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Massively addictive online games by NCsoft only on PS3

For many PC gamers, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game is all they need. Thus far, MMO gaming has largely been a PC-only affair, but with the latest generation of consoles being truly Internet-enabled, the highly addictive gaming genre will soon naturally take root in the living room.

At Sony’s E3 press conference, it was announced that MMO developer NCsoft will make games exclusively for the PlayStation 3. Although company officials did not divulge any details regarding the names or types of games in development, NCsoft did say the games would be created from both existing intellectual properties owned by NCsoft, as well as new ones.

"This is a great step forward for online gaming," said Geoff Heath, CEOof NCsoft Europe. "We are delighted to be working with Sony Computer Entertainment. PS3, with its advanced Cell Broadband Engine and standard hard disc drive on every unit, has already demonstrated it is a truly versatile online platform that gives NCsoft the potential to create massively multiplayer environments. Together with the Internet-enabled PSP, we're confident that SCEI and NCsoft can develop unique and compelling online experiences that will be found on no other platform."

NCsoft is known for its successful online game products such as the Guild Wars and City of Heroes brands and its flagship product Lineage, which has a customer reach of more than 70 million worldwide.

"NCsoft has established itself as one of the preeminent developers in the online space," said Riley Russell, vice president of third party and developer support, Sony Computer Entertainment America. "Their track record of creating successful online games is exactly what we are looking for as we grow the PLAYSTATION Network, delivering new, rich experiences on both PS3 and PSP. SCEI's hardware leadership matched with NCsoft's extensive online experience are the hallmarks of what is sure to be a fruitful relationship for both companies, ultimately benefiting our core audience – the gamer."

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EH?
By Master Kenobi (blog) on 7/12/2007 8:42:05 AM , Rating: 1
Am I the only one that thinks playing RTS, and MMO games on a console simply sucks?

Besides, NCSoft doesn't have any incredible games under their belt. Lineage/Lineage2 is just a grind machine. City of Heroes had potential, but got old pretty fast. Guild Wars was alright, but it kind of sucked having to deal with 80 instances of towns and party up before leaving, etc....




RE: EH?
By webdawg77 on 7/12/07, Rating: 0
RE: EH?
By isorfir on 7/12/07, Rating: 0
RE: EH?
By FITCamaro on 7/12/2007 9:44:21 AM , Rating: 1
You could plug most USB keyboards into the PS2 and use it to type in FFXI. I had it for both versions as well. The PC version had a better frame rate in high population areas, but the PS2 rendered every single person whereas the PC did not. Macros were also a lot more responsive in the PC version.

I mainly used my PS2 for my mule account.


RE: EH?
By FITCamaro on 7/12/07, Rating: -1
RE: EH?
By h0kiez on 7/12/2007 9:01:08 AM , Rating: 4
Nope.

People always want to pit consoled vs. PCs...for me there's never an issue. RTS, MMO, and FPSs should all be played on a PC. Most other games from Sports to driving and most all others should be played on a console.

Seriously, though, one of these days a console mfr. is going to be smart enough to allow us to connect a legit keyboard/mouse combo to a console. Then it'll be a whole different ballgame.


RE: EH?
By InsidiousAngel on 7/12/2007 9:29:10 AM , Rating: 2
According to a PC World review of the PS3 a while back, they were informed then that Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse support was coming in a future update. Microsoft already legally allows USB Keyboards to be used with the 360, just not a mouse yet.


RE: EH?
By h0kiez on 7/12/2007 10:15:30 AM , Rating: 1
Okay...I know that you can technically use a keyboard/mouse on a console, but I guess what I was actully referring to was widespread support in games for using them just as you would on the PC version. AFAIK, you can't just plug a USB mouse and keyboard into a 360 or PS3 and use them in an FPS like you would on the PC...please correct me if I'm wrong.


RE: EH?
By walk2k on 7/12/2007 12:36:40 PM , Rating: 1
You are wrong.


RE: EH?
By philsworth on 7/12/2007 9:31:11 AM , Rating: 2
The playstation 3 allows you to use any bluetooth mouse or keyboard, any USB mouse or keyboard and by extension any wirless mouse or keyboard using a USB dongle.

I believe there are lapboards available with laptop style touchpads also.

There is no reason why any of these games should not play on PS3 exactly as it does on PC.


RE: EH?
By OxBow on 7/12/2007 11:40:02 AM , Rating: 2
This isn't the console manufacturers fault, completely.

Most games for consoles don't allow you the option to remap your controls to a keyboard. Some have claimed this is about fairness, but I really believe they're just lazy. There is no technical, hardware issue here, it's all a matter of the developers not including this.

With that said, the sixaxis controller has many features that would fit well into an mmo. Combine that with a bluetooth headset and you could have a nice, immersive experience. Granted, I prefer the keyboard/mouse combo over a controller (my arthritis makes using a standard controller painful after a while) but you need to give credit where credit is due. The issue isn't with MS or Sony, but with their game developers.


RE: EH?
By Flunk on 7/12/2007 9:37:32 AM , Rating: 2
The Sega Dreamcast even supported mouse and keyboard.


RE: EH?
By bolders on 7/12/2007 12:16:57 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
Most other games from Sports to driving and most all others should be played on a console


errr no... i have to disagree. While driving games can be fun on a console the PC is the better option (by a long way). However this is assuming that realism in a driving game is important to you. Online capability is also superb. The net code in R factor is the best ive seen.


RE: EH?
By Funksultan on 7/12/2007 10:05:31 AM , Rating: 2
Consoles are evolving. Mouse and KB on a console (PS3) is a piece of cake.

I agree, NCSoft hasn't had any really epic MMOs, but they haven't done bad. Remember, they're not gonna be lookin for a port, but they are gonna be developing a next-gen MMO... something beyond the WOW cash machine.

I gotta admit, playing a MMO from my couch with wireless KB/Mouse, in 1080p with graphics at the level we've seen in some of these next-gen games... that wouldn't suck.


RE: EH?
By redog on 7/12/2007 10:36:08 AM , Rating: 2
I agree that it wouldn't suck, but for me it wouldn't be comfortable.

I personally prefer my mouse and keyboard to be near level with my shoulders which is why i have a nice high desk and a nice comfy chair. I also like to be 1.5 - 2 feet from the monitor (bad habit, but meh). I have tried to get racing games and even EvE Online to work on my 57in TV (only 780p) and played from my couch, but in the end i still prefer it on computer at my desk.

But i should add that i am highly biased towards PC gaming and i think that both platforms have their place and should not mix genres.

-R


RE: EH?
By mles1551 on 7/12/2007 4:34:45 PM , Rating: 2
I would like to hear how much all the PC gamers that have posted here have invested in their computers. Anyone? FPS players or MMO players.


RE: EH?
By SmokeRngs on 7/13/2007 10:56:58 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I would like to hear how much all the PC gamers that have posted here have invested in their computers.


And this is relevant how?

How much money your spend on a PC vs console doesn't matter. Certain types of games are more easily or accurately played with a keyboard/mouse combo. Other games lean more towards a gamepad for better control.

I cannot see myself using a gamepad to play an FPS. The lack of control and accuracy would drive me insane. Besides, I don't like the idea of having an aimbot or humongous hitboxes standard in the game. Control and accuracy is key to an FPS. You cannot get that with a gamepad.

I have similar thoughts regarding RTS's. While I generally don't need the snap accuracy like an FPS, I do need to be able to move around and react quickly. A gamepad seems extremely cumbersome and slow for that type of use.

MMO's I don't have an opinion on concerning controls as I have never played one since they don't interest me.

However, I'm not sure how much MMO's would actually help Sony. As was mentioned previously, many people that are into MMO's prefer to concentrate on that and that alone. I'm not saying all or most do, but I wouldn't doubt it's a large percentage. In this case, that would mean more consoles sold, but probably a lower attach rate of games and peripherals which is where a console makes its money. I see this as possibly more harmful than helpful at this point in time.

I'm still not convinced that a keyboard and mouse would work all that well with a console. In most cases, consoles are probably in a living room or something else and positioned so you can sit on a couch or chair and play. You can move around and sit or lay in many different positions and be comfortable with a controller. With a keyboard and mouse combo, this isn't the case. There are certain positions you need to sit in to use them and be somewhat comfortable at the same time.

Sitting at my desk, my keyboard and mouse are positioned to be comfortable for long term use since desks have evolved to accommodate the ergonomics. The couch or reclining chair in the living room are not setup to be comfortable in this way. A keyboard and mouse would be nice to use on a console for some games, but I'm not sure it's exactly the most comfortable for long term use.

I play consoles very rarely, but I am never as comfortable playing them even when sitting on a good couch or chair. Then again, I sit at a desk all day at work and have for years. Since this is the position I'm accustomed to for many hours of the day, it may have just carried over to other things.


RE: EH?
By walk2k on 7/12/07, Rating: 0
RE: EH?
By Schadenfroh on 7/12/2007 12:59:08 PM , Rating: 2
NCSoft is a Korean MMORPG developer / publisher. Several Blizzard employees (Diablo I / II) team members left Blizzard and founded ArenaNet, which was bought by NCSoft (or NCSoft provided the original funding, either way NCSoft controls them) and made Guild Wars.

The bulk of the original Diablo I / Diablo II creators work at FlashShip Studios and are developing a first person shooter / pseudoRPG called HellGate: London:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagship_Studios


Is it just me?
By Iroh on 7/12/2007 8:59:33 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
Massively addictive online games by NCsoft only on PS3

For many PC gamers, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game is all they need. Thus far, MMO gaming has largely been a PC-only affair, but with the latest generation of consoles being truly Internet-enabled, the highly addictive gaming genre will soon naturally take root in the living room.



I underlined/italicized the word "addictive" in the above quote. Have you played any NCsoft games? I wouldn't consider them addictive...

OK, joking aside. Describing MMO's as "highly addictive" games seems to me to be naive of the author.

Sure, some people have problems with addiction and some of that applies to gaming, but to describe MMO games as "highly addictive" in general, seems to be a separate story in itself, which would in itself need to be justified.

Or was this a subtle attempt to place one's opinion about MMO addiction amid a legit story about NCSoft porting game(s) to the ps3?




RE: Is it just me?
By h0kiez on 7/12/2007 9:02:27 AM , Rating: 3
Didn't you see the South Park about WoW? Cleary that game is addictive.


RE: Is it just me?
By OxBow on 7/12/2007 11:42:13 AM , Rating: 2
That was a great episode.


RE: Is it just me?
By Chaser on 7/12/2007 10:56:21 AM , Rating: 4
Maybe not to you but NCsoft has had a big hit. Check the worldwide subscription numbers for Lineage and Lineage II. Prior to the WoW empire Lineage was the most popular MMORPG, worldwide and had quite a following.

Also keep in mind that Sony is looking beyond just U.S. customers for a good MMO title on the PS3. NCsoft has a good deal of experience catering to an international customer base.

It was a good choice.


RE: Is it just me?
By Iroh on 7/13/2007 8:51:36 AM , Rating: 2
Are you daft?

Where did I say it wasn't a good choice.

My criticism was about the "addictive" description (of MMO's in general) in the article.

Reading comprehension for the win.

I think this is a great step. Moving MMO's to the console may encounter resistance and have some hurdles to overcome, but overall I think this is a good move...


RE: Is it just me?
By Chaser on 7/13/2007 4:41:35 PM , Rating: 2
Why are you?

Addictive? Popular? But then again your views over a single term won't make much of a difference anyway.

Common sense for the match.


Uh huh
By Polynikes on 7/12/2007 12:10:53 PM , Rating: 2
Let's hope they don't turn their back on their PC games' players.




MMO on PC
By deeznuts on 7/12/2007 1:36:13 PM , Rating: 2
I don't get into PC vs. Console debate, but for some reason, I see MMO's being more suited for the PC. Don't ask me why, I just do. That said, the FragFX will help FPS's at least in consoles.




Console Games Ported to PCs
By Tuor on 7/12/2007 10:36:38 PM , Rating: 2
One trend I have noticed is that developers who are making a game to be released on both console and PC platforms seem almost always make the game for the console, then port it to the PC. This is one of the things that infuriated me about Oblivion, but I've also noticed it in Thief 3 and one of the Splinter Cell sequels, among others. These days, I assume most any game that has a simultaneous release on both the PC and consoles was developed for the console and then ported to the PC.

I see this as a bad trend that isn't likely to go away.




The *real* way to play MMO's
By voodoobunny on 7/13/2007 9:30:09 AM , Rating: 2
I have to agree with Funksultan: 1080p graphics on a really big screen for something like WoW would be awesome.

Now imagine this on your HDTV: you *slash* downwards with your sword, *lunge* forward with your spear, *swoop* your wand to launch a fireball, *raise* your hammer above your head and *hammer* down to beat a sword into shape, and after a long battle you're sweating in real life...

*That's* where the real potential for MMOs on consoles lies - the next generation of the Nintendo Wii.




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