Attention grabbing, user friendly, and stability are the aspects that many gamers today (whether they'd like to admit it or not) seem to be flocking to in regards to Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games. Many MMORPGs have risen to the challenge to deliver these aspects with their own twist and take on the genre for the past 5 years but all, and I wouldn't say miserably, have failed. Back in the good ol' days of Everquest and Dark Age of Camelot, a population of 250,000 active accounts was considered a major success. Since those times, MMOs have taken a large step forward as the genre became more and more popular. It wasn't until the anomaly known as World of Warcraft was assembled that this genre found itself running circles against a singular virtual leviathan.

                You see, in the early years of MMOs, things were tough and only those who strived to survive online could really enjoy these games and progress. Harsh penalties were garnered left and right, items would be taken away due to death, getting your hit points regenerated took up to 10 minutes of sitting still per fight, and only the people who didn't really have many real life priorities could become top dog. Now, with World of Warcraft, the face of success has changed. Here you had a game with graphics that weren't anything close to breathtaking; however,  that was fine because it ran on the school's desktops. It didn't force you to be on all day and all night to progress which allowed for the more casual or shy a chance to get involved. Its story wasn't something unheard of, yet  it was simple enough to grasp. It is since the release of the game in 2004 that they've managed to take the success of 250,000 to over 10 million subscribers.

                However, what allowed them to succeed where others have failed? Haven't more and more games come out that follow these bread and butter footsteps? Almost every MMO that has come out since World of Warcraft has been deemed a clone because many companies, rightfully so, want to be part of this success. Warhammer claimed not to follow this trend and went on its own path to place a large foothold on Online PVP. Unfortunately, the game was hammered (puns, hah!) by a horribly unstable engine, lack of developer produced end game, uninspiring player produced end game, and unreasonably horrendous server latency problems. Age of Conan did its best to try and make a face for itself by producing gorgeous graphics, a new innovative combat engine which hasn't been used in the genre before, and a Mature rating (boobies). Regardless of the vast amount of blood and breasts this game was slaughtered by lack of content, clipping issues, isolating a large population with ridiculous computer hardware requirements, and again, lack of content. Then there was Lord of the Rings Online. This game did not hide that is was World of Warcraft with Hobbits but it upped the graphics in a way where the game looked beautiful and could run properly on mediocre systems.  The only problem Lord of the Rings faced was the fact that the game was boring for most. While Lord of the Rings was a wonderfully epic story, it was a bit tedious and this atmosphere knuckle dragged itself into the game.

                This perceived formula for success doesn't appear to be working anymore. The genre seems to avoid taking steps into the right direction because of the elephant in the room. I wouldn't claim myself to be some savior that knows what could be the elements to create the executioner of Warcraft but as a player I do feel something is missing. I cannot quite pin point what it is but there are some elements out there that we as gamers have been yearning for. We're looking for something fresh to be excited about. Something that will bring us into a state of awe when we see it and doesn't feel like a flavor of the month game. Whatever Warcraft did to gain its success, it won't work again for anyone else even if they copied the game bit by bit. It is an inconsistency in online gaming that cannot be replicated or properly explained by a mere mortal as myself. It is unclear why so many people continue to hold onto it like a newborn piglet suckling milk from its mother. At this point, if you're still inspired by what World of Warcraft has to offer and don't feel you are at a loss for something, you're just a hog not letting go of their mother's tit. Gamers are starved for the next big thing. When will it come and deliver something fresh to us? Something stable? Something accessible to all? Something that is easy to dive into but not so simple that a simpleton could dominate you in?  We'll just have to wait and see what the future brings. Star Wars, Star Trek, Secret World... save us!