For How Long Can World of Warcraft Dominate?
We've heard it all before, MMORPG "X" will be the "WoW killer." Warhammer, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars (Galaxies) are just some of the big names that have failed to live up to this billing, which reminds us just how dominate Blizzard's World of Warcraft has become.
However, as the game approaches its 5 year anniversary, we're also reminded that nothing lasts forever.
So, exactly how long can Blizzard keep subscribers interested in the game?
To avoid falling into the trap of "predicting" WoW's downfall, let me first say that the only company or game that will be able to bring about the demise of WoW will be Blizzard and the games they generate themselves.
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But, due to their handling of the game, Blizzard must be prepared to lose a substantial chunk of their hardcore player base.
Since its original version, WoW has become a drastically different game. The original version, known as "Vanilla" by many, required large amounts of dedication by the player. Players, if they wished to excel at the game, had to literally devote a full work week amount of time into the game.
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To those that could meet these demands, they were rewarded by a great sense of achievement.
It is hard to describe the feelings players get when they finally defeat a boss that they and 39 others have spent days and weeks on. Joy, relief, and elation all seem to work, but none of them completely embodies the exact sensation.
In fact, there is nothing exactly like it in the gaming world.
However, after two expansions (The Burning Crusade and Wrath of The Lich King), it has become clear that Blizzard's focus has been flipped upside down to coddle the casuals, which in effect, has eliminated this sense of achievement from the game.