For MMO fans, these are tough times as they wait endlessly for their games. But is that really true? Or are they just never satisfied?
The development of MMORPGs takes a long time – significantly longer than most single-player games. This regularly tests the patience of MMO fans, who seem to spend more time waiting than actually playing. At least, that’s the assumption.
What is the assumption? In the MMORPG subreddit, “Delling_Rembran” made a post and sparked a discussion. His assumption: Games are perpetually in development and hardly ever released.
I am on the lookout for MMOs that appeal to me. I have played almost every AAA MMO, even some that were not quite perfect. Then I thought to myself: I remember that so many new MMOs were announced years ago – some over 10 years ago – and they are STILL being developed. Is that what the genre has become?
Where is Star Citizen, Ashes of Creation, Chronicles of Elyria, Camelot: Unchained, and Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen? What takes so long? Every year, it’s the same – more games are announced that will never be released.
Then I realized how many games I have supported over the last few years – that’s A LOT. I have spent so much money on games that are yet to come out.
I feel that my desire for a good MMO experience is being exploited here by never-ending crowdfunding campaigns. That’s a sad state for the genre.
This is the criticism of crowdfunding: Crowdfunding is viewed critically by some. TheElusiveFox writes:
Let’s be honest, crowdfunding was never really a good idea… it was riddled with fraud from the beginning and the cost/benefit risk of an investment is already quite high, but when you talk about crowdfunding, you at best get a game with some bonus content – that’s the wet dream of a fraudster.
There are often stories that crowdfunding simply never ends and the games remain in development for eternity and then are quietly shelved after many years.
What do other voices say? However, there are also some who contradict the thread and point out what has been released in the last 10 years:
In the past 10 years, at least the following MMOs have been released: WildStar, Blessed (multiple times), Black Desert Online, New World, Lost Ark, Albion, MapleStory 2, Aura Kingdom, Elder Scrolls Online.
Warframe and ArcheAge just missed the mark as they were released early in 2013. Additionally, “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” also happened less than 10 years ago.
WoW and Guild Wars 2 are older than 10 years, but they have had several expansions. Runescape is continuously releasing new content.
I understand that some of those mentioned have since closed, but my point is that there have been multiple major releases in the last 10 years. These have collectively provided thousands of hours of content. If you think none of those “appeal to you” – why do you believe any of those you listed would?
MMO fans are often a difficult bunch. We consistently find on MeinMMO that MMO fans are tough to please. They often seek something familiar that reminds them of their first big MMORPG – at the same time, it needs to be new and fresh enough to rekindle the excitement of the “first time.” Opposing demands that rarely come together.
How is it for you? Have you been waiting for “that one” MMO for many years? Or are you satisfied with the latest releases?
A new MMORPG just launched on May 1 – and is already planning a relaunch.
