Comments on: The 3 Requirements For MMO Game Creation (K27)

By: Porter

Porter — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:37:20 +0000

One of my first ever blog articles was about this same idea, jumping in head first. You really can’t just create an MMO, creating a classic arcade style game such as space invaders is enough work in itself, there’s just too much to learn. Even if you knew what you were doing, the lag issues, and actual marketing of the game, is a massive task. Nice post, I definitely agree.

By: Iain

Iain — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:15:14 +0000

Sorry forgot to check back on my comment so please forgive the slight necroing here :-D

@Juuso – not yet, I’m currently debating using UnityPlayer or one of the 3D flash libs in the next version of our browser based rts AOW 4025
I obviously enjoy pain ;-)

By: Juuso

Juuso — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:34:27 +0000

@Iain: with browser games… at least you aren’t doing a 3D mmorpg… ;)

@Lumooja: :)

@JC: So true.

@Brian: indeed. Good points. Added you to the list of requirements ;)

By: Brian 'Psychochild' Green

Brian 'Psychochild' Green — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:02:21 +0000

I’d add one more thing.

4. You should know your history.

I think this is a crucial step in what many people overlook in game development, but it’s especially true in MMO development. Knowing what has gone on in the past keeps you from making the same stupid mistakes.

For example, many people talk about making an MMORTS. “Why has nobody done this before?” I’ve heard people say, “I have this tremendous idea for one!” Except they don’t realize it’s been tried a few times before. Sony Online, flush with the success of the original EverQuest, was going to make an MMORTS called Sovreign. Long story short, they canceled the project. If Sony at the height of their MMO dominance couldn’t make an MMORTS, then mere mortals should pause. Of course, there actually have been a few MMORTS games, mostly Korean, such as Shattered Galaxy.

The fact that there is no popular, existing game that uses your idea may not mean nobody thought of it. It may instead mean the idea couldn’t be done successfully, or the idea languishes in relative obscurity. Of course, a real game developer/mad(wo)man will simply state that previous implementation wasn’t good enough. Still, knowing your history will tell you why that idea didn’t work out previously and help you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Did I mention I do consulting on MMO development? ;)

By: Ovogame

Ovogame — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:54:56 +0000

Actually, you don’t need to be that specific:

There’s a big gap between the following things:
“I have an idea for a game”
“I’ve now finished my game”

That work the same ;)

By: Lumooja

Lumooja — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 10:31:06 +0000

That’s why I call my game project MO, and not MMORPG.
I’m happy when it runs with a few players, and the basic things work.

By: Iain

Iain — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:46:41 +0000

“You absolutely must be 27 years old or older”

Haha, I’ve got to say I absolutely agree with that :D
Although to be fair I started when I was 25 and I wish I’d waited till I was a bit older :(

I would also say you must have completed and released at least 5 commercial games.

Iain