Loading... The Console-ation of MMOs in 2009

[Ethec]

2008 was the year of the PvP-focused MMORPG. Will 2009 be the year of the console MMO? SOE updates from CES 2009 and the possible impact of going console are on tap for discussion in today's Loading...

We also have an new Wizard 101 review, a Runes of Magic dual class preview, another great TR editorial from Sav, and a new Geeked comic that I will say nothing about, except that Charlie Brown will make an appearance. See it all in Loading... The Console-ation of MMOs in 2009.

[Areruthalion]

GTA IV is a good example of where PC meets console games. Yes it is an FPS, but you can go play pool and generally kill folks on it. It is interesting as PC players are generally better at killing from distance, but up close and personal the consoles have it due to auto aim. (I have to say sniping with a mouse on the PSG is much fun when the enemy have to drive another 200 yards to get in range with their x-box controller lol). I am looking forward to a proper console in MMO game as it is interesting with the chat too, they have to be on voice really.

[Lizante]

Being old school, I'd like to see PC and console kept totally separate.

Console has its uses, but the worst thing would be to see top PC MMOs being dumbed down/scaled down to fit into a console (take your pick which one) format.

I'm not too concerned ATM, since most of the birthing pangs being bandied about regarding console MMOs are coming from companies I wouldn't ever trust again (SOE) and/or involve game genres that I don't care for (i.e., DC Universe, Champions on Line and any FPS).

[Sardu]

Even though there tends to be a sharp divide between vocal supporters of the 360 and PS3 (just look at the hornets nest kicked up on Metacritic re: Gears 2 and LBP), I still think Champions is going to ultimately set the tone for how successful the concept is received.

Media outlets will no doubt look to Champions as a benchmark moving forward - so if Champions is successful on the 360, expect a lot of positive talk once the Agency rolls around. If it flops, I expect the exact opposite, with a general buzz of, "Well, it didn't work for Champions, so I don't see how SOE is going to pull it off".

I still see this as "testing the waters" to see if the concept will float at all. If there were a genuine push towards consoles as a primary platform we wouldn't be looking at PC as the lead-off SKU at launch. That in mind, the idea comes down to an attempt at expanding the overall market rather than replacing the one that already exists.

[Reavi]

Well, does anyone know of how the numbers are for xbox/ps sales of FFXI? Since that is the earliest cross platform MMO that I know of, that could be a decent look at it.