[MUD-Dev2] NASA MMO new details

[Vincent Archer]

The NASA request was discussed briefly here early, but the newest
request for proposal is now available here:

	http://ipp.gsfc.nasa.gov/MMO/MMO_RFP.pdf

It does not include all the details that came at the various meetings
for discussion on the proposal, but basically there's a bit more
data.

The interesting bit is that the budget for the MMO evaporated. Instead
of $3m of sponsoring, there's now point 8 in the RFP:

8. No funding requirements from NASA.

Basically, the newest proposal requires a developpment of an
educational MMO, but with zero funding. They'll help you during
development by giving privileged access to in-house experience
(NASA scientists, real NASA/JPL/etc designs) and some form of
advertising and product placement (basically, you get to put the
NASA logos all over the game for better recognition, and NASA will
push your game in its communication), but you are expected to get
investors from... somewhere, and make a profit from the game itself.

Which makes an interesting conundrum, because, although the proposal
acknowledges several keypoints ("it is recognized that any game that
sacrifices good game play will be inherently limited as a learning
tool."), the goals on which your game might become "the NASA MMO"
are - IMHO - severely crippling for a mass-market MMO.

Let's see:

- You need your MMO to have a relatively mass appeal to be viable
  commercially;
- But, your MMO must be useable as part of a school curriculum,
  including metrics for players' learning and guide future career
  choices.

To me, the two goals seem severely orthogonal, or even diametrally
opposite. I can think of several designs of commercially (or
potentially commercially) viable games that can be space-based,
realistic, even inspiring for the younger generations; but as soon
as I get to infuse edutainment in it... I'm stumped.

(not that I'm trying to respond to the RFP, anyway. if you're
 paranoid, we can restart this discussion after June 18th, and the RFP
 due date)

-- 
	Vincent Archer			Email:	archer at frmug.org

All men are mortal.  Socrates was mortal.  Therefore, all men are Socrates.
							(Woody Allen)