Sega Talks on Total War MMO, 3D
Sega is considering both 3D and a Total War MMO.
Mike Hayes of Sega West recently spoke with CVG about the company's new strategy for hardcore and casual games, Sony's PlayStation Move, what's coming to E3 2010, and the future of the Total War strategy series.
Hayes admitted that many people have asked if the company has considered taking the Total War franchise into MMO territory, however he would not confirm that Sega is indeed heading in that direction.
"We're constantly looking at [taking Total War in that direction], but MMO is a very competitive market," he said. "We want to get the core games right before anything else." He also added that MMOs are "feast or famine" with publishers, noting the somewhat-profitable Football Manager Live which has a 35,000-user fanbase.
The core games Hayes refers to is Aliens vs. Predator, Aplpha Protocol, and Bayonetta. He said that Sega is hoping to extend those games into full-blown franchises, to "sequal-ize" these particular titles. With that said, a Total War MMO may be a ways off... if at all.
Hayes also offered his take on 3D gaming, emphasizing that it's important to provide the real enhanced experience rather than throw in the technology "for technology's sake." His comment echos James Cameron and Codemasters Studios VP Gavin Cheshire who both insist that 3D projects are to be constructed from the beginning, and not tacked on in later stages.
"The first few games to prove we can play in three dimensions will be amazing," he said. "But eventually it will go back to what the story is, what the emotional connection is. It will just become: 'Oh, it's 3D again...' For us, we're still some way off 3D games until we can make one that's commercially viable."
How about a first-person 3D Sonic title?
Btw, for the lovers of Rome:TW, Europa Barbarorum is the greatest mod ever created for RTW, possible the greatest RTS mod ever created.
No, quality is declining because they rush games out, instead of releasing them when they are finished.
And no, Europa Barbarorum isn't the best mod because it's so painfully slow. You hit end turn and then you have time to drink some beers until you can play again.
On topic: They barely made campaign map multiplayer, and now they think of MMO? I don't see this happening.
Total War MMO? Can't wait.
With Total War, I'd like to see more of a community toolkit come first with Facebook implementation, a more consolidated forum that's not spread between third and first party sites, etc. Once that's been established and the game franchises are all linked again, moving into an MMO environment would be easier and far more viable.
As for going into 3D territory, until SEGA is solid on making quality games (and this year's line has been very solid and fun so far) consistently, it's not something they should try investing money in. Hopefully, to that end, they'll follow their own advise...