The Daily Grind: Are consoles the future?

by Samuel Axon Sep 25th 2008 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Age of Conan, MMO industry, The Agency, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Consoles, Free Realms, DC Universe Online

The MMO genre was born and raised in the PC culture. The reasons are obvious, of course -- personal computers have been connected to networks for a long time, the keyboard was more effective for communication before the advent of Voice-over-IP. That said, a lot has been done to make platforms like the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 more attractive for MMO developers and players.

Funcom plans to release Age of Conan for the 360. DC Universe Online, The Agency, and Free Realms will all be available on the PS3. In fact, noted MMO developer SOE was not long ago moved into what is basically Sony's PlayStation division with the explicit intent to focus on console MMOs. Blizzard has hired workers with console experience to work on its unannounced "Next-Gen MMO." Clearly, this generation is going to greatly expand on the pioneering efforts of past console MMOs like Final Fantasy XI. Surely if the genre doesn't explode on today's consoles it will in the next batch, right?

Are you looking forward to leaving behind the mouse and keyboard so you can lounge on the sofa with a wireless controller, or are you concerned that too much will be lost in translation? Maybe you think that attempts like The Agency will fail, and the bubble will burst before anyone even really notices it. There are a lot of problems, such as the expense and hassle of the process of authenticating patches in a tightly-controlled service like Xbox Live. Are problems like that deal breakers?

Tags: 360, age-of-conan, consoles, dc-universe-online, discussion, free-realms, opinion, playstation-3, playstation-network, ps3, psn, tdg, the-agency, the-daily-grind, xbox-360, xbox-live

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mikejl said on 8:41AM 9-25-2008

If they can get around me paying for an on-line service (i.e. XBOX live) AND monthly sub.

Keyboard + mouse > controller for MMO gaming.

So PC wins IMO.

DePetri said on 9:52AM 9-25-2008

When first good MMO comes to consoles, I'm in.
Keyboard as a gaming device is horrible, especially for movement.

barth said on 10:06AM 9-25-2008

That's why you use your mouse to move. Use your keyboard for skills and to type.

barth said on 10:03AM 9-25-2008

I just don't see how you can have as in-depth an experience without a mouse and keyboard. And if you add some type of peripheral keyboard or mouse to a console well... it's pretty much a computer at that point.

Controllers work better for certain types of games, but I don't see how you can do an MMO with one unless you dumb down the experience incredibly. Can you imagine trying to play a Shaman with a 5 button controller?

Samuel Axon said on 10:03AM 9-25-2008

To be fair, both the 360 and the PS3 have 21 buttons plus two analog sticks, and that's not counting things like pressure-levels on the triggers on the 360 and and on the triggers and the four face buttons on the PS3, or the Sixaxis functionality on the PS3 which is also analog (more or less infinite input possibilities on each analog item, like a mouse).

And that's not accounting for functionality when using two or more of those buttons at the same time.

I'm just sayin'. ;)

Ozmodan said on 10:15AM 9-25-2008

Problem with consoles as mentioned above, in pvp a mouse keyboard player owns a controller user almost every time. Huge difference.

Secondly, while a controller has a lot of buttons, it is a lot harder to remember what all those buttons do while a PC player usually has it on screen all the time what his buttons do.

While these MMO developers want the money from the console market, you have to wonder how simplified they will make these games to lessen or eliminate the above problems.

Personally, I have great doubts I would even play such a game. The main thing most of us like about MMO's is the complexity. Remove that and it is just another console game.

Kalain said on 10:55AM 9-25-2008

Nope. A console MMO will just be another console game. You will be stuck with a completely static interface and will have to put up with what Sony/Microsoft deem suitable for their console. How would you speak to other players without the use of comms software? You couldn't since you would need to plug in a Keyboard, and if you are going to do that.. might as well plug in a mouse.

With PC MMO's the developer is free to do whatever they want with it without having to bow down to the console manufacturer.

The Keyboard and mouse combo is, simply, the best way of playing an MMO. A console controller is just too limiting for what MMO's offer.

No, I won't be going to a console MMO as it will be the poor relative to the PC MMO's.

Tasogare said on 11:12AM 9-25-2008

I would cite examples of how DCU and Champions both look...way over simplified. Those games don't look (at least right now) to be anything more than gimmicky, and that gets old quick.

Henry said on 11:12AM 9-25-2008

Yes, I would love a console MMO - for the larger player base if nothing else. Make it more action-ish and everyone would come running.

I think Tabula Rasa would have been a good candidate, but now it's already marred by its own reputation. Make sure to port Blade & Soul - you hear me NCsoft?

Colsey said on 11:45AM 9-25-2008

A few years ago I was selected to do a beta for EQ on PS2. I gave it a whirl for about 10 minutes before I realized I couldn't type, couldn't interact, and simply was frustrated from the lack of a mouse and keyboard.

Tony said on 11:55AM 9-25-2008

A mouse and keyword is only important for MMORPGs as long as controls and UIs are designed around them. When every last MMORPG of note has taken this route, of course a console controller seems less useful. I'm positive there are ways to work around this and some upcoming console MMORPGs seem to be doing it rather well from the sound of things.

If nothing else, the PS3 does allow a mouse and keyboard (the 360 just allows keyboard). Both have chat pads as well for other things, if really necessary.

I don't know that it'll ever be the "future" in the sense that these things will start to only focus on consoles... but honestly, if I made a game that could rather easily be ported from the PC and would bring my company more subscription money, why wouldn't I port it?

Nuutador said on 1:13PM 9-25-2008

Keyboard and Mouse FTW!

FPS games are better in PC, Driving games are better in PC, etc. Some like consoles and say that they fit for them. That's fine. I'm still gonna stay in PC camp and am more horrified with playing with consoles.

Many games that i've played with consoles just can't compare with games designed to PC. Matter of opinion of course.

MMO's in PC, my final words! =)

ChuckD said on 1:31PM 9-25-2008

I don't think it will in the future. PC gaming seems like it'll make a return after this generation of consoles. If they make the mistake of having the consoles bigger and badder.

I like consoles because you don't have to upgrade to keep up with the newest games but I also like the PC because that's what I grew up on.

But if you're gonna make a game for consoles, you should keep it to that. PC users IMO would dominate if they went up against console players. Especially if it was an FPS. MMO's I'm sure PC people would do better as well.

CHEKM8 said on 10:27PM 12-21-2008

This games gonna suck, the micro payment is just like pissing in my face and telling me its raining. Bad try by another crappy development team! Sony runs things into the ground just like EA and soon to be like NCsoft! Most of you might disagree with me, but when this piece of nonart comes out and a month or two later theres only as many people as TR, im gonna laugh at all of you suckers! :) This is a: DB (Don't Buy)