In part 1 of this article, we examined Star Trek Online, The Agency and Age of Conan, three MMO's likely destined for either the Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3, or both at some point in the future.

This week we look at a few more games almost definitely hitting the consoles within a year, and along the way we discuss what it is that makes each of these games a good fit for the platforms they'll be coming to.

Free Realms:

Developer: Sony Online Entertainment

Release Date: 2010

What is it? There's a new wave of massively multiplayer online games, a seemingly inexorable march towards the free to play model.

It's a system that has seen great success in Korea and in Eastern MMO gaming in general, yet hasn't really been embraced or exploited in the West. Sony Online Entertainment is at the forefront of a vigorous push to change that way of thinking, and bring gamers in the West quality games on a free to play model.

For a long time the standing model of the monthly pay to play fee has gone unchallenged. Ultima Online, Everquest, Everquest II, World of Warcraft, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online, all these games and many more have been run successfully on this model. But is it sustainable in the long term?

There are two strong arguments running against the pay to play model. The first would be that the market can only support a finite number of these kinds of games. Gamers only have so much disposable income to burn on their hobby, and at an average price of $14.99 USD a month, most gamers can only really justify paying for one or two subscriptions at any given time.

One of the upsides of this environment is that it breeds competition, and any MMO charging a monthly rate needs to reach a certain standard if it wants to survive. The downside as I've mentioned, is that it means gamers get a smaller pool of games to choose from as fewer publishers are willing to take the risk of crashing and burning in the spectacular manner of Richard Garriot's Tabula Rasa.

The second argument against pay to play games, specifically on consoles, is that console gamers just aren't conditioned to pay a monthly fee to play games; some might argue that they'll never be. It's simply a concept that's alien to them.

Enter Sony Online Entertainment's new MMO strategy, which involves a lineup of high quality free to play games, starting with Free Realms.

For the longest time, when most gamers heard the phrase “free to play”, it more than likely conjured up images of obscure, poorly localized Korean efforts built less around actual constructive gameplay, and more around an eternal process of grinding and limited play options forcing you to purchase items to experience core gameplay. Not anymore.

Free Realms was built specifically from the ground up to be accessible to gamers of all ages, and to be a quality experience that makes a positive first impression.

In terms of pure polish, the game rivals many of its pay to play contemporaries and probably bests most.

Another thing that makes Free Realms such a great example for the free to play model is that unlike most games that pursue the same warhammer crash model, you're never forced to actually buy anything to enjoy the core game. Any expenses you make are incidental and will only add to the experience.

Chances of it happening: Barring a sudden and major failure in the Free Realms business model, this one's an absolute and definite lock. While SOE seems to be taking their time porting Free Realms to the PlayStation 3, expect it to hit some time in mid to late 2010, by which time it's conceivable the console would have benefited from yet another price cut, making it an even more viable offering for the family audience Free Realms has proven itself so attractive to.

DC Universe Online:

Developer: Sony Online Entertainment

Release Date: 2010

What is it? By all accounts the Xbox 360 should already be home to a superhero MMO in the form of Marvel Universe Online, a game that was in development at Cryptic Studios (developer of Champions Online, City of Heroes/Villains, and the Star Trek Online) before Microsoft quietly halted production and killed the project.

Meanwhile, Sony Online Entertainment had been quietly working on their own superhero MMO, utilizing rival comic book publisher’s license, DC Comics.

Despite initially looking a little rough around the edges, newer hands-on previews and showings at recent trade shows have indicated that DC Universe Online is coming together well.

You won't be able to choose a Batman or Superman, but you'll be able to create your own unique superhero and inhabit the same world as the blue wonder and the caped crusader, fighting alongside them to keep the streets safe. So far we've seen screenshots and images of the game's Metropolis location, but concept art seen earlier indicates that areas like Gotham City (including The Batcave and Arkham Asylum) will be available for players to explore.

The DC license is potentially a very lucrative one, and SOE seem intent on not letting things slip through their fingers as you could argue happened with Star Wars Galaxies. As a result they're collaborating with top talent in the comic book industry, including design veterans from DC's Wildstorm imprint, led by comic book legend Jim Lee (on board as Executive Creative Director), and writers Geoff John's and Marv Wolfman, of Justice Society of America, and Crisis on Infinite Earth's fame.

In terms of minute to minute gameplay, expect something in the vein of Prototype, InFamous, or The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, with emphasis placed on fast paced action and quick environmental traversal, including flight, super speed, etc.

Special moves and attacks will be mapped to actual button presses as in games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance and X-Men Legends, rather than the combat queues seen in games like World of Warcraft and Warhammer Online, leading to a more action oriented, skill-based experience. That said, the game won't be discarding RPG conventions entirely, as there will be leveling and inventory management systems in place.

Sony Online Entertainment have also been smart enough to hint that the monthly subscription fee model is one they won't be using for DCUO, and given the game's console ambitions, it would seem a wise choice.

Chances of it happening: Like SOE's other in-development PlayStation 3 MMO, perhaps even more so given the target console's demographics, this is also a lock. DC Universe Online appears almost tailor made for consoles, with its action RPG-esque gameplay and popular license. All signs point towards a 2010 release.

Final Fantasy XIV:

Developer: Square Enix

Release Date: 2010

What is it? The Final Fantasy series really needs little introduction. Sids, Chocobo's, Moogles, limit breaks, summons, we're familiar with all the series conventions. That said, Final Fantasy XIV is something else altogether.

In May 2002, Square Enix launched Final Fantasy XI for the PlayStation 2 and PC in Japan, a North American release would follow two years later, and two years after that, in 2006, the Final Fantasy series would come to an Xbox platform for the first time when the MMO found its way to Microsoft's  Xbox 360.

Despite achieving a modest level of success, particularly in Japan where it's the countries most played massively multiplayer online game, it's probably safe to say Final Fantasy XI never quite made the impression many had hoped, as it's un-Final Fantasy-like look, and brutal solo gameplay turned off many long time fans.

Seven years after its initial release, and Square Enix is ready to do it all again, as it prepares to release only its second ever MMO, Final Fantasy XIV.

Though it may look similar on the surface, Square Enix appears to be wringing the changes, with a spate of revamped systems designed to make the game easier for new players to get into, and also make solo questing considerably more enjoyable for those interested.

There are also revamped job and battle systems to keep things fresh and in general the developers seem to have paid attention to the advancements made in the genre over the last five years or so.

At E3 this year, Sony's Jack Tretton made a big deal about Final Fantasy XIV and its exclusivity on the PlayStation 3, words which have come under some scrutiny since it has been revealed that no such exclusivity agreement exists, and that the main stumbling block preventing an Xbox 360 release comes in the form of Microsoft's Xbox Live policies.

One can't help thinking that Final Fantasy XIV's best chance for success exists on consoles, while it enjoys a dedicated following on PC, the market there is fairly congested, with the likes of World of Warcraft, Age of Conan et al all vying for attention. The console battleground by comparison, is much less crowded.

Chances of it happening: Final Fantasy is simply too big a series to remain constrained to the PC, a PlayStation 3 release is a given. Will the game make it to the Xbox 360? If Microsoft is truly serious about challenging the PlayStation 3 in Japan, this could be seen as one of the pre-requisites, whether they'll be willing to loosen their stringent Xbox Live policies as they did when they made an exception to get Final Fantasy XI on the console remains to be seen.

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As a fairly avid World of Warcraft player, I was somewhat skeptical about all the pre-release hype surrounding Warhammer Online.  The minor tremors in the online gaming world appear to be leading up to a  earthquake of major proportions in the weeks following the September 18th release of Warhammer Online.   So the big dilemma that I am faced with now is do I buy Warhammer Online or wait to purchase the next World of Warcraft expansion due out in November?  

Trust me, unless you have no life besides computer gaming, take your foods and fluids via intravenous injection, and are connected to a waste disposal suit there will not be enough time in a day or night to "fully play" both of these online games!  By "fully play"   I mean to play an online game such as World of Warcraft or Warhammer Online at an intensity level to fully enjoy and exploit  the vast array of experiences each has to offer.

For many reading this article, the game "Warhammer" is not something new.  This table top game has been around for a long time, in two basic forms called "Fantasy" and "40 K".  The basic theme of both was "good verse evil", only the settings changed.  In "Fantasy" you fought to survive in a mythical world of strange creatures, living and undead,  using the might of the sword and magic of the supernatural to save your chosen race.   The "40" version transported the player into a futuristic world  filled with strange beings and wonderous weapons, all fighting for supreme power and eventual annihilation of the enemy

My personal favorite was Warhammer "Fantasy", as I spent hours and hours assembling and painting table top miniatures to create the infamous Tomb Kings skeleton army that rose up out the desert sands to pillage and conquer all race of man or animal that stood in their way.  Ironically it was the computer game Warcraft and then later World of Warcraft online that wooed me away from my table top battles and eventually  into the tomb kings warhammer world of online gaming.  Now with the release of Warhammer Online, perhaps my  gaming pendulum will return once again to the world of Warhammer, in an electronic form.

Warhammer Online has piggy-backed on the success of the table top "Fantasy" version of Warhammer to create an electronic version with a multitude of features and twists that are now possible using state of the art game development technology.  So this begs the question, "Is Warhammer Online" simply the table top game all decked out in new threads, but nothing significantly different underneath the wrap?   I don't think so!  

So what then, does Warhammer Online bring to the table, that makes it brazen enough to be considered a worthy challenger to be the next "king of the hill" presently enjoyed by World of Warcraft?   The best resource to help answer this question would be someone who was fortunate enough to have played and tested the beta version of Warhammer Online. I found such a valuable resource in the person of Brent Fisher, who wrote an excellent review about Warhammer Online based on his beta testing experiences.  (Read Brent's entire review at: http://giantrealm.gameriot.com/gaming/beta-review-warhammer-online)  I was particularly interested in Brent's summary of his Warhammer Online beta testing experience.

"I won't say Warhammer will be the next World of Warcraft; it serves a different audience and a different purpose. This game is geared for people who want to smash skulls, siege castles and just outright ruin someone else's day. WoW's battlegrounds are like a kiddie pool to Warhammer's raging, blood-soaked ocean. Mythic has crafted the experience so expertly that you can jump into the deep end or play in the shallows as long as you like, and at the end of the day there's a feeling that you accomplished something and had fun.
In the end, isn't that what really matters?" (Brent Fisher)

Well after reading Brent's very informative review as already mentioned, the decision to buy Warhammer Online is becoming much easier.  The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up just reading his summary.  Just wait until after you read his entire review. This game is sounding awesome!

The next step in my decision making process was to find out just how difficult "fully playing" Warhammer Online was going to be.  Even after playing World of Warcraft for several years, having two characters at level 70,  I still feel like a "newbie" some days when hearing what others WOW players have seen and done, the weapons and mounts they own, and the amount of gold they have farmed.  There is still so much to still see and do in World of Warcraft, and with yet another expansion on the horizon, oh brother!   

So what about Warhammer Online?  What sort of depth and complexity will it offer to the gamer?  Thanks to the beta reviews of Warhammer Online written by Brent Fisher and others, the conclusion I have reached is this.  If you want to be able to understand and "fully play" Warhammer Online,  be prepared to shell out some additional money for a guide book or two.  The learning curve appears to be quite steep if you plan on doing some serious gaming, as opposed to just wasting time "poking around". Presuming you do decide to buy Warhammer Online.

As for me, I can't wait to buy Warhammer Online!  It has the makings of a terrific online game that will provide countless hours of exciting game play.  I also intend to buy a guide book or two to ensure that I have a good understanding of the game and  what it has to offer to "fully play" the game.  With this in mind, I have located and posted a number of Warhammer Online guide books on my website, along with additional links and videos that will provide more information about Warhammer Online for those still undecided to buy Warhammer Online or not.

Warhammer Online verses World of Warcraft?   Let the battle, err I mean the debate begin!

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If you're looking for tips and tricks on min/maxing or the quickest way to put an effective raid party together, you're looking in the wrong place.

Here we're going to explore the best ways for a casual player to get the most out of just about any massively multiplayer online game. That said, even if you're already a hardcore wow-head, these tips are worth their weight in wow gold if you're looking for the best ways to breathe new life into your playing experience.

 

Enjoy the scenery:

It's not the quest that matters, but the journey. Well, that's not entirely true with MMO's, after all, if you don't complete your quest, you don't get any aion kinah, valuable XP or phat lewt, but that's not my point.

Artists and programmers have poured literally hundreds of hours if hard work  into crafting a living breathing world, and the sad truth is that most players will simply race across the landscape with nary a glance at their surroundings.

Playing fantasy games, and MMO's in particular is all about escapism, and getting to visit a world different from our own, and become people we aren't. Take a moment to stop and smell the roses, those murlocs will always be there waiting to be slain.

 

Pace yourself:

In a similar vein to that above, most folks forget about having fun once their in game, and start thinking about the quickest and most efficient ways to level. Efficiency isn't generally fun, and it's mostly associated with work.

There is no "right way" to play an MMO, so if it takes you weeks to hit level ten instead of five hours, don't sweat it, what's most important is that you had fun on the way there, there are no prizes for coming in first.

 

When you're ready, get the expansions:

The great thing about MMO's is that they grow around the player, you can play as much as you want or as little as you want. If you're jumping on board an MMO a few years late, don't feel pressured into getting the various expansions that might have come out if you aren't ready. Why waste your money warhammer lair on Burning Crusade and Lich King or Cataclysm when World of Warcraft Classic has hundreds of hours of gameplay to occupy you with?

 

Find a good friend to play with:

As stated earlier, there's no right or wrong way to play an MMO, but even the most ardent solo player will enjoy the game even more if he can play for a few hours with a good friend.

Find someone you don't get to see as often as you like, and then offer him a free trial (MMO's are always giving away free trials). If he accepts, you're likely to get some bonus schwag for recruiting a new player, and you've got someone to share your adventures with.

You don't have to spend every waking minute in-game with your pal, but you'll find that companionship makes even the most mundane of tasks in an MMO become infinitely more fun. This is also a great way for hardcore players to start a new alt character and get over the boredom of having to do all those early lower level quests over again.

 

Find more good friends online, don't be shy:

Of course, if you're a solo player this might got against your programming, but if you're something of a social butterfly, guilds, groups and parties make playing MMO's a real blast. There's nothing like sitting around outside a cave to formulate a plan with your buds before storming a lair.

 

Get into the lore, check out the novels, buy the comics

This all pre-supposes that you enjoy the game to a certain degree already, but a great way to get even more out of whatever MMO you're playing, is to pick up some of the literature. A number of the larger and more successful MMO's like EverQuest II, Warhammer Online, World of Warcraft and Age of Conan are all supported by books and comics, and with a little snooping around you can find out which ones are well written and worth getting.

It's hardly essential of course, but more often than not you'll find your newfound knowledge just enhances your appreciation and enjoyment of the game.

 

Get on the forums:

This goes hand in hand with socialising in game. If you've got the time and the inclination, get to know your in-game friends on the game's message boards and forums. You'll also be able to interact with developers and community liaisons to know what changes are going to be made in-game and how they'll affect your character.

 

Have fun in game, don't turn it into a grind fest:

Remember, it's the journey that's important, turning an MMO into a grind fest is the fastest way to make it totally un-fun. Try not to take things to seriously, and while min-maxing is okay, remember, it's just a game, not a second job.

 

Don't resub unless you actually want to play:

By this point it's fair to say you're pretty into whatever MMO you're playing. The danger here is to start just going through the motions and playing not because you want to, but just because the game's there. If you have an addictive personality it an be difficult to quit MMO's, but it's good practice to play for a couple of months and then take a break, the game's always going to be there.

One thing you can do to ensure that you don't just keep playing even when you don't want to, is to cancel your subscription just after you've renewed it, this way it won't auto-charge you for the next month, and you don't feel guilty about not playing.

 

Go to a con at least once:

Con's are fun, especially the larger ones, if you can, you should take the opportunity to go to Blizzcon at least once. Tickets are expensive, but the experience is quite unlike anything you're likely to have seen before, and its definitely well worth it. Oh, and take a camera!

 

Congratulations! You're hardcore:

If you've managed to follow all these steps above correctly, wouldn't you know it, you're now a hardcore MMO gamer! Hardcore MMO gaming isn't just about finding the right formula to creating the most powerful high level character the land has seen, it's about getting the most out of your chosen MMO, it's about finding the fun, and keeping it fun.

 

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