We seem to know so much, and too little about the next evolution of the Nintendo Entertainment System. The rumors are spreading like Mono at a high school prom. Many game developers have expressed their excitement towards the console and seem to tout the potential for the new device. Ubi Soft has stated:
“We have big plans for Wii U. Our intention is to be the number one third party on Wii U, just like we were on Kinect and 3DS.”
Funcom has also released that the Wii U “could be the first console on which running an MMORPG could be possible”. Could this mean that the Wii U has the potential to dethrone the PC as the MMORPG king? Joel Bylos had this to say:
“Wii U could be the first real console on which running an MMORPG without compromise is plausible. The controller is perfect for lining up those rows of hotbars that are essential in most MMOs. A customisable touchscreen interface combined with the 3D spatial movement of a console controller could be a winner.”
What will this mean for MMORPG fans that have accounts on their favorite PC’s? Will they be able to play across the Wii U and the PC? Is it possible that games such as World of Warcraft will test the waters on the Wii U? Or will the Wii U start off with Nintendo exclusives before making the leap to existing MMORPG’s?
Regardless of the outcome, I get more and more excited about the system every day. There is a hint of mystery behind it that has captured my attention. I have a feeling when I pick it up for the first time, it will be like welcoming an old friend back into my home.
This is the first thing that actually makes me a little excited about Wii U. I would buy this system just for one good MMORPG.
Wii U, the Console Free-2-Play Paradise.
Since the Wii U is getting a version of the PC F2P title, Ghost Recon: Online, then perhaps other F2P tiles such as Blacklight: Retribution and MechWarrior: Online can be released for the Wii U as well. F2P games are picking up in popularity, and it is difficult for the current consoles to support them. However, it seems that the Wii U has somehow managed to pick up at least one F2P game. If the Wii U can attract more popular F2P games, it may gain a considerable advantage over its competitors. I already hear that Microsoft is looking into providing F2P games as well, so I expect that F2P will not be PC exclusive for much longer.
Replace the PC as king of MMORPG's – not even close.
Be a place where MMORPG's can be played – most definitely.
Even thought the Wii-U has the ability to do what other consoles can't (actually play a MMORPG with most of it's features still intact), it can't do what a PC can. In fact it won't even be able to come close to doing what a PC can.
Graphically a PC is just so much better than even the best rumors we've heard about the Wii-U (or the new XBOX 720, or the new PS4). MMORGP's are made for gamers, and PC gamers don't just have the basic out-of-the box systems, they normally invest a bit more for better, faster systems that allow for better games. Systems that blow away the best that a console has to offer. Most MMORGP players want the best graphics possible, and that won't be found on a console.
Controls aren't even close. A mouse and a full keyboard are far better than a controller (no matter what extra features that controller might have).
On-line play. The PC is the best on-line system there is. The internet was made for the PC. I don't care how good the XBOX360 or PS3 or whatever may be, it's not as good as the PC when it comes to on-line activity. This might not be too important for some games, but for an MMORPG that basically lives in on-line mode, it is very important. Even if Nintendo finally decides to dedicate themselves to getting a good on-line system, it won't and can't be as good as what a PC offers.
The whole "which is better" debate between consoles and PC's has lots of issues which need to be taken into consideration. Without a doubt a console is better in some areas (and games) than a PC, and in other areas a PC is much better in some areas (and games) than any console. One of the areas (games genres) where a PC is undoubtedly better than a console are MMORPG's.
I would love to see the Wii-U open up new doors of opportunities in this direction, but to even try to say that it can take over that market is simply ridiculous.
I wish Nintendo would redefine this genre with an amazing Pokemon or Zelda MMORPG.
MMORPG huh… Can't say I've been a fan. If it doesn't have character development, a great storyline driven gameplay, all surrounded by easy to use and fun controls… I give the ole.. Meh.
Pretty much, if the game doesn't end, I don't begin.
@Joshdad – I think that if Nintendo is able to get it right with the console and games then the Wii U has the chance of being just as good, if not better than the PC in terms of MMORPG's. Don't believe me, then check out a little game released in 1997 called GoldenEye. At that time first person shooters were "assumed" to be better on the PC for the same reasons you cite (better graphics, better controls, etc.). Once GoldenEye was released it changed many people's perceptions of FPS on consoles and today I would argue that console FPS's have eclipsed their PC counterparts. Currently I agree that MMORPG's are better on PC's that consoles but going forward…we'll see.
@Joe – Sorry, but FPS are so much better on a PC using a mouse that it can't even begin to be compared. I've tried playing various FPS on a console, and it felt like a was trying to play with boxing gloves on – it just can't be compared in the least bit.
Sure there are some pretty good console FPS, but once you use a mouse, you just don't want to go back to a controller. The exact precision of using a mouse is infinitely better than anything a controller can offer.
Also, the best console FPS graphically can't even come close to some of the better PC games. I'll just use a single example (and there are many others). Metro 2033 is so far ahead of anything that a console can offer right now that it's almost like comparing a PS3 game to an Atari 2600 game.
It's possible that the next waves of consoles might be able to reproduce the kind of graphics that a game like this has had for some years, but by then the PC will be leaps and bounds ahead again.
PC's are just so much more powerful than a console (at least once you put a few extra bucks into them, rather than just the vanilla types that you buy at best buy – and most PC gamers do just that).
There are some genres that are definitely better on a console, but FPS and MMORPG's aren't among that group.