Here’s a fun thought exercise: What if standard assumptions about IPs and games is wrong? To hear some people tell it, games like Star Wars Galaxies and Lord of the Rings Online would’ve gone nowhere but for the popularity of their IPs. But Raph Koster contradicted that in a thread originally about the diversity of the modern MMO genre earlier this week.
“Historically, videogame IPs have ALWAYS outperformed non-videgame IPs in games, on average and in general. It’s less of a boost than people think,” he tweeted. “[IPs] definitely can expand audience, but the biggest franchises are all homegrown in games. Mario, Pokémon, Call of Duty, etc — it’s always been that way.”
I wonder whether your own perception about the power of IPs has an effect on your play choices, contrary to the actual metrics. How much does an MMO’s IP influence your interest in it? To the pollmobile! (This poll allows multiple answers since there’s overlap!)
Leaderboard: How much does an MMO's IP influence your interest in it?
- I don't care at all whether an MMO has a non-gaming IP attached to it. (24%, 62 Votes)
- I'm more likely to play an MMO with a popular non-gaming IP. (18%, 48 Votes)
- I'm less likely to play an MMO with a popular non-gaming IP. (6%, 15 Votes)
- I flat-out won't play an MMO with a popular non-gaming IP. (1%, 3 Votes)
- I flat-out won't play an MMO without a popular non-gaming IP. (1%, 2 Votes)
- I worry about longevity and licensing when an MMO uses a non-gaming IP. (18%, 47 Votes)
- I fuss over fidelity to the IP when an MMO uses a non-gaming IP. (9%, 24 Votes)
- I worry about the extra expenses when an MMO uses a non-gaming IP. (11%, 29 Votes)
- I worry about non-gaming audiences flooding into MMOs using non-gaming IPs. (3%, 8 Votes)
- Something else (tell us in the comments!) (5%, 13 Votes)
- No answer / view tally / elf butts (4%, 10 Votes)
Total Voters: 175
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