Would GTA Online beat World of Warcraft?
As we all know World of Warcraft is doing great, I mean great is an understatement but you know what I mean. Sure there are other solid MMORPGs out there, like the Guild Wars series, or Lord of the Rings Online, that attract a lot of fans, and there are some really famous MMOs coming out soon, Warhammer Online and Conan: Hyborian Adventures are just to examples. But let’s be serious the chances these new arrivals have of dethroning WoW are as high as Bush becoming president for the third time…which is impossible.
Now to be honest, when I first heard they were making LotR Online I really thought they had a chance. A strong fanbase, a rich fantasy universe to set the game in, great production values, all the ingredients for a successful game. But allthough LotR Online is an impressive achievement, it doesn’t come close to threatening Warcraft’s rule.
VS. 
If we think about it, the way things are right now makes perfect sense. If I were a MMO developer, I’d try to come up with something that would appeal to gamers yet at the same time, be new and refreshing. Now all these big time producers and publishers insist on creating fantasy based MMORPGs, and I truly don’t get it. I wonder what kind of imagination you’d need to come up with a better story and universe than seasoned veterans like Warhammer, LotR or Warcraft., it’s practically impossible. So I’m convinced no matter how many titles come out in the following years, no matter how their publishers try to sell them to us, they won’t come close to the now legendary WoW.
So I turn my head away from fantasy and look into something more realistic. What game is popular enough, old enough to have a strong community of fans, valuable enough and most important DIFFERENT enough to actually have a chance in the MMO universe? And after days of constant pondering I came to the conclusion that there’s only one possible candidate: everyone’s favorite, GTA.
VS. 
Although I’m not a die hard fan, I admit GTA is an impressive series which is constantly improving and attracting more and more fans. So think about it, a huge modern universe, players being able to create their own custom character, join gangs or the police, brake into houses, gather up their gang and challenge other rival gangs for control of neighborhoods, stealing cars, piloting airplanes, helicopters …and all those other fun activities already present in Rockstar’s masterpiece. All in a Massive Multiplayer Online experience. Now as I set it up in my mind, this is pure gold, bulletproof…there’s no way it could fail if the developers do their jobs as well as they’ve done so far. Thinking about it, I’m pretty surprised Rockstar hasn’t done anything in this direction until now, they must realize the huge potential of a GTA Online.
I did a little research about similar games and came across a certain All Points Bulletin, published by Korean company Webzen, who actually specializes in MMOs these days. The funny part is the game is produced by a certain David Jones, the man behind the first GTA. APB has been into production since 2005 but since its announcement there’s been no update regarding its progress. The game has been scheduled for the end of this year, but frankly I don’t think it’s coming out any time soon. And if it is, without any type of publicity, APB’s future doesn’t look very bright.
So there’s still time for Rockstar to get their heads together and cash in on GTA’s popularity and take it online, then we’ll see some real competition for the seemingly invincible World of Warcraft. Let the battle begin!
I’ve been thinking along the same lines for a good while and, in all honesty, it probably wouldn’t work.
The difference between GTA and the MMORPG games out there is that GTA is focused on a single character gaining notoriety and control of the game world. If you took the principal of the GTA games and applied it to an MMO you would have a real issue providing solo and multi-player content while keeping with the theme.
If the object of the game were to gang based and to take control of areas then maybe, just maybe, it would work… The turn-around on these areas, however, would be so quick that logging off and on would probably mean most of last nights play had been written off.
The only way this would work is with a full scale environment to support all the players, so players could realistically create gangs, take control of massive areas of play and keep them under control realistically.
That said, with such a large game area would there be any point in venturing out of your own area ?
I don’t know… I’ve discussed this concept at length with many gamers and although all of us agree it’s a great idea, implementing it is a logistical nightmare.
Comment by Malphas | September 20, 2007
they already have gta online its a mod vice city and san andreas are both online
http://www.sa-mp.com
Comment by CTO_7 | September 20, 2007
@ Malphas
I doubt Rockstar couldn’t make it work…but then again maybe that’s why they haven’t even tried it yet.
Comment by admin | September 20, 2007
@ CTO_7
Ah come on, that’s not a true MMO…it’s a mod. There’s no way that can compete with any MMO, let alone WoW.
Comment by admin | September 20, 2007
I heard in 2005 of a rumor that the Rockstar was working on something called crime online. Although it was just a rumor it seems like a natural progression. In gta games you are part of a gang. the gang members interacts with each other and join you in your missions. it almost seems like other people are playing with you. i can’t believe that rockstar wouldn’t intend to make it a massive multiplayer game.
Comment by JEL | September 22, 2007
Check GTA:Tournament at http://www.gtat.org Online game based on GTA SA.
Comment by Jan | January 21, 2008