Let me start by making something clear: I would always prefer that a game go into maintenance mode rather than shutting down. While it may be sad to know that a game will never get another major update, it at least means that the game can still be accessed again by anyone who’s curious about it. That’s a good thing and it gives people a chance to still explore the game, even years later.
But for some players, that’s kind of the problem. The maintenance mode MMO is a museum, a walking tour. While you can still see it, there’s the very real possibility of feeling like you’re wandering a shuttered museum, and for some people that’s just unpleasant. Better to burn out than fade away, after all. It may not be a sentiment I personally agree with, but is one I understand.
So which would you prefer? A slow maintenance mode or a final shutdown?
Every morning, the Massively Overpowered writers team up with mascot Mo to ask MMORPG players pointed questions about the massively multiplayer online roleplaying genre. Grab a mug of your preferred beverage and take a stab at answering the question posed in today’s Daily Grind!
