Fantasy Trumps Sci-Fi For MMOs

simoniker writes "Mythic's Mark Jacobs, whose MMO company is being acquired by EA, has commented in detail on why fantasy MMOs sell better as part of an extended interview. He suggests of MMOs: 'Fantasy is easier than sci-fi. Want to know why? It's simple. A gun. What's a gun? A gun is impersonal. A gun can shoot somebody from across the room... Part of the challenge we found with Imperator is how do you make a combat system based on lasers and energy weapons, compelling to an RPG audience. The other challenge with a sci-fi game is that fantasy is very well defined in our minds ... I also think there's something I can't explain, which is that people are more willing to play a fantasy game that's not as good online, than they are willing to play a sci-fi game that's not as good online. And I'm not sure why that is.' Suggestions?"

Comments

Re:Other weapons

[drinkypoo]

Hell, I'd be satisfied had they just given the Orks some heavy bolters.

Oh man, no shit. I hear there's a Warhammer RTS coming out, "yay!" Then I find out it's warhammer fantasy. Now what the fuck is the point of that? There's a million fantasy genres that could be turned into RTSes. Warhammer 40,000, on the other hand, at least has an original premise (if a bit dated today.) Why can't we have a 40k RTS?