secure new ones. So, let us engage in some speculation about what else they could be working on.
To be clear, this article is based entirely on my own chain of logic and ideas. There is no guarantee that EA Mythic will start a second project, let alone one of the games on this list.
Ultima Online II
This has been tried several times, but never has the much rumored and anticipated sequel to one of the most beloved MMOs ever made become a reality. The original title has survived the test of time and despite its 2D isometric view and the dozens of games that followed in its footsteps, it still ranks among the largest MMORPGs - in terms of subscribers - on the market.
Unlike most other MMO sequels, there is a real chance to differentiate the two products. A fully 3D game, using cutting edge technology, but set in the world of Ultima could provide a radically different experience than the original product. Given its age, UO cannot possibly hope to compete with the new games. The best case scenario is that UO retains as many of its subscribers for as long as possible. By now, all that is left is the hardcore. Yet, when you consider that a good chunk of MMO players today probably tried UO at some point, the potential for UO2 seems huge.
The downside is that Ultima is an IP familiar only to MMO players and gaming veterans. Nothing has been done in that space for years and it is not a brand likely to draw new gamers into pay-to-play online gaming. Ask the average person on the street what Ultima is and you'll receive a blank look. That said, the same probably could have been said about WarCraft a few years ago.
With the muscle of EA, the talent of Mythic and the need for a top flight, skill-based MMORPG, there is no denying that Ultima Online II may be the top candidate for a new EA Mythic project.
Harry Potter Online
Electronic Arts already has the licenses sewn up for the single-player games, so it does not seem impossible that they'd travel down that road for their next online project. The books have done a masterful job of aging with their audience and now a good number of the original Harry Potter fans are old enough to wield credit cards. It may be time to put them to good use.
There have even been images floating around the web for art from something marked as a Harry Potter MMOG. Does that prove anything? Hardly, but it is definitely interesting.
The big question would be, how would it work and how do you make a game that is accessible to both the younger and older fans of the series without alienating either one? Those are some tall design tasks, but I would hardly call having a game that people of all ages want to play a problem.
Like most singular story IP products, there is still the flaw that everyone wants to be Harry. This is a challenge no one has quite fully cleared yet, but there is no way that with an IP this big someone won't eventually give it a try. Unlike UO2, a Hogwarts or Harry Potter MMOG has the potential to create new gamers and expand the market far beyond what Blizzard has done. It's a risky scenario, EA showed with The Sims Online that single-player or non-gamer sales do not equal MMORPG-subscriptions, but it may well be a risk that they have to take.
An Original IP
The beauty of an original IP is that you can tailor it to whatever market you want and find whatever hole within the MMO tapestry to situate that product. For game designers, this is a great way to do something. You don't have to deal with licensing boards and if the story doesn't fit… change it.
The downside is, you need to build an IP out of whatever you're doing and that's harder to sell to the average kid in EB.
In the interests of breadth, it may make sense to follow a big licensed game (Warhammer) with an original product. I'd rank this as the third most likely scenario after Harry Potter and Ultima Online II.
Earth and Beyond: The Return
They own it. People want it. EVE is begging for a competitor. Earth and Beyond coming back online, whether it simply be the original game updated or a whole new product in that universe, might be an inexpensive bet for the EA Mythic crew to make. On the other hand, who wants to come storming out of the gate on the shoulders of a failed project?
I would hardly be surprised if a space-based MMORPG in the style of E&B or EVE comes flying our way from Electronic Arts in the next few years, but I cannot see Earth & Beyond being the bearer of such a game. As much as a loyal few love the title, it failed on a commercial scale that Electronic Arts does not expect from its projects. You remake hits, not failures.
Dark Age of Camelot II
As I said above, success breeds sequels, not failure. Thus, why not update the game that made Mythic famous? It is five years old and in many ways finding it harder to compete with the new breed of MMORPGs. Unfortunately, it might be like cutting off your nose to spite your face. SOE showed that it is not always the safest thing to make a sequel to your own MMO project. Unlike movies and books, MMORPGs can continue to be sampled for years to come. Plus, Mythic has always in the past fiercely denied any desire to do a Dark Age of Camelot sequel.
Then, why did I argue that UO2 seemed like such a good idea? Well, Dark Age of Camelot, for all its years, is still a fully 3D MMORPG experience. Like EQ, it would be hard to instantly see the difference between the original and its sequel. Less people are likely leaving DAoC for the sole reason that the graphics and technology are outdated. The same cannot likely be said for Ultima Online.
At this stage, a Dark Age of Camelot sequel would likely not feel like more than a fresh coat of paint. There is only so much you can do without alienating your original fans and chasing new ones with an IP that didn't get them in the first place is risky at best. Plus, Mythic has always said it was a bad idea. No Dark Age of Camelot II, at least not yet.
A Huge Movie Tie-In MMOG
There has been a lot of talk of people like Peter Jackson and James Cameron being interested in gaming and MMOs. Eventually, someone is going to try and pull off the MMORPG/Movie at the same time. It's a huge undertaking and to do it with any great success will require a veteran game studio, a lot of money and very understanding movie producers. EA and Mythic have two of those three things checked off.
Imperator Online
Mythic tried it before, but decided that the project hadn't progressed as they'd liked and canned it. It was refreshing to see a game company take a project that had some hype and following, but ultimately wouldn't have lived up to their idea of what a Mythic game should have been, and cancel it. It didn't work for them then and I don't see it working for them now.
The story, while interesting, is a bit wacky for many to swallow. For those that do not remember, Imperator was set in an alternate version of history, several hundred years beyond today. In that world Rome never fell and the Romans - you - were locked in a bitter struggle with the Mayans - who also never fell - across the galaxies. It provided a unique, stylized, land-based sci-fi experience, but ultimately, most people couldn't quite get their head around it.
EA Mythic General Manager - then the CEO of Mythic - Mark Jacobs, who created the original game, wouldn't rule out its return. However, given the wealth of assets EA provides them, why would they want to go back to such a concept? One of the allures for Imperator is that Rome, like Camelot, does not require a costly and restrictive license. Setting in the future simply keeps it from stepping on Dark Age of Camelot's toes. It had the niche to compete with Star Wars Galaxies and the IP to do whatever they wanted for free. Circumstances are much different now. I think it is a safe bet to say Imperator is dead.
Lord of the Rings Online: Movie MMO Edition
They own the license, so in theory, they could do it. That said, I could see a wealth of lawsuits if they tried and, honestly, the only way it could work is if Turbine utterly fails with their game. And if they do, why would you want to follow them with a similar project? Plus, the movie license is not nearly as conducive to an MMORPG as the book license is. I cannot see this working.
Motor City Online: The Return
Don't count on it. Just like E&B, success breeds sequels, not failure. Plus, they also have the example of Auto Assault to tell them that perhaps people just don't enjoy online car games. Plus, I don't see much of a public outcry for this title.
There are hundreds of IPs in bank over at Electronic Arts and hundreds more that they could get their hands on. MMORPGs are interesting beasts, but I cannot believe EA and EA Mythic will sit still for long and just hope that Warhammer is a smash hit. I'd expect that within a year we'll hear what the answer to this question is. Until then, it will be fun to try and guess. Let us know what you think it might be - if anything - in the comment thread below.
source :: computing news press service
