We've been getting pretty cosy with Final Fantasy XI recently, and while porting various existing massively multiplayer games to the 360 is very much sought-after, we're hoping that developers will really take the 360 into account for some upcoming titles. Here's a wishlist of features we'd like to see in 360 MMOs:
Full Xbox Live integration
Rather than have separate friends lists for the game and for Xbox Live, link the two together so you can see what your Live friends are doing. Similarly, have the MMO provide a series of achievements to boost your gamerscore--anything from hitting the maximum level to logging a certain number of hours or defeating a particular boss.
Sensible fees
One problem with existing MMO models as ported to the 360 is monthly charging--as Xbox Live already charges, scrap the game's monthly fee altogether. Instead, use an optional micropayment model based on Microsoft Points to unlock content or, if the economy is designed well, convert points into in-game cash.
Voice power
Provide multiple multi-person private voice channels, allowing quest parties, guilds and friends to converse together, and allow them to be created automatically--for example, when a party is formed. Provide good-quality voice transforms to allow players to gender-bend their voice as well as their avatar.
Console friendly
With a clear interface that's easy to read on a normal television, and an input system designed with the Xbox 360 controller in mind, an MMO on the 360 must remember what platform it's on. No scrolling lines of indecipherable text--no hard-drive install--take a leaf out of console RPGs' design and keep it simple.
Fight! Fight!
Take advantage of the immediacy of the console to make fighting more interactive, requiring input from the user such as pressing the right trigger to slash a sword. Auto-attack should still be an option, however. Clever use of shoulder buttons, ABXY and the D-pad should mean a large set of abilities can be invoked during combat. PvP should be fast-moving, skill-based and integrated into every level of the game.
Interoperability
Let 360 players game with their PC buddies, let international players group together, and address problems of platform equality (for example, it's easier to hack game files on a PC client) from the very start.
It's a tough list to satisfy, but we're hoping.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-16-2006 @ 10:46PM
Lt Vadali said...
These are all desirable things and I don't think mmos will succeed on a console without these things. Although I feel strongest that they should really due away with those monthly fees and just stick with xbox live. I am not going to pay an additional fee.
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 4:52AM
dan said...
Full Xbox Live integration
I can't argue with this, if I'm just grinding skills or levels I want the option of getting invitations to play DOA or whatever.
Sensible fees
Doing away with extra fees is a great idea. They should totaly run dozens of servers, each hosting an epic game world, each capable of thousands of simultaneous connections, for no money. Incedently you should start running the entire joystiq network with no advertising. You don't need money to run servers right?
Voice power
Flexible communication options, yes. Voice transforms, no. Voice transforms aren't going to get any better and they're an abomination that should be dragged out and shot right now. I'm so sick of idiots with 'robot voices' or even 'female voices' saying "risle fra. gen fin see deel." And when you invariably ask "what?" they yell "RISLE FRA. GEN FIN SEE DEEL!" like you're the idiot...
Console friendly
I think you should stick with purely console RPGs.
Fight! Fight!
I love the 360 controller, It's honestly my favorite console controller ever. but people need to stop pretending that it's the best possible input for all games. What you're describing has already been done, it's called world of warcraft, and you need a keyboard and mouse to play it. You can already hook up the keyboard to the 360, add a mouse and the controll problems for mmos go away. Or you can pretend there's something sacred about console conrollers keep complaining about how your controller isn't up to the task of doing any of a hundred things, at a seconds notice, without a menu, while your caracter is in motion. "hang on a sec! I can only access 16 abillities at one time!" that's gonna go over realy well what with PvP being fast-moving, skill-based and integrated into every level of the game.
Interoperability
aren't PC and PS2 FF XI players opperating on the same servers now? is there any reson to immagine that 360 players won't be when the closed beta is over? why is this point even in this list?
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 5:51AM
Adam-James said...
Microsoft need to get Sonic Team involved. Shower them with cash and let them work their magic.
PSO was amazing, and even better once it reached the Xbox... Full Xbox Live support etc..
If they made PSU for Xbox360, im sure they would do the same. And take 'hunters licence' fees through the standard 360 stuff.
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 8:15AM
mike said...
I think MMORPGs where built for consoles. I played guild wars on my pc but got bored because I dont like sitting at my computer for long gaming sessions. I would be much more inclined to play an mmorpg if I was lying on my bed and could move positions easily when I start to cramp up.
That being said, they need to make the controller good for playing the game just like the mouse and keyboard. This isint a FPS or RTS, a mouse and keyboard does not change the game for the better. They could easily make good controles for controllers ( PSO comes to mind )
Nect, they need to be free over xbox live. Dont say this is not possible, because it deffenitly is. I played guild wars because it was free. Ive never played WOW in my life and I never will because I refuse to pay for a game individually. Having users pay for xbox live, then again paying for 1 game, is complete BS. I pay for xbox live because its $50 a year, and lets me play HUNDREDS of games. If I had to pay for each game individually I would never do it (even if I only played 1 game). Its just not worth the value.
And after playing guild wars, I know mmo Free can be done so you would be an idiot to pay for any of them. PSO used xbox live (I think), so other MMORPGS can to.
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 10:20AM
PublicDeviance said...
I dont see cross platform mmo's getting extremely popular with the 360, there will probably be more focus on 360 only mmo's. Too many problems when trying the make a fair combination of pc/mouse vs. controller. Either one or the other.
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 10:46AM
PublicDeviance said...
I dont see cross platform mmo's getting extremely popular with the 360, there will probably be more focus on 360 only mmo's. Too many problems when trying the make a fair combination of pc/mouse vs. controller. Either one or the other.
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 3:51PM
dan said...
Guild Wars isn't an mmo. If you check out their official website ArenaNet themselves don't consider Guild Wars an mmo. Other than the towns the entire game is instanced. Don't get me wrong it's not a bad game and I can totaly see why other people like it, but the comparison you're making just doesn't work.
Reply
1-17-2006 @ 5:10PM
Lt Vadali said...
Perhaps instead of those monthly fees they could replace the load screens with advertising... They've even got that new gaming advertising company...
Reply