Post by Morreion on Jan 2, 2015 17:19:11 GMT -5
Perfect Ten: New MMOs to watch in 2015 (Massively)
After the huge launch year we had in 2014, 2015 will most definitely be a smaller year for big-name releases. That doesn't mean it will be a complete write-off, but perhaps it will challenge us to look beyond the heavy hitters to find more diamonds in the rough.
3: Shroud of the Avatar: The spiritual successor in all but name to Richard Garriott's famous Ultima franchise. It kicked butt in crowdfunding and will offer a sandbox world with immersive RPG elements, a slot machine-like combat system, a single-player mode, and housing. Lots and lots of housing.
Why it's worth watching: This is the type of MMO that old-school RPG players may be desperate to see again, especially with the Garriott magic at work. The focus on immersion, details, and a virtual world that invites you to live in instead of kill everything in sight is a major plus for those sick of murder simulators.
Chances of releasing in 2015: It's looking promising, although I fear the beta has a ways to go. The website still lists spring 2015 as a launch window, and even if that gets delayed, Shroud of the Avatar is already playable for backers and through Steam Early Access.
10: The Repopulation: An incredibly ambitious sci-fi sandbox from an indie studio.
Why it's worth watching: The sheer depth and breadth of features have led many to dub this as a spiritual successor to Star Wars Galaxies. It does seem like it has everything and the kitchen sink (which you were able to craft yourself from scrap), although it might be a little rough around the edges for those used to only big-budget titles.
Chances of releasing in 2015: The official FAQ lists a "mid-to-late 2015" launch window with the caveat "when it's done."
The Think Tank: Massively's MMO industry predictions for 2015
Brianna Royce:
I think we'll see both WildStar and The Elder Scrolls move to a buy-to-play model in 2015, the latter just in time for its long-delayed console launch. WildStar will perk up a bit, though probably not to SWTOR or FFXIV levels of rebound. I fully expect to see ESO bragging about 3-4 million players after that console launch, but that'll fade by the end of the year. I don't see ArcheAge recovering, though I do think Trion will somehow manage to clean up its image this year, probably through RIFT and maybe by announcing a new home-grown MMO. World of Warcraft will drop down to 8 million players by summer, but it'll go back up to 8.5 million when the next expansion, Murloc Invasion, is announced at BlizzCon in the fall (instead of farms and garrisons, the "special" mechanic will be swimming pools). Heavensward will be huge and run away with the expansion of the year. Marvel Heroes will rebrand itself Marvel Heroes 2018. H1Z1 will launch and make a bigger splash than anticipated because it's not indie fast-cash junk. Cryptic will finally announce that secret MMO it's working on, and it's zombies.
Finally, we have to be getting a Guild Wars 2 expansion/campaign, but I think it'll launch late in 2015. It won't be Cantha exactly, but it'll be big; Toli's probably right about Elona or the northern desert. It won't come with a level cap bump; it will come with a new playable race (Tengu?) and two new classes whose mechanics didn't port over yet (Rit and Derv, though maybe not called that).
2015 is going to be a recovery year. All of the disasters of 2014 have a solid year when they can rebuild and mature before the hype cycle for the next round of games begins. I'm looking forward to it.
Massively's Best of 2014 Awards: Most Anticipated for 2015 and Beyond
EQ Next & Landmark (public poll winner: Shroud of the Avatar)
Massively's Best of 2014 Awards: Most Likely to Flop
Star Citizen
After the huge launch year we had in 2014, 2015 will most definitely be a smaller year for big-name releases. That doesn't mean it will be a complete write-off, but perhaps it will challenge us to look beyond the heavy hitters to find more diamonds in the rough.
3: Shroud of the Avatar: The spiritual successor in all but name to Richard Garriott's famous Ultima franchise. It kicked butt in crowdfunding and will offer a sandbox world with immersive RPG elements, a slot machine-like combat system, a single-player mode, and housing. Lots and lots of housing.
Why it's worth watching: This is the type of MMO that old-school RPG players may be desperate to see again, especially with the Garriott magic at work. The focus on immersion, details, and a virtual world that invites you to live in instead of kill everything in sight is a major plus for those sick of murder simulators.
Chances of releasing in 2015: It's looking promising, although I fear the beta has a ways to go. The website still lists spring 2015 as a launch window, and even if that gets delayed, Shroud of the Avatar is already playable for backers and through Steam Early Access.
10: The Repopulation: An incredibly ambitious sci-fi sandbox from an indie studio.
Why it's worth watching: The sheer depth and breadth of features have led many to dub this as a spiritual successor to Star Wars Galaxies. It does seem like it has everything and the kitchen sink (which you were able to craft yourself from scrap), although it might be a little rough around the edges for those used to only big-budget titles.
Chances of releasing in 2015: The official FAQ lists a "mid-to-late 2015" launch window with the caveat "when it's done."
The Think Tank: Massively's MMO industry predictions for 2015
Brianna Royce:
I think we'll see both WildStar and The Elder Scrolls move to a buy-to-play model in 2015, the latter just in time for its long-delayed console launch. WildStar will perk up a bit, though probably not to SWTOR or FFXIV levels of rebound. I fully expect to see ESO bragging about 3-4 million players after that console launch, but that'll fade by the end of the year. I don't see ArcheAge recovering, though I do think Trion will somehow manage to clean up its image this year, probably through RIFT and maybe by announcing a new home-grown MMO. World of Warcraft will drop down to 8 million players by summer, but it'll go back up to 8.5 million when the next expansion, Murloc Invasion, is announced at BlizzCon in the fall (instead of farms and garrisons, the "special" mechanic will be swimming pools). Heavensward will be huge and run away with the expansion of the year. Marvel Heroes will rebrand itself Marvel Heroes 2018. H1Z1 will launch and make a bigger splash than anticipated because it's not indie fast-cash junk. Cryptic will finally announce that secret MMO it's working on, and it's zombies.
Finally, we have to be getting a Guild Wars 2 expansion/campaign, but I think it'll launch late in 2015. It won't be Cantha exactly, but it'll be big; Toli's probably right about Elona or the northern desert. It won't come with a level cap bump; it will come with a new playable race (Tengu?) and two new classes whose mechanics didn't port over yet (Rit and Derv, though maybe not called that).
2015 is going to be a recovery year. All of the disasters of 2014 have a solid year when they can rebuild and mature before the hype cycle for the next round of games begins. I'm looking forward to it.
Massively's Best of 2014 Awards: Most Anticipated for 2015 and Beyond
EQ Next & Landmark (public poll winner: Shroud of the Avatar)
Massively's Best of 2014 Awards: Most Likely to Flop
Star Citizen
