Daybreak’s John Smedley recently had a very candid chat with GamesIndustry.biz, which ranged on a wide variety of subjects, including the zombie action survival MMO, H1Z1, as well as his wider ranging views on the MMO market.
On the latter subject, Smedley seems to believe that the days of World of Warcraft style engaged MMOs are over.
“I firmly believe the days of the WoW-style MMO are over,” Smedley said. “And that means we have to change with the times. Luckily, we were kind of early on that bus as opposed to late. But we’re changing what we’re making.
“And I say that because the average life expectancy in H1Z1 might be 45 minutes, and that’s what today’s gamers want. How many people do you still know that are still raiding in WoW every night, or EverQuestand EverQuest II? It’s just the time commitment necessary has changed so much,” Smedley explained. “That means we need to change with the times, and we are. So we’re getting interested in a broader array of games and gaming styles.”
Of course, this ignores the continuing success of World of Warcraft (which saw its subscribers go up in the previous reported quarter), as well as the success of multiple MMOs like it in the market, including Guild Wars 2. If the days of engaged MMOs are indeed done with, then why is it that those games, or others like them, such as Destiny, continue to thrive and prosper?