CES: MMO Devs Talk Virtual Worlds And The MMO Explosion
By Shawn on Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 at 7:35 PM PST In Computer, Game Companies, Game Consoles, Game Platforms, Gamer Life, Games, Microsoft, Sony, Sony
The 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas hosted a panel entitled “Virtual Worlds and the Massively Multiplayer Gaming Explosion.”
Akamai product line director Kris Alexander, AMD senior product manager Ian McNaughton, Flagship Studios’ business development director and general counsel Steve Goldstein, Sony Online Entertainment’s business development and international operations VP David Christensen, Trion World Network CEO Dr. Lars Buttler and Turbine’s executive director of business development and sales Bob Ferrari were all on the panel with Michael Rowe, manager of the 3D Internet and Intraverse Department at IBM’s Research Group moderating the discussion.
The article covers everything from in game ads, microtransactions versus subscription models and how to successfully build an MMO with global appeal. Topics on the board were the differences between traditional console gameplay and “virtualization” of gameplay in an online arena. The difference is deeper than just the use of peripherals. MMOs are flourishing because they’re more marketable and have a social element that traditional games don’t.
Take a look into the future of gaming as envisioned by industry experts at Gamasutra.
