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Forming an MMORPG business
Smokey el Bandito
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've always loved videogames, and lately I've been thinking about starting up a business using the MMORPG genre, selling items and/or accounts for cash. I've done a bit of research, but I still need to do a lot more, and I figured this would be a fairly good place to ask a few of the questions I can't find answers for, since a lot of you guys that read these forums are MMO gamers.
That said, I have been debating on which MMO to start up with. The main games I've been looking at as a start up point are World of Warcraft, Aion, and EVE. I know that World of Warcraft currently has the largest fanbase of the three, but what scares me just a little (since I know MMO's take a very long time to die) is the game's age. Is the fanbase dropping off at all with the release of Aion? Does anyone expect that with the other MMO games coming out in the next year, WoW may die down? How many hours, roughly, does it take a character to level to 80 on average?
Speaking of Aion, is the fanbase still growing at a good rate or has it tapered off? How many hours does it take a character to level to 50, on average?
I haven't done as much research about EVE, even though it intrigues me. I love sci-fi settings, but I haven't gotten in depth with learning about that game, yet. I did notice that EVE accounts are, on average, quite a bit more expensive than Aion or WoW accounts. I assume this is because it takes longer to reach a high level. Is this correct?
How dynamic are these games? I know WoW has a lot of replay value. Is there a large amount of replay value for EVE and Aion, or do the games get repetitive quickly?
I've been able to find a fair amount of accounts for sale, but the much harder information to find is how well they are selling. Would anyone here know what the markets are like right now for selling accounts or items? If so, I could use the help.
Thanks for reading guys, and extra thanks if you reply.
That said, I have been debating on which MMO to start up with. The main games I've been looking at as a start up point are World of Warcraft, Aion, and EVE. I know that World of Warcraft currently has the largest fanbase of the three, but what scares me just a little (since I know MMO's take a very long time to die) is the game's age. Is the fanbase dropping off at all with the release of Aion? Does anyone expect that with the other MMO games coming out in the next year, WoW may die down? How many hours, roughly, does it take a character to level to 80 on average?
Speaking of Aion, is the fanbase still growing at a good rate or has it tapered off? How many hours does it take a character to level to 50, on average?
I haven't done as much research about EVE, even though it intrigues me. I love sci-fi settings, but I haven't gotten in depth with learning about that game, yet. I did notice that EVE accounts are, on average, quite a bit more expensive than Aion or WoW accounts. I assume this is because it takes longer to reach a high level. Is this correct?
How dynamic are these games? I know WoW has a lot of replay value. Is there a large amount of replay value for EVE and Aion, or do the games get repetitive quickly?
I've been able to find a fair amount of accounts for sale, but the much harder information to find is how well they are selling. Would anyone here know what the markets are like right now for selling accounts or items? If so, I could use the help.
Thanks for reading guys, and extra thanks if you reply.
Smokey el Bandito on
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This discussion has been closed.
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In EVE I know people trade their in game money to buy time cards for their monthly fees, beyond that I don't know much.
Second Life is really the only one I know of that really pushes for people to spend and earn real cash in game.
I don't know the policy for selling accounts in WoW but getting a toon up to level 80 would take 6 to 10 days with the Zygor guide. (that's 6 to 10 24 hour days by the way)
As for Eve... they don't just frown upon people selling accounts (and kredits) for real cash. They'll ban you for it. The reason Eve accounts are more expensive is that it takes a LOT longer to get your toon to a decent level... months or years in fact. The reason is that there is no leveling per say. You buy skill books and then train said books for a period of time (sometimes it'll take more than 30 days real time just to train one skill).
good luck.
The legal enforceability of EULAs is questionable, but really even if they don't sue you they would have no problem banning the account then you are out the subscription fee, and the time you invested. Also if you look at the hourly rate you would make doing this it'd be stupidly low. What I'm saying is don't do it, you're taking a risk and even if your risk works out you still aren't very well off.
Which would be a really creepy service.
Considering that Psystar just got sued out of existence by Apple for EULA violation, I'd say the legal enforceability isn't questionable at all for the time being. Sadly enough, no, it is not realistic to make money playing games.
PSN: TheScrublet
While there are theoretical issues with EULA, practically if a large corporation with expensive lawyers on retainer wants to sue you you're pretty much done for.
If you don't already know the answer to all these questions you have no hope of success. You should not set up any business when you are completely ignorant about even the surface of the industry, such as how long it takes to level a character in your case.
Also it's often illegal as people have already pointed out, so expect this thread to lock shortly.
You can make money by being a highend player in EVE, by selling timecards. But you have to invest quite a bit of time learning the game and growing your character before you'll be able to turn it into a reliable revenue stream.
No matter what you're doing it'll be very repetitive. You're not playing a game, you're doing a job.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
it doesn't matter, as the Glide folks found out. Blizzard (or fill in the company) has a lot more money and a lot more lawyers and a lot friendier jurisdictions to sue in than you do.
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
This quote almost makes me want to do it! As it is I hardly pry myself away from games.
There is not. RMT is a venture that requires extremely poor people working from a country with an indifferent court system.
Having no substantial programming skills to speak of you are basically sunk for getting involved in the game services market.
it requires you to do a fair amount of work figuring out the mechanics of a new game though, and quickly if you want to beat the chinese
that's why we call it the struggle, you're supposed to sweat
... But without substantial programming skills to capitalize on it, you're basically just a sycophant riding off of the success of your smarter, worthier programmer friend who did the work.
Dyscord, I won't disagree that it is possible to come up with the next big thing. Take the dotlan maps for example; imagine if they had advertising instead of being run by donations. But coming up with the next big thing means having the talent to actually create the next big thing. There isn't enough money to be made on the next big thing for the developer to split it with the person who wants a piece of the action. If you want a piece of the action you code it yourself.
Or the Warhammer 40k MMO (assuming it ever comes out)...