I really think that social games prove that people in general are fascinated by huge simulation games where they can interact with other people, and MMOs are not necessarily totally unconnected with that type of game. So we may eventually see some kind of interconnection — the huge virtual world of an MMO, and the mass interactions, simulation, social play, and casual access of a social game. Whatever it is, designers who cut their teeth playing EQ and WoW will be making it.

The other thing I think we’re seeing is that /gaming/ and interaction are the social metaphor for our whole generation in a way that previously people tended to mostly watch TV, see films, and have information handed to them. We now expect to interact and to play. And that’s quite a big cultural shift.

What I think we’ll have is something with more game, and less grind, but a massively broad scope and appeal for casual activities to hardcore within the same world. But the game itself will be more fun, and the social wheels will be greased harder. Instead of building game systems, then plugging in a bare-boned guild interface and chat, the entire game will be shaped around social psychology, with a variety of fun and good-looking – and linked – games tacked on to a groundbreaking social engine. I think that’s where the future of MMOs is going to be. It seems almost impossible to achieve, but I’m imagining this “game” more as a platform that games can be plugged into, and EVERYONE has an account, just like “everyone” is on IM or has an email account.

But maybe I’m dreaming. Anyway, I think it’s a cool idea that I should write about as soon as I have some blogging time again.

On a broader scale, though, is it really that bad if people stop making games that are too big to succeed? Apparently 90% of games don’t have the development budget to delay release until the game is up to market standards, so maybe they should start aiming for something they can actually accomplish.

I don’t really think Facebook games compete for the same audience as MMO games. I’m not saying there’s no overlap but if you drew a Venn diagram of the people who play MMOs and the people who play Facebook games as their main game the intersection would be small.

And remember there’s a lot of unrealised potential for MMOs to expand if developers get better at putting them on consoles.

Plus the trend towards item shops will increase spend per player overall so triple A MMOs that are successful (unlike Warhammer) will make even more money than now.