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The WAR versus WoW Launch – A Day of Infamy or Celebration for MMOG Enthusiasts?

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Posted July 1st, 2008 by Cody Bye

Cue the "Duel of the Fates" music....

All of the eyes in the MMOG industry are fixated squarely on WAR and WoW as their two development companies square off for what appears to be launches sometime this year. In his editorial, Ten Ton Hammer's Cody "Micajah" Bye explores the idea of these two games launching at around the same time, and whether this would be good or bad for MMO gamers. Read the editorial, then jot down your opinions in the forums!

In truth, MMOG developers really haven’t seen anything comparable to this situation since the genre really began hitting its stride in early 2000. Even the competition between EverQuest II and the original release of WoW isn’t comparable. The market was a fraction of its size in those days, and both games were new entrants into the market. While Warhammer Online is a new entry, gamers know exactly what they’re going to get with World of Warcraft. However, if Warhammer Online succeeds in carrying its own weight, there could be a massive migration from WoW to WAR as Warhammer aficionados opt for the universe that they’ve enjoyed for years.


Comments

I've said in another thread that I really don't envy Mythic's position. They're a new game on release and will suffer all the new game bugs, and with those bugs come with vocal dateless wonders who have the time on their hands to make sure as many people know just how much of a failure WAR is as tey see it. Compounding this, there's the sections of the press, mainly the mainstream, who will view the WAR launch a failure if WoW's sub level doesn't drop noticably upon it's release. And don't...

I agree that the bigger the battle between releases, the better it is for the industry. I think I'd mentioned it in some thread or another, but this fall looks to be one where the spotlight might easily shine brightest on the MMO industry, provided some of the proposed launches happen and do so relatively smoothly.

While I'm sure there will be tons of console buzz for the Force Unleashed, it could quite easily pale in comparison to the accumulated hype of:

WotLK
WAR
the LotRO expansion
JG:...

Without declared release dates this editorial is strictly speculation, but understandable given the towering presence of WoW and the history of both Warhammer and Mythic. However, there are other games in the mix, and one or more might be a sleeper hit.

The gist of my own thoughts is that Mythic has the upper hand because WAR is new, innovative and in a more advanced stage of development compared to WLK by two to three months. I think WAR could release by late September and will draw many ...

In my opinion the head to head (or eerily close) releases of WoW: WotLK and WAR will be a huge undertaking for gamers and both Blizzard and EA Mythic alike. They obviously will be struggling for the wads of cash in every players pocket for the WoW expansion or the initial release of WAR, not to mention the cost of subscription fees after that. I have taken a look at the WAR site and i feel it will be a close rival to WoW for some time to come if it gives its fans all of the promises shown. ...

Like Matthemus and as many of you know I love WoW and have just not found anything to take me away from it and unfortunately for me Warhammer is just not my cup of tea at this point. But....can one of these games remotely live up to the hype and stop becoming a poster child for "how not to release a game"? I know Conan is not bad having played it but the initial great reviews seemed to have led to an exodus and even my friends who left WoW for Conan are grumbling a bit more as they are reac...

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