Brand Loyalty (was Re: [MUD-Dev] Requirements for MM (wasComplexities of MMOG Servers))

[Amanda Walker]

On 12/19/02 11:12 PM, Dubious Advocate <dubiousadvocate at hotmail.com>
wrote:

> Just out of curiosity, do you think E&B and AC2 will make it?

Depends on how you define "make it".  Are they likely to be
category-definers like EQ or even AC1?  No.

> Next year will see the number of absolute offerings nearly triple.
> I think we'll see shakeout.

I think we'll see some shakeout, and some accumulation.

Data point.  I would classify myself as a "casual gamer".  I
currently have active, paid accounts on AC1, AC2, AO, and E&B.  I
have had, but no longer have, accounts on EQ, EQ Legends, and DAOC.
Net after 3 years of commercial MMORPG play?  My membership has
increased 400%, though my "play time" has remained roughly constant.

New games do not necessarily cannibalize existing ones (though I
suspect there is some of that, especially among people who've taken
up game-hopping as a game in itself).  AO, according to the
scuttlebutt, didn't "make it", and E&B is likewise described as a
dud.  I still have fun with both, as do (by direct inspection)
enough other people to keep them going.

One thing I think that has already passed is the chance to capture
the bulk of the entire MMORPG market with one game.  EQ hit the
sweet spot for that, but even SOE is not going to be able to repeat
that feat.  On the other hand, the pie is a lot larger these days.

Amanda Walker


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