Explaining the Dearth of Console MMOGs

spielermacher writes "Gamasutra is running an interesting analysis written by Flying Lab Software Producer Joe Ludwig explaining why there are not more successful Console MMOGs. Some reasons given: lack of keyboard, MMOG players like to play in pairs, business model doesn't always work out for the developer, larger installed base of game-quality PCs, and others."

Comments

New consoles are their own MMO

[analog_line]

This brings up something I've been devoting a bit of thought to lately (and has played into my decision-making on whether or not to get an Xbox360). What if the online console ecosystem we're creating is really it's own MMO.

From an interview on gamasutra that was linked here a while back that this article pricked to life out of my memory:

CN: Is that the converse of "The PC market is dead?"

RK: Well, yeah. I'm one of the people who went out there and said, "Single-player gaming is doomed," and I actually used that phrase. An Xbox Live Achievement is a soul-bound item, and Gamerpoints are experience points, and BioShock is a one-man instance dungeon in the Xbox Live MMO. That is the direction that single-player gaming is going, frankly.

I think this is more and more becoming a reality. Even in the nailed-down online component of Mario-Kart Wii, there's the world-wide Time Trial leaderboard where you can download the ghost of the best recorded time on the planet and see if you can beat it, and if you do, upload that score and have worldwide bragging rights.

Re:Login is the least of your worries

[hansamurai]

Speaking of Phantasy Star Online and keyboards, you could actually get a Gamecube controller with a keyboard in the middle. My friend had one and it was one of the funniest things I ever held. He used it for PSO, which he played all the time.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/2389/1/9342.jpg