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Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
Rob Wright
Published by Laethyn
08-08-2007
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Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
Source: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO | TwitchGuru
The most notable statement:
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The game will not be a typical MMO, and will feature a number of twists. Essentially, the game will use a serial novel or comic book approach by introducing new chapters of the overall story. "We are going to use an episodic model," Close said, "but it won't be exactly like the current episodic model. The games will be longer, deeper. Once one chapter of the story reaches critical mass, a new chapter will be released." Close didn't divulge how exactly the games will be released, but he did say that 38 Studios is considering all options and platforms, including consoles. "Ultimately, MMOs are going to become prevalent on the consoles," he said, "but how they're going to get there has yet to be determined."
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As someone who has been reading EVERY news article I can, there are certainly little tidbits that can be gleaned and put together that makes me feel nothing but excitement at how 38 Studios is going to do things.
One last thing: Need an experienced community manager? (read: Hire me.... PLEEEAAASEEEE  ) |
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
Thats an interesting idea. So essentially we really could see a melding of books and computer games. Much like the droves of people who waited outside book stores for the latest Harry Potter, we could all be lined up waiting to experience the latest chapter of our game. Now lets hope thats not all just a fancy way of disguising the traditional expansion model in new clothing.
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
I think it is a great idea as well. So long as it is not limiting in any way. ie releasing character level increases by chapter could really tick some people off. Getting to level x, then having to wait 4 months for the next chapter before you can start leveling would be EXTREMELY annoying. Enough that I would probably quit playing.
That said, if they do it for content only. Expanding the world episodically, like a novel, I think it could work extremely well.
All in all, an idea like this could go either way, just needs to be handled right.
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
I made the connection to Harry Potter elsewhere. This is just in reverse! 
People who don't play for content will get very bored with the unlocking thing, and they cause a lot of issues. Sigil kinda started with that idea and it backfired, but there were a lot of other issues, too. SoE did the same thing with their "progression" servers, and that was a pain. The power gamers ruined that for a bunch of people! 
Me? I don't care, cuz I am a very slow progressor. I take in everything I can, as long as it holds my interest. Still looking for that EQ feel I had. Vanguard is close, but the world needs to be a bit more alive, I think. Still a really good game, with all it's problems. Will be interesting to see how it all works out.
As for the Munch game.....can't wait to see how it pans out! Loads of possibilities there, and since Harry Potter is done, technically, there's an opening for another wave! |
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By
Naiya
on
08-08-2007, 11:57 PM
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
actually, CoH uses this very well. While they do not wait for an "issue" (as they term it) to reach "Critical Mass" they do release issues almost semi annually. Sometimes more often. At one point it was quarterly, but it has been inconsistent since then
I think the key to the consistency is planning. If they can hit the ground running and have one issue code complete and releasable at launch (that includes stability, load and nothing higher than P4 bugs open) then they can *immediately* go into a closed beta for the second "chapter" and work to get that in the same status before it is needed. the key here would be to remain a MINIMUM of one chapter ahead, so that as the target audience reached critical mass (which may or may not factor in the grinders - that is up to them) the next chapter can be released to the public.
This development model might be best served by agile development and sprints but I digress (and if it does not fit into the particular dev culture of 38 studios, I could also be WAY off base)
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By
Johnny
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08-12-2007, 04:23 PM
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
This sounds like it could be tons of fun, though it might be kind of hard for the slow progression people to keep up. (Like me)
I'm a little afraid that if they follow that mold it might cause some problems, because once the power gamers get into full swing they are really hard to stop, and if they go fast enough, it may make it hard for the developers to keep up, which may either cause delays on the episodes, or content cuts.
Probably the best route is to make the end raids on launch a time sink, to slow down the power gamers. That way they will give themselves some time to fix bugs, and work on future episodes.
Though I'm just assuming that the worst outcome of all the possible outcomes. It might not turn out like this, heck their idea may be totally different from what I'm thinking it will be like. Only time will tell I suppose.
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By
Naiya
on
08-12-2007, 05:20 PM
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
I don't know that you can program around powergamers, I think a smart dev house will find their widest possible target audience and then know there will be some that fall outside of this parameter. True grinders, gold farmers, socializers (like me) and what I like to call "complete story players" (those who want to do everything they can in an area before moving on - like myself and my ex) will DEFINTATELY fall outside of *any* dev houses demographic.
the key is, these players need to realize they have made a choice to play the way they do. It's up to the *players* to take responsibilty for themselves and their choices and realize that the content is either going to come out slower (or faster as the case may be) than they consume it.
The dev house has to remain strong to it's commitment to QUALITY content and even if the grinders/gold farmers/power levelers put pressure on to release content early, they need to remain both keenly aware of what their schedule is as well as flexible enough to review their schedule if they determine that critical mass is being reached earlier than expected.
the key is to find the median target gamer and release for them. Know the others exist and throw them bones, but don't let your players mandate your strategy. Ask 10 gamers how to keep gamers happy and you'll get 20 answers.
I'm excited about the names going into the story and the art as well as the takent of the teams going into the projects, what I'd like to know is some of the experience and history of those who have had to deal with us - the unruly, abusive and completely unreasonable (  ) end users
Gamers - love em.... or be Sony  *
*with the sole exception of the last sentence, the terms used in this post were not ment as slights against different gamer demographics, merely as lables to group certain "types" of gamers together. My personal opinions of gold sellers and power levelers was not, nor will it be, mentioned in any posts that are not specific to that purpose |
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Naiya
the key is, these players need to realize they have made a choice to play the way they do. It's up to the *players* to take responsibilty for themselves and their choices and realize that the content is either going to come out slower (or faster as the case may be) than they consume it.
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BOO-ya!!!!
Tell them to go play something else until the next release is ready! Don't let them push ANYthing and /silence their little fannies if they get out of hand!
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...the unruly, abusive and completely unreasonable () end users
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Don't be so hard on yourself! 
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Gamers - love em.... or be Sony *
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True that! Unfortunately, but that's the rep that company has now. I'll hand it to them that they ARE actually working on VSoH, but over all.... 
Well said, Sister Munchette!
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
Man I'm sooo far behind. I just heard about 38 today. I can't wait to see what R.A.comes up with should be good.
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Re: Inside 38 Studios' Secret MMO
Welcome to the site!
Don't worry about being "far behind." The gang at 38 are keeping pretty tight about things, so you won't have far to search to see what's going on. We're all watching and waiting, believe me! |
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