It is becoming clear who is setting the impulses for new MMOs and MMORPGs, believes our author Schuhmann: the Chinese company NetEase and its partners with the wonder technology SpatialOS. But the future may not please many. The signs are pointing towards sandbox and PvP, not theme park and PvE.
The Great MMORPG Conflict of 2018
These new MMORPGs are coming right now: We are currently experiencing that almost every new “MMORPG” presentation has players having an issue with the game.
This is not because they are indie games with low production values, but because almost all these games rely on “sandbox” elements:
- the games have open PvP
- the content should be shaped by the players
- there are hardly any quests or stories
- but rather they want to create a living world where players determine what happens
Many players want something different: Most MMORPG fans who express their anger want other games. They want:
- a world with story and quests
- high production values, preferably fully voiced
- a focus on PvE; no PvP or only in certain arenas
- preferably assurance that new PvE content will constantly be added
But these types of games are hardly being built for fans today, or only very sporadically. The production costs and investment risks are too high, after these games have repeatedly failed in the past. If something comes in this direction, like recently Bless, it will sink.
But these are just indies! One could say: Well, what we currently see in new “MMORPGs” are often just indie projects financed through Kickstarter. This can hardly be the future of the genre.
However, the future of MMORPGs is actually being created: in China. And even there, the signs are clearly pointing towards sandbox.
The Next Generation of MMOs is Being Created in China
Where is the future of MMOs being created? When looking for the future of MMORPGs, one should follow the money trail. And this trail clearly leads to China.
The money is in China: The gaming giant “NetEase” has made billions of US dollars in recent years with mobile games for the Chinese market and the distribution of US games like WoW or Hearthstone in Asia.
NetEase is currently on a shopping spree in the West:
- In February 2018, they formed a partnership with the tech company Improbable, which is to serve as the basis for new MMOs and MMORPGs
- In June, NetEase partnered with Destiny developer Bungie for a new game – NetEase invested a cool $100 million there
- And now they have teamed up with CCP to market EVE Online in China
SpatialOS as crucial technology: The key element for the future is certainly the investment in Improbable and their technology SpatialOS.
Improbable has been the “money” in MMO investments in recent years. In May 2017, Improbable had already received $502 million in investments. NetEase recently invested an additional $50 million in Improbable.
Even smaller companies relying on SpatialOS are receiving larger investments – like the recent MMORPG Seed from Berlin
What Does SpatialOS Want?
Improbable CEO Herman Nerula speaks of breaking the stagnation in the MMO genre. His dream was once to transform Destiny with his technology into a “living world”.
The technology behind SpatialOS should make it possible for “small teams” to create massive and vibrant worlds. This is to be achieved through overlapping server structures and the cloud.
So far, they have only been able to win over games at the level of an “indie” studio as cooperation partners. However, with NetEase, they are climbing into the major leagues.
It is clear: NetEase wants to lead MMORPGs and MMOs into the future, and for that, they will rely on SpatialOS. But this will be a future of sandbox games.
Technology Designed for Sandbox – Small Teams Create Worlds, No Stories
What will the future look like? The technology of SpatialOS is designed for sandbox. With SpatialOS, thousands of players should populate vibrant worlds. Pre-made content like quests or stories plays a minor role here.
The technology is ideal for a sandbox where players interact with each other:
- SpatialOS advertises that even small teams can create massive worlds with their technology.
- Traditional theme park MMORPGs need to employ hordes of staff to create enough content.
In summary: In the new type of MMOs, the players themselves are the content.
Do Players Love Sandbox as Much as Investors?
Will this work? It is logical that investors prefer the idea of a small team creating something new – compared to the theme park model, where hundreds of employees produce games that then have a high risk of failure.
By the end of 2018, NetEase and Improbable want to present the first games of this partnership. It will be interesting to see how MMORPG fans react to them. Because whether players love sandbox as much as investors remains uncertain at the moment.
