Comments on: Everyone’s A Prophet This Week

By: Broken Toys » It’s Beginning… To Look A Lot Like… Pontification

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:15:22 +0000

[...] that being the job of every pundit this time of year. But first, let’s see how I did last year so you can judge whether or not you should bother to read the rest of this post! This is going to [...]

By: Michael Pearson

Michael Pearson — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 02:40:16 +0000

WotLK prediction: They’ve told everybody (I can’t remember where) that it won’t reset gear, and that your L6 epics won’t be replaced by greens at level 72. So it’s still worth progressing through BC content.

I reckon they’re lying and that the first drop I get off a mob in Northrend will instantly devalue everything else I’m wearing.

I’m not saying this to be bitter – I don’t grind, so I’m not going to lose much, I still actually enjoy all of my playtime – I’m just saying it because new, easily obtainable shinies suck jaded players back in to the game.

I don’t think that WotLK will be as big a change as BC was, though. The opening questlines for BC are just _so much better_ than the late 50’s content in Azeroth that I don’t really think that they can make a leap that big again.

By: =j

=j — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 17:51:55 +0000

I think that SW:G categorically proved that rabid fan-base is not a strong indicator for game success.

By: blachawk

blachawk — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:09:49 +0000

I disagree on a few points:

Warhammer will NOT hit a million subscribers. I think they’ll be lucky to maintain 250,000 subscribers (only counting North America and Europe). Mythic is hoping for lots of WoW refugees, but I think after playing for a month and realizing the gameplay isn’t nearly as compelling as WoW’s, most converts will go back to the characters into which they’ve already sunk years of their lives.

The democrats will not win in a landslide, unless you consider a landslide to be 52% of the vote. Don’t be fooled down there in liberalville Austin. Despite being inundated with news, TV shows, and movies that declare the only ’smart’ choice is to vote democrat, much of the American public is still very conservative with their vote.

By: Jeff Freeman

Jeff Freeman — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:54:49 +0000

> Someday I will be 100% vindicated, and probably dead.

Then we’ll note, “Well… Raph did say he’d be dead someday. I guess he was right about that, too.”

By: Raph

Raph — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 07:37:37 +0000

I like any predictions that say I will be vindicated.

Of course, I tend to think I get more vindicated every year. Someday I will be 100% vindicated, and probably dead.

By: M Grey

M Grey — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:01:10 +0000

If all those games with “Sim” in the title can be used as a gauge for future success, Spore probably has the best chance for selling more boxes than this year’s WoW expansion. Assuming Spore doesn’t get pushed back again, again.

Otherwise you’re probably right, Scott.

By: chabuhi

chabuhi — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 19:33:16 +0000

Peronally, I’m holding out for De Bellis Antiquitatis Online or, say, a Carcasonne MMO.

By: Angel13

Angel13 — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:59:53 +0000

Don’t underestimate Warhammer Online. Most people who discuss this particular product are almost always pulling their predictions from the current MMORPG player base and estimated potential new players.

Warhammer has a VERY devout following in the table top war-game sector. Games Workshop is THE most successful TTWG manufacturer in the world.

Those who play the Warhammer 40k TTWG will play Warhammer Online till a WH 40k MMORPG is developed. Games Workshop is KNOWN for brand loyalty… I would almost say 1 mill subscribers may be a conservative estimate. It could be as much as double that.

Nay-say this if you like. I pull this estimate from years of experience as a manager of a tabletop game shop. Games Workshop product was my bread and butter… it sold itself.

By: Mist

Mist — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:57:22 +0000

Or you know, Privateer Online, or Wing Commander Online… theres a ton of unused space IPs floating around, well not floating around, owned by EA infact, that could be leveraged into new MMOs.

As for all these predictions of Warhammer’s success, I’ve played Warhammer and well… *NDA*