Developing Online Games: An Insiders Guide (Nrg-Programming)
| by Jessica Mulligan and Bridgette Patrovsky KEY TOPICS
AUTHOR NOTE The lifecycle of a successful massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is virtually unlimited. Good examples of this phenomenon are games still generating revenue over a decade after being released, including MUD II by MUSE, Ltd. (16 years ), Gemstone III by Simutronics (14 years), and Air Warrior by Kesmai Corporation (14 years, until closed down by EA in 2001). Examples of current popular MMORPGs with "legs" would be EverQuest (EQ) by Sony Online Entertainment (3+ years, released March 1999), Ultima Online (UO) by EA (over 5+ years, released September 1997), and Asheron's Call (AC) by Microsoft Gaming Zone (over 3+ years, released October 1999). Of the four MMORPGs discussed in this article, the important point to note is that all four have been in a constant state of growth since release to the public. That means each has more subscribers each month and year than previously. |