What can we expect from indie MMOs in 2016? Are they really saving the genre?
The end of the year is approaching and around the holidays, indie developers seem to have taken some time off, so very little – if anything – has happened in this area last week. Therefore, in this issue of the Respec column, we are looking not back, but forward.
What do we expect in the indie sector for the year 2016? For one, there are still plenty of interesting titles in development, such as Shroud of the Avatar, Crowfall, Gloria Victis, Chronicles of Elyria, or Revival. We expect significant progress from these games in the coming year, if not even an official release for one or the other title. You will increasingly see the games take shape and, above all, form. They will develop into full-fledged MMOs that you want to play, while from some we still know too little or they are in a state where playing them simply isn’t fun yet.
New announcements in the indie sector
In addition, we also expect that there will be some new announcements. The indie sector could become a new playground for MMO developers. Looking back at the past years, there have been hardly any new announcements of MMORPGs from major studios. Therefore, we can hardly expect AAA MMORPGs. But this could herald a golden age for indie MMOs. In the indie sector, it is possible to focus more on gameplay mechanics and content rather than top-notch graphics.
Graphics are something that consumes the most money during the development of a game. If you focus on the content, it is possible to bring innovations to the genre. New ideas are possible, just like new scenarios. You can experiment more, leading to the establishment of new trends.
The genre will evolve
And it is this fresh wind that the genre needs, which seems to be brought about by indie developers and not by big studios. Large studios rely more on tried and tested formulas, as this involves less risk and prevents them from quickly throwing millions down the drain. An indie project, which has a significantly lower budget, takes fewer risks in this regard.
Moreover, indie developers are often much more passionate about what they’re doing than those from large studios, who may also be under the direction of a major publisher. This passion allows them to try out new ideas. They are still gamers and create the games they themselves would like to play.
Therefore, there is no need to fear a decline for the genre of MMORPGs in 2016. Particularly in the indie sector, we will probably see very interesting projects. Which of them will succeed and which will even be released remains to be seen. However, 2016 is sure to be a very interesting year and we are already looking forward to what we will get to play and what will be newly announced.
