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Good Idea, Bad Idea: MMO Games

Category: Online Games Game: Default Posted on Dec 25, 2008 3:22 am


Welcome to the very first issue of “Good Idea, Bad Idea!” This article series is pretty much self-explanatory. It’s an opinionated discussion of gaming’s good and bad ideas, be it from the past, present or future. There will, of course, be facts presented, just to enlighten the readers about the background of a certain game or system or whatnot.

In this debut issue, we tackle the MMO world’s good and bad ideas for a game. What games should be out there? What games should not be lifted off the drawing board? This article also lists down some “stalemates,” ideas placed in between good and bad, ideas that are neutral because of the balance set by the good and bad reasons.

Please do note that this list is very much limited. Surely, I cannot list all the possible good and bad ideas in one go. You can add your own good and bad ideas related to this topic by posting it as a comment down below.

Before any bashings about this article, the existence of my genitalia, my sexual preference, or the existence of my brain, please read this disclaimer:
Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect that of MMOsite or anyone else’s. This article was written on the viewpoint of the writer alone. The writer is not responsible for any disagreements caused by this article. The article is subject to change without further notice (due to correction in facts or evidence). However, no changes will be made in yielding to another person’s opinion.

In short: This is my article, this is my opinion. Your attempts to change my opinion will be futile. You may concur or disagree with the content, you may voice it out, but it ends there.

Now on with the article!

Good Idea: Pokemon / Digimon Online


This is in relation to Shin Megami Tensei’s online game. Pet raising is quite a challenge and a worthy addition to any MMORPG. So why not have an online game geared for the younger audiences? Pokemon and Digimon do have the qualifications for an ideally successful online game. It has an extensive list of pet/monster species. The setting of the game is vast. The plot is open-ended. It can feature PvP (Pet versus Pet) battles, and tournaments can be aplenty.

Bad Idea: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Children Online


To enlighten everyone, Devil Children is the child-friendly demon-raising game of Atlus. It was released in Japan only for the Game Boy Color and was also remade for the Playstation 1. The game features the same (or even more) amount of demons found in MegaTen Online, with the difference of having the game character as a child (about 10 years old perhaps). It can be at par with Pokemon or Digimon, if not better. But what made it bad? Let’s just say educating children about demons, the occult and the complexities of the topic are inappropriate for their age.



Good Idea: Dune Online


The bestselling Dune book series written by Frank Herbert in 1965 has spun-off in to a movie trilogy of the same name and a series of PC games. Although most of the PC games garnered generally scathing reviews due to its gameplay, it still gained cult status amongst fans and newbies alike. The Dune lore has an extensive story, even bigger than Lord of the Rings. It has numerous political plot twists, and the setting spans different planets, run by characters of different races. This title can be one solid MMO game, of an RPG or RTS genre, and could make it as a sleeper hit or one of the top contenders.

Really Bad Idea: Twilight… Online?!


Mass media has been virally advertising the Twilight series around for quite some time now. The teeny-bopper movie (with vampires thrown in for the heck of it), based on the first book, has also garnered immense success. The book may be fit for the big screen, but having a virtual world filled with sparkly vampires, narcissistic necrophiliac women, stalker-type werewolves, and a marred story due to gaping plotholes? It doesn’t seem like a good idea. We’ve had enough of “Edward” and “Bella” wannabes. They’re already walking around in other MMO games.




Good Idea: Wizard 101


Wizard 101 is another game geared for the kids (and kids-at-heart too). The game is very casual, the story is easy to digest, and the general ambience is both relaxing and exciting. Wizard 101 used the wizardry and magic fame from Harry Potter and related books as their stepping stone, thus garnering interest from families and the younger audience. Their only flaw is the subscription option…
 
Stalemate: Harry Potter Online


Just the same as the Twilight fame, Harry Potter has earned a place in the bad idea limelight. The movies, books, console games and other merchandise are enough. The gaping plotholes and Harry/Ron/Hermione/Luna/Snape-wannabes would only add more insult to injury. But, balanced by these, the Harry Potter world has features that can be possible in an MMO, like the Quidditch games, wizard sparring sessions (in the form of PvP), and possibly a long list of wizard skills.

Another Stalemate: Wizardry game series, online version


The Wizardry series has been a popular dungeon-crawling RPG since the 1980’s. It has 9 games in the series, numerous spin-offs, and has inspired other developers to create games with the similar look and feel of the series. Balancing out this idea are the aspects of a heavy grind, stereotypical races and jobs, and plot similar to Lord of the Rings or related fantasy titles.

Bad Idea: Wizards of Waverly Place… Online


I admit Selena Gomez and Jennifer Stone are cute. But those are the only reasons for a guy to watch this series with the children. An online version won’t help at all.




Good Idea: Halo / Half-Life/Doom Online


I think we’re having a lack of futuristic action FPS games that don’t heavily rely on PvP or deathmatches. Half-life and Doom’s high-tech-facility-crawling escapades and Halo’s planet-side journeys are appropriate settings for an MMOFPS, with the deathmatch feature just an optional part of the game.

Bad Idea: Duck Hunt


Hunting ducks… online? ‘Nuff said.




Good Idea: Final Fantasy VIII


The SeeDs could possibly return for an online spin-off of the popular Final Fantasy game. This game’s online version can feature Garden-versus-Garden battles and tournaments, vast dungeons, different classes from the Final Fantasy fame, and huge maps from different timelines.

Stalemate: Final Fantasy VII


There’s no stopping Cloud and Sephiroth’s celebrity status, especially when Square Enix continues to bank on the success of the Final Fantasy VII story, having spin-offs, prequels and sequels under the game. An online version can offer the same complex materia system, faction-versus-faction battles between SOLDIER, Turks, DeepGround, and Wutai rebels, and epic event-only boss battles of the Weapons (Emerald and Ruby to name a few). Stalemating this idea is the thought of Square Enix using this game title as their cash cow. Square’s pushing the idea too much.

Bad Idea: Kingdom Hearts Online


The Kingdom Hearts franchise might have been a huge success in the past years, but considering the idea of an online version is still too farfetched. The persistent world of Kingdom Hearts is still too small for millions of players to explore. Job classes are still pretty much limited and imbalanced in favor of the melee-type Keyblade wielder (which becomes a magic caster and summoner too, on different occasions).




Good Idea: Suikoden Online


The idea of gathering 108 heroes opens new doors to online gameplay. Numerous combos, hundreds of different possible teams to choose from, and hours of play can make this Konami game into an online possibility.

Bad Idea: Silent Hill’s Online Version


Here’s another game that simply cannot transition to the online world. Konami’s Silent Hill focuses more on the stories of the character’s psyche. The story and the setting are aspects too “small” for use in an online game.  

Another Bad Idea: Resident Evil Online


Since we’ve tackled the area of survival horror genre, another successful franchise is Capcom’s Resident Evil. Puzzle-solving and zombie-killing is Resident Evil’s forte, but a shift to an online version can turn this game into a boring romp. An online game of tirelessly fighting endless numbers of zombies surely tests your patience. Survival horror genres are stories with closure, something that online games do not usually have.
 


 

Good Idea: Super Smash Bros. Online


We’re looking at a Grand Chase/ Rumble Fighter contender. The Smash Bros. series is still one of the most exciting console fighting games around, and an online version is no different. This game can be played casually as a stress-reliever, or seriously if you’re one of the gamers looking to open a can o’ whoopass.

Bad Idea: Guilty Gear’s online version


The limited number of characters (lesser than the Street Fighter series), severely imbalanced characters, and the presence of “Destroyer” moves (1-hit KO moves) are reasons to shelf this game as an online venture. It’s better off as a console game instead.

Another Bad Idea: WWE, TNA or any professional wrestling entertainment titles


The wrestling shows and the console games have attracted both young and old. The create-a-wrestler feature showcases very limited options, and pay-per-view events are scheduled on a limited “monthly” basis. An online version may still present this limitation, along with limited move choices and the slim chance of making it big in the main events. Let’s keep fake wrestling in the confines of our television instead.
 



And that ends our long list of good and bad ideas. This list goes to show that not all games or books or other related media can be transitioned into online games. There are other ideas out there related to this topic. You may post your ideas in the comments section.

Have fun gaming and Happy Holidays!

 

comments ( 25 )

lucu
Post Time : Feb 17,2009 8:07 am

Lmao Twilight online ...   this is a nice article to read lol

Windi3
Post Time : Jan 05,2009 10:50 am

Wizards of Waverly Place Online roflol~! REALLY REALLY BAD IDEA~! stupid disney

elite_swordsman
Post Time : Jan 02,2009 1:58 am

btw there is digimon online write in youtube and watch yourself rofl

Kastiknoriu
Post Time : Dec 31,2008 2:23 pm

 simply by seeigng few sentences i get ur idea and i agree with it i got the basic idea in other words still dissagree on some games

12345532
Post Time : Dec 31,2008 11:19 am

No where in your article do you mention these ideas would be for the PC. Please mention this in your article to

clarify what you are talking about. Thank you.

Andaleon replied at 11:31 am Dec 31,2008
no thanks.
but hey, here's a heads-up. i bolded out "MMO world" for good reason. I prefer that people use their brains and assume that the ideas would be for the PC.
Athelfirth
Post Time : Dec 31,2008 12:49 am

"kawai" monsters and characters , they never release something that worths playing , they release their own servers so only eastern people can acces them , in this way they cut the contact with the players fron the western world and so eastern young children lose themselves in this imaginary world . One thing to say : "WAKE UP !"

Shooting Ducks ? .... what kind of crappy example is that ? You can't make an MMO out of everything if at least it's not popular . It's a bad idea offcourse and I agree to you . Looks like an old game too .

Harry Potter ? ... I got sick of hearing about those British actors . I got sick of seeing Daniel Redcliff's face everywhere I go . I don't understand what people see at this dork . Making an MMO out of it will only return the point to the "original things".Only the wizard university is something original . ^^

Silent Hill and Resident Evil are horror games . Also there is almost nothing mithological present in them in order to make an MMO out of it . I agree to your point .

I agree to the rest of the titles like Pokemon ; Digimon ; Super Smash Bros etc. because they are suitable for eastern people who like cute things and for the little children who begin their great journey into the world of MMO's .

Athelfirth
Post Time : Dec 31,2008 12:48 am

First of all , I don't agree with the idea of making an MMO out of Halo ; Doom and Half Life . They already have multiplayer included .They are the same as an MMO but the only difference is that your character will never evolve ,it will always be the same and the game will depend only on the player's skill . First Person Shooters are just bad games to be made MMO's . Soldier Front ; Crossfire and other FPS MMO's are just epic failures .

Almost all the MMORPG's are the same . They all have magic ; monsters ; actions happening in an unknown period . If you go and check the description of some MMORPG's here at MMO site , at all of them you will see people leaving comments like " this game is a WOW clone " . People just got obsesed by World of Warcraft and they now think that every MMO has stolen the things you find in WOW .Brining other MMORPGs to life will mean more people accusing each other for breaking each other's copyrights. What I want to say is that the producers are out of ideas , and if we make an MMO out of every saga like Lord of The Rings ; Dune ; World of Warcraft etc. , then people will find alot of similarities between them and will soon lose their interest in them , because none of them has something original .

Hei Zanpakutou , maybe us , the western people , look at the creatures in a bad way because we don't want to lose our minds in an imaginary world like you asians do . Sometimes we have to scare our children so we can maintain them in the reality . As for you , the eastern people , you all apreciate those demons and to make the young ones attracted to them , you make the monsters look cute . But let me tell you ,  all you do is to make children obsesed with ANIMEs ; MANGAs and other imaginary things . What you see in these is not true . I'm not refering only to Japan , I refer to almost all the countries . Korea for example , mass produces alot of crappy MMOs , with alot of "kawai" monsters and c

Kastiknoriu
Post Time : Dec 30,2008 3:01 am

was to lazy to read it but megaten is showing post apocalyptic times wich are because of ppl fault demons coming out too i thing it educates it right way and i didn't see any cults like things in the game but anyway i agree with ur article  

Andaleon replied at 6:14 pm Dec 30,2008
how can you agree if you were too lazy to read the article?
bottled321
Post Time : Dec 28,2008 10:17 am

i dont really get final fantasy VIII because there's already a final fantasy 11 online and except for a few aspects the games more or less the same

 

Andaleon replied at 7:43 pm Dec 28,2008
read: "...online spin-off"
Invasion
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 8:43 pm

 Whatever game developers make, I just hope they make something really worth paying for. Something like World of Warcraft which millions of people don't mind paying US$15 every month for, making a statement about how the game is really worth playing. Many are moneyfaced developers who don't give a damn about producing quality products, and those are the games that I ignore, only to lengthen my wait for the next best thing.

AkatsukiSwordmaster
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 7:49 pm

Good stuff. I wouldnt mind a suikoden online game. lots of stuff to do in there. lol

Kasuga
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 5:18 pm

Many of the games you mention are online already. At one point there were two Resident Evil games that were

online. If you have a 360 or PS3, you can play WWE games.

Andaleon replied at 5:37 pm Dec 27,2008
I meant PC online games, something which you need to download the client, register on the website, install and play. Not something from Xbox Live or PlayOnline or related aspect.
Zanpakutou
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 4:44 pm

the negativity aspects of demons and monsters are mostly a western belief. in most eastern cultues, demons and evil entities are treated with as much respect as the positive gods and not looked down upon by the people which is why the shin megami tensei series is allowed to pursue the path it is. in eastern cultures its a very open topic and people sometimes discuss it in public. plays are put on frequently about them as well where samurais can be borderline slobs and a beggar or prostitute who has a relationship with royalty is fine and children go to watch with their parents. its like the yin and yang. for every good force there is an equal and opposite force that exists. the greater the good, the greater the evil. kids are often involved and forced to pick between good and evil which is vital in many of the shin megami tensei series. most people haven't realized this, but there's a reason why many japanese RPGs focus on teenagers or younger rather than focus on the older characters because younger people do not have set beliefs and the RPG is the journey of the players through the route that can cause them to become good or evil. unfortunately, too many games forces players onto the good route and unable to take the bad route to see the consequences. there are a few games that allow you to do this such as the shin megami tensei series, breath of fire 2, and the persona series and you get to see the consequences of your actions as well.

Andaleon replied at 5:43 pm Dec 27,2008
Hmm? What? Ah okay. Sure yeah. And speaking of Breath of Fire, i havent added that into this list. Maybe in part two. :D
Kasuga
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 9:04 am

Thank you for stating the obvious when it comes to a conversation. Yes, what I say is generally my opinion.

Only a fool would think I was stating facts. I apologize about my third sentence. Wrestling games have been

online for the last couple of years. From what I have played, wrestling games don't make bad online games.

Have you played theses games online? If so, why not mention them in your article.

Andaleon replied at 10:38 am Dec 27,2008
1. Show me these wrestling online games. Give me a link or the client download and I will play them

2. AFAIK, if you read the article, only one or two titles in the list are actually online games (Wizard 101 for instance). Like I said, these are "ideas," and most likely, most of the stuff in the list tackled ideas that haven't come to fruition yet.
Frostboy
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 8:30 am

I personally believe that people dig 2d games. But heres a job example.  If anyone is willing to give me some good idea's for a job, please say so, i already got Dr.Barber, Doctor, Barber, Hair Stylist, Sergeon, Mime, Puppeteer, Puppet Master, Illusionist, Clown, Fool, Joker.  Weapons Are Buzzers, Sissors, Syringe, Pills, Pie, Bombs, Gloves for Mimes, Marionettes, Tricks, Puppets, VooDoo Marionettes (Your character controls a small marionette and theres a bigger version of it doing the fighting in front of you). By The Way, I'm 14 with an explosive Creativity level.  Wish me luck too.

Dr.Barber 1st class, level 10

Skills:

Bad Hair Cut - Weakens Monsters Def up to 60%

Aspirin - Throws a single pill at a monster, up to 270%

Cut - Cuts one deep pierce, up to 320%

Trim - Cuts 3 times quicky, up to 80% a blow

Assistant - Raises Accuracy & Defense up to 40%

Andaleon replied at 10:40 am Dec 27,2008
you might as well post that as a separate article ya know. XD
Kasuga
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 5:51 am

Wrestling games offer much more customization than other games, if not more than most games. Of course any game is going to have its limits. You obviously have never played a wrestling game.

Andaleon replied at 8:23 am Dec 27,2008
Your first two sentences, I do respect because it is your opinion. However, your attempt to judge me and my gaming experience in your third sentence is out of place, flawed, inappropriate and, sad to say, foolish on your part. You don't know me, you don't know my gaming experience therefore you are in no position to judge me in that manner. Here's a smile for you instead :D
(and btw, FYI. I have been playing wrestling games since NES if you want to believe that)
menase2mmo
Post Time : Dec 27,2008 5:02 am

ok I just want to say, it was a nice read but I disagreed with some stuff. Duck Hunt Online would be amazing, you can't diss the duck hunt man haha :B

but no seriously, a lot of good ideas but my mind went into different places in the Silent Hill Online. I personally would think it'd be awesome having to search for supplies in the day time, and when the world changes, having to work as a team to make it till the change back from the dark world. Like it could be a casual online game and not an MMO deal. create a lobby, choose a playing map, each one with different supplies to make different weapons and try to survive the dark world. There can also be a versus kind of like Left 4 Dead where people could play as the monsters and maybe even Pyramid Head. Oooo I jizzed in my pants at the thought of playing as Pyramid Head D:

but yeah that's my basic idea of a Silent Hill Online, but that is because I love Silent Hill and would love to play cooperatively with friends in the game or terrorize the living hell out of people as Pyramid Head...ugh I need a change of undies now D:

Andaleon replied at 8:24 am Dec 27,2008
Whoa, control yerself! XD
furiosknight
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 8:01 pm

You either have a really high IQ or you really worked hard researching the info. Anyways I love this article!

Andaleon replied at 8:25 am Dec 27,2008
and thank you for continually reading my articles! :D
musashi101
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 7:52 pm

wow, i actually agree with everything on this list! XP ive got another one that would be agreat one, but it would be hard to turn into an mmo! naruto online! it would be great, but too many people would choose the same stuff in hopes of becoming a naruto or sauske copy! XD

Andaleon replied at 8:27 am Dec 27,2008
I'm even seeing Itachi and Rock Lee ones XD
tydus1
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 5:08 pm

i agree with you i wanna play pokémon online >_<

 

Andaleon replied at 8:26 am Dec 27,2008
it's a good change of pace from the usual MMO games we see XD
Blazerguy
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 2:21 pm

Now, I would have to agree slightly with the Devil Children game, it's not the type of game christians would like their kids to play. But the upcoming Megaten: Imagine isn't geared towards children, it's meant for people who Played Nocturn or Persona...and let's face it, very few of those people are little kids. XD

Andaleon replied at 9:46 pm Dec 26,2008
I'm a Megaten:IMAGINE CB player (still currently playing). The game's demons are true to the Ars Goetia (Lesser Keys of Solomon) Book descriptions. (Or at least close enough to it).
XD
mikeeboy
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 2:19 pm

Another GREAT IDEA would be NARUTO Online 

Andaleon replied at 9:47 pm Dec 26,2008
I'll tackle that in part 2. XD
Lushy
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 9:14 am

it's not the first one, considering I wrote something like this back in september... ahem. But it's good, just the same.

Andaleon replied at 9:43 pm Dec 26,2008
Waaaah Lushy!!! I'm so sorry! I noticed it just now... I didn't mean to uhh... take the title or the content or the idea... ToT
KuramaShuichi
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 2:35 am

As you said every person have their own opinions, I'd like to share some of mine :). I agree with most of your ideas this time, to tell the truth xD.
About megaten devil children, I don't think it wuold be a bad idea.... games are not meant to educate children about devils and the occult.... the game is just for fun...there would not be any problem imo.
I also disagree about FFVIII .... sorry for their fans but I thinks this game is not even good... (IMO).
I love KH series, but yeah... I have to admit.... to turn it online would be difficult.... and probably terrible.
About everything else, I agree with you man.... (specially NO TWILIGHT ONLINE, YES SUPER SMASH ONLINE xDDDD)

Andaleon replied at 7:31 am Dec 26,2008
Super Smash Online is gonna be awesome if it does come true! I'll be addicted to that game if it happens! XD
kirikki
Post Time : Dec 26,2008 2:31 am

 i actually find your article very true. people really tend to make bad games just for the sake of profits >>

the second thing is i agree with most of what you said however.... a game like Half Life may be a good adaptation in the mmo genre.. but i think it would loose the fantastic feeling of the main characters misterious aura.

Andaleon replied at 8:27 am Dec 27,2008
good point there. You went for the original character's mystique while I reasoned out the more superficial story and setting. :D