A new MMO with similar success to WoW would likely be cross-platform but I don't think you could cut out the PC market.
The main issue, as I see it, is going to be retention. To achieve WoW's success, not only do you need to attract millions of people, you also need to keep them in game long term. That is done through depth of gameplay (to keep you engaged long term) and social connections (friends don't let friends quit).
Both those things are a challenge on consoles with a standard controller.
Any developer in today's market would be an idiot to cut out any platform. The real issue is making a game that is truly cross platform where everyone just plays together no matter what system you have. There are already a few that have stuck their toes into this but it isn't the main stream quite yet.
Look at it like this, how much sense does it make to lose out on getting those few million customers that don't own or want to own a console or a gaming PC. Not everyone wants to own every console and a PC.
It would be better to just call console what they are in today's market anyway, mid range gaming PC's. The only reason games run better on any system especially a console is because it was optimized to do so.
Optimization is the answer for all games in the future. If you can make a game that is optimized for any PC (consoles included in PC) then you would have something that could truly brig the gap and overtake the industry as you could sell to all customers no matter what they own.
So to answer the question no I don't think any game of the future will omit a massive customer base.
I sure hope some developers ignore your advice, in order to be truly cross platform you have to optimize the design to the lowest common denominator in hardware.
Consoles are low end PCs at best, heck a top end graphics card for a PC can cost a grand, mid range gaming PCs are in the $1500 to $2500 range, and as always, the PC you really want costs $4K.
One of the greatest hindrances to advancements in MMO/ PC gaming has been developers catering to the masses ever since WOW started the trend in 2004.
I suspect Star Citizen will require a fairly robust PC to run well, a trend I welcome even if not a backer of the game.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Looks like consoles will be getting keyboard and mouse support. Both the PS4 and Xbox are basically custom gaming PC's, the one x has directx 12 built into the main chip. This gen is not a big threat to PC gaming but I reckon the next gen could be.
There's some truth to that. However, keyboard interfaces, particularly those involved with gaming, aren't well suited for a console environment. I think of how silly it looks when I see the Big Bang Theory guys tapping away on laptops on their laps in the living room, where they're supposed to be playing WoW. That's just friggin' silly.
That doesn't prevent somebody from buying a console and putting it in a PC environment. But unless manufacturers just give up on the PC platform(not an impossibility!), the console will always be inferior in that way.
Er, I play all games on a gaming laptop, including WOW back in day, why do you think that looks silly?
In fact I managed a six account mining fleet from my laptop, which I actually put in my lap by the way. (a 1/2 inch plastic/rubber cutting board protects "the jewels")
Now if they were supposed to be playing Red Dead Redemption, that would be silly.
I do a lot of laptop gaming since I travel a lot. So no, it's not silly. But I always use a mouse. The silly image he is referring to is how they are playing using a touchpad. Yeah that's a bit silly. And if you are mastering the virtual worlds using only a touchpad then I'd look a lot like your avatar now!
Constantine, The Console Poster
"One of the most difficult tasks men can perform, however much others may despise it, is the invention of good games and it cannot be done by men out of touch with their instinctive selves." - Carl Jung
Look at it like this, how much sense does it make to lose out on getting those few million customers that don't own or want to own a console or a gaming PC. Not everyone wants to own every console and a PC.
I dont' agree. Simply because you can't even find a mmorpg with a few million customer. Unless developer make a mmorpg so successful it'll get really big, I don't think it'll ever happen.
Guessing English isn't your primary language because I can't really make out what you are disagreeing about other than the random number. I could just start by saying that there are some mmo's that have over a million players today, just not concurrently playing. But you missed the entire point of my reply go read it again.
You said any developer is an idiot to not make their game cross plateform. I disagree with that. Most mmorpg won't get large enough for it to worth the trouble.
There are a few mmorpg in devlopment, ash of creation, camelot unchain, crowfall etc. It is not worth it to make "those" game cross plateform.
People mention FF and ESO being cross plateform but those game do get large enough and those companies have the resource to do it. Sure there are mmorpg that will be cross plateform, but majority of it still won't be.
I don't ever think a game will ever see the numbers wow has in it's prime. Too many choices now.
There are games that have sold millions of units, ESO comes to mind, B2P so there is really no way to know how many are still playing it across all 3 platforms. I'm sure I'm counted in that figure, but I haven't play it since 3 months after it's initial release.
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
Any developer in today's market would be an idiot to cut out any platform. The real issue is making a game that is truly cross platform where everyone just plays together no matter what system you have. There are already a few that have stuck their toes into this but it isn't the main stream quite yet.
Look at it like this, how much sense does it make to lose out on getting those few million customers that don't own or want to own a console or a gaming PC. Not everyone wants to own every console and a PC.
It would be better to just call console what they are in today's market anyway, mid range gaming PC's. The only reason games run better on any system especially a console is because it was optimized to do so.
Optimization is the answer for all games in the future. If you can make a game that is optimized for any PC (consoles included in PC) then you would have something that could truly brig the gap and overtake the industry as you could sell to all customers no matter what they own.
So to answer the question no I don't think any game of the future will omit a massive customer base.
I sure hope some developers ignore your advice, in order to be truly cross platform you have to optimize the design to the lowest common denominator in hardware.
Consoles are low end PCs at best, heck a top end graphics card for a PC can cost a grand, mid range gaming PCs are in the $1500 to $2500 range, and as always, the PC you really want costs $4K.
One of the greatest hindrances to advancements in MMO/ PC gaming has been developers catering to the masses ever since WOW started the trend in 2004.
I suspect Star Citizen will require a fairly robust PC to run well, a trend I welcome even if not a backer of the game.
Lowest common denominator? So a 5 year old PC - or maybe even a 5 year old non-gaming laptop.
PCs can be super powerful - if people spend the money; most don't however. Consoles however offer excellent performance for the price (in addition to offering developers a standard).
However as I said earlier I don't believe the future belongs to either platform.
I hate everything about Mobile gaming, I Hate the fact its on some little ass screen, I hate the fact there always seems to be some popup asking me to buy something, i hate the fact some douchebag is playing his mobile game instead of helping me at Best Buy or Taco Bell, I Hate the fact all the Ip's I love like Star Wars & Game of Thrones are being gobbled up by the mobile gaming world, I Hate the fact iv taken time out of my day to write about my hatred for mobile games.
I'm not a big fan of laptops. If I was always on the move or needed to be with other people a lot I probably would be. I much prefer a large high-quality TV so that I can read it comfortably and not have it or the computer right on top of me. Those things pump out a lot of heat even if you have a cooler and protection. It is also just more comfortable for me to recline and use an Xbox controller with chatpad. If I really need to type I have a wireless keyboard with touchpad. That seems to be rare though. I use a 17 inch laptop at work on a desk with a monitor connected and it's OK. I think a desktop with keyboard and mouse is overall better for working. It's good enough for me. I also switched to a trackball mouse which is much easier on my right hand that was broken playing hockey in my early 20s. I'm not a big fan of consoles as I mentioned because they don't allow enough control over graphic settings. If I could lower graphic settings and play at 60fps for every game I would probably consider consoles, but they still would lag behind in freedom of choice with things like mods and they aren't very good for browsing the web or doing work.
Any developer in today's market would be an idiot to cut out any platform. The real issue is making a game that is truly cross platform where everyone just plays together no matter what system you have. There are already a few that have stuck their toes into this but it isn't the main stream quite yet.
Look at it like this, how much sense does it make to lose out on getting those few million customers that don't own or want to own a console or a gaming PC. Not everyone wants to own every console and a PC.
It would be better to just call console what they are in today's market anyway, mid range gaming PC's. The only reason games run better on any system especially a console is because it was optimized to do so.
Optimization is the answer for all games in the future. If you can make a game that is optimized for any PC (consoles included in PC) then you would have something that could truly brig the gap and overtake the industry as you could sell to all customers no matter what they own.
So to answer the question no I don't think any game of the future will omit a massive customer base.
I sure hope some developers ignore your advice, in order to be truly cross platform you have to optimize the design to the lowest common denominator in hardware.
Consoles are low end PCs at best, heck a top end graphics card for a PC can cost a grand, mid range gaming PCs are in the $1500 to $2500 range, and as always, the PC you really want costs $4K.
One of the greatest hindrances to advancements in MMO/ PC gaming has been developers catering to the masses ever since WOW started the trend in 2004.
I suspect Star Citizen will require a fairly robust PC to run well, a trend I welcome even if not a backer of the game.
The new consoles are closer to mid - high range PCs nowadays. The 500 dollar XB1X is relative to the cost of a 800 - 950 custom gaming PC, which would be in that bracket. Remember the XB1X runs 4K natively at 30FPS.
Mid range gaming PCs can be 1500 to 2500.. but not if you build them, and also not if you find good deals. Equally so with a gaming laptop, I rarely spend more than 1100 on a gaming laptop, and in that range, you can find something that will last you several years, and able to run just about every game smoothly, even if not always on max settings, but if max settings is a high end PC, then the 1000 range is closer to mid range.
The question of whether or not it will be on PC is beyond question, it will. The real question is whether or not it will be on console too, at present there are somewhere in the region of 70 million PS4's, less than half that for Xbox, its even possible that the Switch will take second place in terms of userbase on the console market, so the real question is whether or not the next 'big' MMO will be multi platform, which at present only one game is, and that is FFXIV:ARR, its the only game that spans both the PC and the PS4, which while games such as ESO are on console too, they are seperate entities and not actually multi platform, but even if you group all the consoles together, PS4, Switch and Xbox they represent but a fraction of the userbase that is the PC, even if you only counted the install base of Win 10 users which is less than half that of the Win 7 user base, though it will no doubt be interesting to see what happens in 2020 when support for Win7 finally ends as i have no doubt that it will have an effect on MMO's too as i doubt many (MMO's) will continue to support the platform either unless Microsoft extends support for it, just from the security aspects alone, which is a serious consideration for MMO's as hackers are always looking for a way in.
Looks like consoles will be getting keyboard and mouse support. Both the PS4 and Xbox are basically custom gaming PC's,...
All game consoles have ALWAYS been personal computers with a lot of limitations.
Keyboards and mice being usable isn't even anything new to consoles either, but they've not really been supported by the games, and have been niche addons at best.
WoW release was just at the right time for the right thing, its an anomaly, only time we may see another anomaly like WoW would be when somone finaly does a accessible and well made Virtual reality game which is a long way off :P
But the best chance we have atm of a major hit MMO is Star Citizen.
IMO, what made WoW big, most of all, was accessibility. While it was certainly more difficult a game than it is, now, it was still much simpler and had a more streamlined interface than its competition at the time.
My point in mentioning that is... so far, SC doesn't seem like it will be that way, at all. It's clearly going to be more simulator than arcade. That in itself will make it a niche game, no matter how spectacular the visuals, or seamless the gameplay.
And Wow could run on most PC's at the time. Today everyone wants state of the art graphics so some pc's can't run them and these games are not popular like wow was. So now they making mmo's to run on console so what you get is mmo lite games. The direction the genre is going is not a good one.
The question of whether or not it will be on PC is beyond question, it will. The real question is whether or not it will be on console too, at present there are somewhere in the region of 70 million PS4's, less than half that for Xbox, its even possible that the Switch will take second place in terms of userbase on the console market, so the real question is whether or not the next 'big' MMO will be multi platform, which at present only one game is, and that is FFXIV:ARR, its the only game that spans both the PC and the PS4, which while games such as ESO are on console too, they are seperate entities and not actually multi platform, but even if you group all the consoles together, PS4, Switch and Xbox they represent but a fraction of the userbase that is the PC, even if you only counted the install base of Win 10 users which is less than half that of the Win 7 user base, though it will no doubt be interesting to see what happens in 2020 when support for Win7 finally ends as i have no doubt that it will have an effect on MMO's too as i doubt many (MMO's) will continue to support the platform either unless Microsoft extends support for it, just from the security aspects alone, which is a serious consideration for MMO's as hackers are always looking for a way in.
Yet Mobile outpaces PC in terms of ownership these days. In 2015 more people owned smartphones than they did a PC. I think the article is questioning whether, in the future, PCs will be taking a back seat to other types of devices, which may lead the way for new WoW types of successes?
I don't know what the future holds but a lot of companies are working on HMD that aren't tied to a "pc" per se. No idea if they'll come to fruition, but who knows?
I myself am not much of a supporter of their means of gathering funding through hundreds of millions of dollars in ships. I personally only own the starter package.
But the best chance we have atm of a major hit MMO is Star Citizen.
The genre has become stale and people would rather just push out copies of 15 year old MMO's rather than try anything new.
People forget the merging of instanced based dungeons and PvE and Open World faction PvP along with the simplicity to jump in is what made WoW the king that it became.
These features seems standard nowadays, but back then it was really UO and DAOC for PvP, and Everquest for PvE. Merging them together in the way WoW did was something new.
The only MMO really attempting to push the boundaries right now is Star Citizen.....it's as easy as that.
But the best chance we have atm of a major hit MMO is Star Citizen
The question of whether or not it will be on PC is beyond question, it will. The real question is whether or not it will be on console too, at present there are somewhere in the region of 70 million PS4's, less than half that for Xbox, its even possible that the Switch will take second place in terms of userbase on the console market, so the real question is whether or not the next 'big' MMO will be multi platform, which at present only one game is, and that is FFXIV:ARR, its the only game that spans both the PC and the PS4, which while games such as ESO are on console too, they are seperate entities and not actually multi platform, but even if you group all the consoles together, PS4, Switch and Xbox they represent but a fraction of the userbase that is the PC, even if you only counted the install base of Win 10 users which is less than half that of the Win 7 user base, though it will no doubt be interesting to see what happens in 2020 when support for Win7 finally ends as i have no doubt that it will have an effect on MMO's too as i doubt many (MMO's) will continue to support the platform either unless Microsoft extends support for it, just from the security aspects alone, which is a serious consideration for MMO's as hackers are always looking for a way in.
Yet Mobile outpaces PC in terms of ownership these days. In 2015 more people owned smartphones than they did a PC. I think the article is questioning whether, in the future, PCs will be taking a back seat to other types of devices, which may lead the way for new WoW types of successes?
I don't know what the future holds but a lot of companies are working on HMD that aren't tied to a "pc" per se. No idea if they'll come to fruition, but who knows?
We can only guess at the capabilities of smart phones in the future, but they aren't really a factor as most people do not use smart phones for games even, they'll use it for facebook or web browsing, facetime etc. but games beyond the candy crush variety, not so much which is a reason why its those kinds of 'apps' rather than actual games that are the most financially viable on the mobile market, i think there would have to be a significant advancement in the technology before that would change, though i think that advancement would also be reflected in the tech used in PC's, i do not think that its even going to be really about advancing storage or working memory in the things but more about how games or whatever can be streamed to it or how smart devices are able to utilise external resources, having a 'smart phone' that is a peripheral of a PC, even over distance would likely overcome many of the issues that smart devices have.
What I'm afraid of is them putting us all into one group and forcing us to use the same methods and tools. One of the barriers to a true crossplatform MMO or game are the differences between consoles and PC's. There're several. It tends to be harder to chagne the hardware/software on a console. They tend to not be upgradeable. But hte biggest different for me is console players tend to use gamepads. Far back as I can remember, console players used some kind of gamepad. I used a gamepad when I played on hte Atari. The trouble is they rarely use keyboards or mouse. A lot of PC players use hte keyboard AND mouse. A fraction of those use gamepads with their PC. This creates trouble for the game maker, as they have ot create an interface which works on gamepads and keyboards/mouse. Creating two different interfaces usually isn't an option because it introduces conflcits and is extra development. This forces them to cut out the best options for each. I think they'll lean towards gamepads and for me, primarily a PC user, that's unacceptable. Either you make a interface which works seemlessly with my keyboard/mouse, or I don't play your game/MMO.
I've witnessed teh same sort of software engineering in websites. Many websites now are big/blocky to be accessible on mobiles. They also make websites accessible on widescreen monitors, forcing anybody with an older monitor to do back flips or die. When I look at old screenshots from 5 to 15 years ago, it makes me cry. Those sites were so crisp and beautiful on a PC. It's obvious they're forcing us all into the same room and whether we like it or not they feed us the same stuff.
What I'm afraid of is them putting us all into one group and forcing us to use the same methods and tools. One of the barriers to a true crossplatform MMO or game are the differences between consoles and PC's. There're several. It tends to be harder to chagne the hardware/software on a console. They tend to not be upgradeable. But hte biggest different for me is console players tend to use gamepads. Far back as I can remember, console players used some kind of gamepad. I used a gamepad when I played on hte Atari. The trouble is they rarely use keyboards or mouse. A lot of PC players use hte keyboard AND mouse. A fraction of those use gamepads with their PC. This creates trouble for the game maker, as they have ot create an interface which works on gamepads and keyboards/mouse. Creating two different interfaces usually isn't an option because it introduces conflcits and is extra development. This forces them to cut out the best options for each. I think they'll lean towards gamepads and for me, primarily a PC user, that's unacceptable. Either you make a interface which works seemlessly with my keyboard/mouse, or I don't play your game/MMO.
I've witnessed teh same sort of software engineering in websites. Many websites now are big/blocky to be accessible on mobiles. To a lesser extent, it's also true for the widescreen monitors. Websites change to be viewable on thowes. When I look at old screenshots from 5 to 15 years ago, it makes me cry. It's obvious they're forcing us all into the same room and whether we like it or not they feed us the same stuff.
I'm hoping the keyboard and mouse will find a better replacement at some point. It is the cause of many peoples physical ailments with regards to the hand and wrist. It also is less flexible than the controller in terms of being able to move around while doing things on the computer.
WoW will follow the money and there's a lot of money in mobile gaming. They will look at a game that's doing well and put their own slant to it. I wouldn't be surprised to see a Pokemon-like version of WoW.
"We all do the best we can based on life experience, point of view, and our ability to believe in ourselves." - Naropa "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." SR Covey
What I'm afraid of is them putting us all into one group and forcing us to use the same methods and tools. One of the barriers to a true crossplatform MMO or game are the differences between consoles and PC's. There're several. It tends to be harder to chagne the hardware/software on a console. They tend to not be upgradeable. But hte biggest different for me is console players tend to use gamepads. Far back as I can remember, console players used some kind of gamepad. I used a gamepad when I played on hte Atari. The trouble is they rarely use keyboards or mouse. A lot of PC players use hte keyboard AND mouse. A fraction of those use gamepads with their PC. This creates trouble for the game maker, as they have ot create an interface which works on gamepads and keyboards/mouse. Creating two different interfaces usually isn't an option because it introduces conflcits and is extra development. This forces them to cut out the best options for each. I think they'll lean towards gamepads and for me, primarily a PC user, that's unacceptable. Either you make a interface which works seemlessly with my keyboard/mouse, or I don't play your game/MMO.
I've witnessed teh same sort of software engineering in websites. Many websites now are big/blocky to be accessible on mobiles. To a lesser extent, it's also true for the widescreen monitors. Websites change to be viewable on thowes. When I look at old screenshots from 5 to 15 years ago, it makes me cry. It's obvious they're forcing us all into the same room and whether we like it or not they feed us the same stuff.
I'm hoping the keyboard and mouse will find a better replacement at some point. It is the cause of many peoples physical ailments with regards to the hand and wrist. It also is less flexible than the controller in terms of being able to move around while doing things on the computer.
It depends. Not every1 has trouble. Depends a lot on posture of your arms and back. Also mouse+keyboard is king of mouselook and clicking. A gamepad doesn't come close to the speed and accuracy. I know because I used a gaempad since I was a child and played first-person games on N64--like Goldeneye and Perfect Dark. People who avoid PC's might be better with them though, since I started using a PC when I was 16. I played the N64 regularly up until I was 22 or 23. I've programmed on my PC for over 20 years, so they're very natural to me. And for certain kinds of movement, like moving around in third-person, a gamepad might be better. The joystick can give a range of positive and negative values and that is something a keybaord can't do, and a mouse can't do the same way. I'm willing to give you that.
The other issue is the limited range of input on a gamepad. This forces UI designers to implement interfaces which can operate under a limited input scheme. While the interfaces have improved over time, they're still veyr limited. I've not seen one I'm interested in having on my PC. They're all deevolutions in my opinion. They're only innovation if you discard a mouse+keyboard permanently. For some people that works, but not all.
Note that the limited amount of input is one reason why voice chat is so popular. A gamer who exclusively uses a gamepad doesn't have to buy a keyboard to chat. This is just another reason why fast-paced combat in MMORPGs is increasingly asked for. Voice chat enabled us to detach ourselves somewhat from the keyboard, allowing that vacancy to be filled by responsive combat--dodging, blocking, etc.
EDIT: Ahh I think you mean wireless gamepads? That's what you mean by flexible? A mouse+keyboard can't be moved around easily, I agree. In the living room, consoles are king. They can't be king of everyting. Sorry but there's no holy grail answer for everything. There might someday be something better than mouse+keyboard, but it doesn't necessarily have to also apply to consoles or anything other than a PC. For example, I'd like to see eye-tracking so we don't need to use a mouse to click on things. A mouse could be replaced by just a clicker or even a smal one-handed gamepad. You move your eyes where you wnat to click and hten you click with your finger or similar. But this doesn't have to be a universal improvement--that's my main point. That's the whole problem with what's happening. Software engineers aren't merging everyting because it's better, they're doing it because it's cheaper!
What I'm afraid of is them putting us all into one group and forcing us to use the same methods and tools. One of the barriers to a true crossplatform MMO or game are the differences between consoles and PC's. There're several. It tends to be harder to chagne the hardware/software on a console. They tend to not be upgradeable. But hte biggest different for me is console players tend to use gamepads. Far back as I can remember, console players used some kind of gamepad. I used a gamepad when I played on hte Atari. The trouble is they rarely use keyboards or mouse. A lot of PC players use hte keyboard AND mouse. A fraction of those use gamepads with their PC. This creates trouble for the game maker, as they have ot create an interface which works on gamepads and keyboards/mouse. Creating two different interfaces usually isn't an option because it introduces conflcits and is extra development. This forces them to cut out the best options for each. I think they'll lean towards gamepads and for me, primarily a PC user, that's unacceptable. Either you make a interface which works seemlessly with my keyboard/mouse, or I don't play your game/MMO.
I've witnessed teh same sort of software engineering in websites. Many websites now are big/blocky to be accessible on mobiles. To a lesser extent, it's also true for the widescreen monitors. Websites change to be viewable on thowes. When I look at old screenshots from 5 to 15 years ago, it makes me cry. It's obvious they're forcing us all into the same room and whether we like it or not they feed us the same stuff.
I'm hoping the keyboard and mouse will find a better replacement at some point. It is the cause of many peoples physical ailments with regards to the hand and wrist. It also is less flexible than the controller in terms of being able to move around while doing things on the computer.
It depends. Not every1 has trouble. Depends a lot on posture of your arms and back. Also mouse+keyboard is king of mouselook and clicking. A gamepad doesn't come close to the speed and accuracy. I know because I used a gaempad since I was a child and played first-person games on N64--like Goldeneye and Perfect Dark. People who avoid PC's might be better with them though, since I started using a PC when I was 16. I played the N64 regularly up until I was 22 or 23. I've programmed on my PC for over 20 years, so they're very natural to me. And for certain kinds of movement, like moving around in third-person, a gamepad might be better. The joystick can give a range of positive and negative values and that is something a keybaord can't do, and a mouse can't do the same way. I'm willing to give you that.
The other issue is the limited range of input on a gamepad. This forces UI designers to implement interfaces which can operate under a limited input scheme. While the interfaces have improved over time, they're still veyr limited. I've not seen one I'm interested in having on my PC. They're all deevolutions in my opinion. They're only innovation if you discard a mouse+keyboard permanently. For some people that works, but not all.
Note that the limited amount of input is one reason why voice chat is so popular. A gamer who exclusively uses a gamepad doesn't have to buy a keyboard to chat. This is just another reason why fast-paced combat in MMORPGs is increasingly asked for. Voice chat enabled us to detach ourselves somewhat from the keyboard, allowing that vacancy to be filled by responsive combat--dodging, blocking, etc.
EDIT: Ahh I think you mean wireless gamepads? That's what you mean by flexible? A mouse+keyboard can't be moved around easily, I agree. In the living room, consoles are king. They can't be king of everyting. Sorry but there's no holy grail answer for everything. There might someday be something better than mouse+keyboard, but it doesn't necessarily have to also apply to consoles or anything other than a PC. For example, I'd like to see eye-tracking so we don't need to use a mouse to click on things. A mouse could be replaced by just a clicker or even a smal one-handed gamepad. You move your eyes where you wnat to click and hten you click with your finger or similar. But this doesn't have to be a universal improvement--that's my main point. That's the whole problem with what's happening. Software engineers aren't merging everyting because it's better, they're doing it because it's cheaper!
I realize the cons, but this isn't true. Controllers can be coded for quick navigation of menus which isn't much different aside from being a bit slower. They are actually better for more action-oriented combat games. Movement with the analog stick is easier in first and third person view using a controller. Dark Souls uses a controller and is a fairly complex game. If you use the Steam interface with your controller you can use an overlap to map keys and even make a modifier button which you can hit to change all the other keys to different values.
In terms of comfort, the controller wins hands down IMO. Sure you can be comfortable depending on your setup with keyboard and mouse, but you can't really move a keyboard and mouse around while playing. With a controller, you can easily move to different positions as needed quickly I have a setup with a PC connected to a TV near my bed and I only use the wireless keyboard and touchpad when I need to do so. That is usually only when I type a lot. I do have a chatpad both for an Xbox One controller and a DualShock 4 controller that works fine for typing in most cases.
Comments
The main issue, as I see it, is going to be retention. To achieve WoW's success, not only do you need to attract millions of people, you also need to keep them in game long term. That is done through depth of gameplay (to keep you engaged long term) and social connections (friends don't let friends quit).
Both those things are a challenge on consoles with a standard controller.
Consoles are low end PCs at best, heck a top end graphics card for a PC can cost a grand, mid range gaming PCs are in the $1500 to $2500 range, and as always, the PC you really want costs $4K.
One of the greatest hindrances to advancements in MMO/ PC gaming has been developers catering to the masses ever since WOW started the trend in 2004.
I suspect Star Citizen will require a fairly robust PC to run well, a trend I welcome even if not a backer of the game.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
There are a few mmorpg in devlopment, ash of creation, camelot unchain, crowfall etc. It is not worth it to make "those" game cross plateform.
People mention FF and ESO being cross plateform but those game do get large enough and those companies have the resource to do it. Sure there are mmorpg that will be cross plateform, but majority of it still won't be.
There are games that have sold millions of units, ESO comes to mind, B2P so there is really no way to know how many are still playing it across all 3 platforms. I'm sure I'm counted in that figure, but I haven't play it since 3 months after it's initial release.
I'm not an IT Specialist, Game Developer, or Clairvoyant in real life, but like others on here, I play one on the internet.
PCs can be super powerful - if people spend the money; most don't however. Consoles however offer excellent performance for the price (in addition to offering developers a standard).
However as I said earlier I don't believe the future belongs to either platform.
I really HATE MOBILE GAMING!
Aloha Mr Hand !
Mid range gaming PCs can be 1500 to 2500.. but not if you build them, and also not if you find good deals. Equally so with a gaming laptop, I rarely spend more than 1100 on a gaming laptop, and in that range, you can find something that will last you several years, and able to run just about every game smoothly, even if not always on max settings, but if max settings is a high end PC, then the 1000 range is closer to mid range.
Unless you're a large player in the business and have connection to lower the fee, it is not worth the trouble.
EDIT: sorry that is not true, just more than all the PS4s
Please do not respond to me, even if I ask you a question, its rhetorical.
Please do not respond to me
Lost my mind, now trying to lose yours...
Keyboards and mice being usable isn't even anything new to consoles either, but they've not really been supported by the games, and have been niche addons at best.
Lost my mind, now trying to lose yours...
I don't know what the future holds but a lot of companies are working on HMD that aren't tied to a "pc" per se. No idea if they'll come to fruition, but who knows?
This made me laugh...thank-you
I've witnessed teh same sort of software engineering in websites. Many websites now are big/blocky to be accessible on mobiles. They also make websites accessible on widescreen monitors, forcing anybody with an older monitor to do back flips or die. When I look at old screenshots from 5 to 15 years ago, it makes me cry. Those sites were so crisp and beautiful on a PC. It's obvious they're forcing us all into the same room and whether we like it or not they feed us the same stuff.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a Pokemon-like version of WoW.
"We all do the best we can based on life experience, point of view, and our ability to believe in ourselves." - Naropa "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are." SR Covey
The other issue is the limited range of input on a gamepad. This forces UI designers to implement interfaces which can operate under a limited input scheme. While the interfaces have improved over time, they're still veyr limited. I've not seen one I'm interested in having on my PC. They're all deevolutions in my opinion. They're only innovation if you discard a mouse+keyboard permanently. For some people that works, but not all.
Note that the limited amount of input is one reason why voice chat is so popular. A gamer who exclusively uses a gamepad doesn't have to buy a keyboard to chat. This is just another reason why fast-paced combat in MMORPGs is increasingly asked for. Voice chat enabled us to detach ourselves somewhat from the keyboard, allowing that vacancy to be filled by responsive combat--dodging, blocking, etc.
EDIT: Ahh I think you mean wireless gamepads? That's what you mean by flexible? A mouse+keyboard can't be moved around easily, I agree. In the living room, consoles are king. They can't be king of everyting. Sorry but there's no holy grail answer for everything. There might someday be something better than mouse+keyboard, but it doesn't necessarily have to also apply to consoles or anything other than a PC. For example, I'd like to see eye-tracking so we don't need to use a mouse to click on things. A mouse could be replaced by just a clicker or even a smal one-handed gamepad. You move your eyes where you wnat to click and hten you click with your finger or similar. But this doesn't have to be a universal improvement--that's my main point. That's the whole problem with what's happening. Software engineers aren't merging everyting because it's better, they're doing it because it's cheaper!
In terms of comfort, the controller wins hands down IMO. Sure you can be comfortable depending on your setup with keyboard and mouse, but you can't really move a keyboard and mouse around while playing. With a controller, you can easily move to different positions as needed quickly I have a setup with a PC connected to a TV near my bed and I only use the wireless keyboard and touchpad when I need to do so. That is usually only when I type a lot. I do have a chatpad both for an Xbox One controller and a DualShock 4 controller that works fine for typing in most cases.