Why Console MMORPGs Can’t Cut It
Filed under: MMORPG Related, Opinion
Yesterday, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated that there would be no MMORPGs on the Wii. This got me to thinking about why there aren’t many MMORPGs on consoles, they definitely have a large player base than the PC. Now correct me if I’m wrong, but currently the only MMORPGs that have been released to consoles have been Phantasy Star, Final Fantasy XI and EverQuest Online Adventures. Phantasy Star appearing on both DreamCast and Xbox 360, FFXI on Xbox360 and PS2 and EQ just on PS2. Wow, who knew they ported EQ to the PS2? Anyway, even with Microsoft’s Xbox Live service there were no MMORPG on the first Xbox and there are currently none on PS3, although there are a few that have been announced for the PS3.
So whats stopping consoles makers from releasing a successful MMORPG on there given platform? I mean if the dying PC gaming market can boost dozens of MMORPGs with 10’s of Millions of gamers, why can’t console makers?
It comes back to the fact that PC’s are just a better gaming platform then consoles for certain genres of gaming. MMORPG’s and RTS games are just not as good as they are on a PC and probably never will be. But lets break down what that really means.
Communication - Obviously a big part of MMORPGs. Using a controller is not an option when you need to communicate in-game. So you need to either get a headset or a keyboard if your console supports it. This adds to the cost which might turn away some console gamers as keyboards can be expensive.
Interface - The interface of MMORPGs today is very point and click. This again can’t be done quick enough with a controller to make it effective. A controller only has so many buttons. Have you seen some of the MMORPGs today? In LOTRO I had 4 complete bars full of actions, items and skills so that I could use them instantly. Having 8 buttons just isn’t good enough.
Fees - Gamers are already paying a monthly fee on Xbox Live, so to charge them again per MMO, would be pushing it. I think developers know this and are worried that the player base will be very small because of it. On the other hand P3’s online service is free, so go figure.
Information - Ask any MMORPG player and I would guess that 99% of them have used websites while playing to find locations, complete quests or just to find out what to do next. This isn’t possible on a console. Theres no CTRL + ALT + Delete to minimize your game, check out a map of your gaming world then quickly switch back. If you want to use your consoles browser, well your looking at at least 5 mins before you get back into your game. Log out, open browser, search, log back into game, not to mention all the loading screens. Or you can go to your PC to find the info. Then again, I have 2 monitors so I have all my info right next to my screen while I play, can’t do that on a console.
Competition - Consoles have a much larger gaming library compared to the PC. Sure the PC gets all the best games 
but they can’t match the volume of games produced by console makers. I would think this might have some impact on developers worried that they would not be able to keep a hold on gamers like the PC can. With a major game release what seems almost on a monthly basis, console gamers might move on too quickly.
System Hog - MMORPGs are single player games when it comes to the console. So if you have a MMORPG gamer on a console, they are not only hogging the console to themselves, but also the TV. I WANT TO WATCH AMEICAN IDOL DAMMIT!! (j/k)
So what can console makers do to get a piece of the MMORPG pie? We’ll they can make there next console a PC 
February 8th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
i believe that some of your statements are correct but i still think that the best mmo will be console exclusive. If they add more action and more intuitive controls then I would say for sure they could make the mmo for the console and it would be a lot more fun than just clicking a guy and watching you guy kill him while you cue up random moves for him instead it could be you directly control your character and do not just tell him to go attack some one and then watch as your sequence of attacks is carried out
February 8th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Age of Conan is set to be released on XBox 360 which I feel may be the next true test of MMORPGs on console platform. Depending on how AoC does on Xbox, it may show just how successful MMOs can be for consoles. You bring up many of the important points, but I would like to add one. Screen Rsolution. Xbox 360 has a screen resolution of 1280×720 (720p) which is much lower than many monitors that support 1280×1024, 1440×900, and 1600×1200. Screen real estate is very important when you start adding up all those raid and action bars.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
Who uses ctrl-alt-del to alt-tab out to their browser?? You open the browser before you go in, then you swap out as necessary.
Consoles will never be good MMORPG platforms until there is a new control scheme. It is strange that Nintendo is saying they won’t consider MMORPGs, since their system is the only one on the market with the controller hardware to adapt effectively to an MMORPG in an effective way. What if, instead of having layers of hotkeys for powers, you used the Wii-mote to perform little movements that trigger spell casting? You could use the same controller for melee, for ranged attacks . . . it could be a true revolution in how MMORPGs are played.
True, it would never be as *complex* as PCs can be, and as such will never replace PC MMORPGS, but I could present an argument that if you have to play with four full layers of hotkeys stacked up that, as a developer, you are starting to miss the mark when it comes to complexity in play.
One way you can help get to this is with hard drives or flash memory on consoles where you can store customized chains of actions rather than have to individually perform 15 different movements. Or hell, incorporate voice commands into spellcasting along with movement. These aren’t portable systems such that you’re going to have to worry about shouting in public the way you have to do with some current DS games.
If Sony and Microsoft decide in the next generation or two to follow Nintendo when it comes to control schemes, you’ll see some intrepid developer take the plunge with a radical control scheme on new controller hardware, possibly incorporating voice.
Unlike the last post here, this one is not just possible, but likely within the next two generations of consoles. Given the large potential market, this is a given.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
how do you switch to your browser without ctrl-alt-del? Alt-tab? Do you play in a window?
February 8th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I don’t know what to tell you guys. I open up Firefox. I start LoTRO or WOW (not windowed, full screen). Mid-game, when I need to swap to the browser . . . alt-tab. Bang, I’m out to the browser. When I’m done, click on the game down on the taskbar and bang, back in.
Are you guys seriously saying that doesn’t work for you?
February 9th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Most games allow you to Alt-Tab and minimize the game correctly. Older games did not, but I usually play in a window anyway, so no issue for me switching back and forth.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
alt-tab works, i just use ctrl+alt+delete cause im just used to using it
February 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
dont agree with this, with the old ps2 u could play online monter hunter with a usb keyboard….
“Sure the PC gets all the best games”
question, are you the GOD of humans to decide what is good and what is not? cause i like soul calibur and tekken online, but i cant find them on your godly platform.
this article fails, try harder.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
plz take notice of the
next to that comment. that means don’t take it seriously.