World of Warcraft, the MMORPG with the largest subscription base ever known in its genre, is nothing special in terms of the MMO genre in my eyes. Here's why:
1. The Interface.
Look familiar? Of course it does.
These two MMORPGs, Ultima Online and Lineage 2 respectively, have the same interface as WoW.
Or rather, WoW has the same interface as these MMOs, seeing as
both of them released before it.So in terms of interface, WoW is nothing revolutionary.
2. Gameplay.
In pretty much every MMORPG, you:
1.Create a character
2.Get your first quests
3. Level up to adquately participate in activities with your guild/faction/legion/linkshell/etc.
4. Do missions or the equivalent to find out the story to see where your character fits in it all.
5. Beat storyline.
6. Participate in endgame activities (or PvP if you so choose)
WoW is no different. Some may claim that it is less of a grind than other MMOs, but really, ALL MMOs will be grindy in some way or the other, so I don't complain about this.
WoW offers the basic classes to play: Healer,Tank,DPS,Buffer,and Generalist who has the potential to be a little bit of everything.
All of the other classes that have came out due to expansions, are simply combinations of the above. ALL MMORPGS DO THIS. The only reason why it may seem different, is by what weapon they're holding, or what kind of armor they are wearing. (Melee/Mage/Ranged)
3. Endgame.
There's endgame, the most grueling, time wasting experience of any MMO, seeing as there is little gear to go around, and many people are wanting the same piece. This incorporates beauracracy and takes the fun out of the game.
WoW, is no different. You spend the average time you normally would spend in a part-time job engaging in raids.
Once again, nothing special.
So what makes WoW special?
I'll tell you this awful secret, and it is also nothing special.
It's called
commercialism, or advertising.
Blizzard is everywhere in terms of advertising. You see it on TV, you read about it in magazines, you see ads on the sides and top panels of every website that is gaming related about WoW. They even had their own special on South Park, and are endorsed by washed up celebrities.
If other MMORPGS were more willing to shell out on advertising, I'd be more than willing to bet that their subscription numbers would raise signifigantly over the course of a year
, which would pay for itself. Also secondarily providing a promotional benefit (gear, increased xp,etc) for a certain amount of time would easily hook new players and raise sub numbers.
So in conclusion, the only thing WoW has going for it, is heavy commercialism, due to the fact that no other games in its genre before it has done this. Its gameplay, interface, and endgame(i.e. the actual game itself) is nothing revolutionary, seeing as it is a mere copy of previous games in its genre.
(Don't get me started on the story line. That is an entirely different post.)
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