[...] Original Post: MMO Predictions for 2009 [...]

[...] in, as are outsiders commentary (like myself). Who could  have predicted something like this? Oh, every-one. The sooth-seeing of a terri-bad launch were so prevalent, it’s hard not to stumble over [...]

[...] Plenty of people put forth their forward-looking posts, and I am going to do it as well.  Whether it is from a Steam-driven library of games, an aging MMO population, an economic recession, or plenty of different business models coming in to the MMO world, I believe that the subscription model of today is nearly done being “the way.”  Walk with me a second… [...]

I dare say that an open-PvP game will require in-game communities to have the ability to police themselves and dish out permanent or long lasting punishments for violating societal norms. Players need their cities to own the land and make laws for the land. From that ownership they should be able to permanently punish a griefer for misbehaving on their lands. Real consequence to non-consensual combat (a.k.a. griefing) is the only way to curb the occurence of it.

Darkfall will fail to become the open-PvP game we all want to see happen because of this and you correctly predict all the pundits saying that UO failed in open-PvP, Shadowbane tried it and failed and now Darkfall failed so it must not be possible to build an open-PvP MMO. WoW’s the only real answer. I hope it doesn’t happen because I happen to be someone that is marching around a open-PvP game design looking for funding and Darkfall failing will make it all that much harder for me.

I’ll be trying Darkfall as a 2nd game to Everquest 2 (and my odd LOTR session), mainly as I like some of the ideas they have. I’m not a pure PvP fan usually but it can make a nice alternative to my main PvE MMORPG gaming session.

I like the idea you learn skills by actually using them and I quite fancy a highwayman type roll as I don’t think enough of my guild will try it to form a branch there.

If anyone does try it out look out for Yetian.

I’m still waiting for the Vanguard type MMO that actually works on release, a kind of next gen Everquest as Vanguard was meant to be, rather than the dumbing down an idea for the masses like Everquest 2 has done. Don’t get me wrong it’s still my favourite MMO but I just wish they had made it more of a challenge. I know aiming to the mass market like WoW is successful but too many try and do that to actual have a successful game in the end. I’d like someone to make an MMORPG for the more mature gamer who likes things not to be handed to him/her on a plate. I’m a casual gamer and I’d like to feel that death has a penalty and I have to work for things a bit.

Are you playing with house money Shwayder?

That said, I’m going to play the heck out of the Lego MMO!

[...] everyone else is playing the MMO prognostications game. Can we play, too? Read on for WorldIV’s predictions for each [...]

AION was released in Novemeber of last year in Korea. I would expect it to be released in EU and US no latter than Q2. If you do a google search you can find some decent live feeds. I’m not at home so I don’t have the links but you can email me later Ryan if you’re curious.

Is Spellborn even doing well overseas?

And I’m still not convinced Darkfail will even release. It’s supposed to come out in a few weeks but with only EU servers.