5 IPs That Should Be MMOs

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Recently, The Elder Scrolls made its transition from single-player campaign to a full MMO experience but there are plenty other franchises could be successful online communities. 

We hear of the big ticket titles like World of Warcraft or EverQuest in the MMO genre all the time but there are many games that have solid foundations to create a great MMO. What does it take to make an MMO? Some of our favorite titles may play great in the single-player or low-level multiplayer settings, they may not adapt well to being an MMO. In order to properly address what could make a transition to the MMO world, we need to consider some guidelines:

  1. A variety of races and/or classes available to diversify the player base.
  2. A rich story and setting which can be told through a number of adventurers, rather than one sole individual.
  3. Enough content to stretch beyond the singular driving campaign; something to keep people coming back.
  4. Optional: Unique enough to stand apart.
  5. Optional: Existing fanbase.

With such a large gaming market, and such a large MMO presence already on the field, it is no easy feat to try and consider what might make a successful MMO. We often think as MMOs as MMORPGs rather than just being massively multiplayer, which limits the scope through which we see potential franchises. With these things in mind, here are our picks for what IPs could become great MMOs with the right execution.

LEGO

I know, I know, “it’s been done” you’ll say, but never successfully. Many gripes that have been had over failed LEGO MMOs stems from two different camps of people and what they want out of their LEGO MMO. Some people seek an official Minecraft-style experience, complete with free-form building and limitless possibilities. Unfortunately, rules and regulations are par for the course in most MMOs. While having some elements of free form gameplay would be possible (player/guild housing, mount-building, tinker classes), LEGO would also give us access to its franchises.

Playing out different scenarios, factions, and classes based on those franchises would be an engaging experience if done correctly. Think Heroes of the Storm, but with all the bells and whistles of the LEGO franchises, combined with some Minecraft. Players could choose to start off in “Superhero” world (DC or Marvel), “Space” world (Star Wars) or “Magic” world (Harry Potter), and choose classes accordingly. Each world would have its own unique take on core classes, with each world also netting bonuses, like temporary sidekicks, mount rocket boosts, or magic time travel. There is a lot of untapped potential left to create a LEGO MMO.

Mass Effect

Anyone who has played the Mass Effect trilogy, or even knows someone who has played the trilogy, has likely considered this possibility themselves. Mass Effect satisfies all of the potentials for a stellar MMO experience. The world-building has already been done, with countless logs and journal entries available across the existing titles for all races and worlds we have experienced. Beyond that, there is a vast potential for new information and new stories all contained within the already developed world. The games already have some pre-determined classes to be filled; however, there are easily plenty of new classes lurking between the deep layers of the world, waiting to be picked out.

Without treading too far into Star Wars territory, there certainly would be the possibility of a bounty hunter-type, an assassin, a smuggler, or even a bard (or whatever the space equivalent would be). What’s so great about Mass Effect as a potential MMO is that not only could it be a space World of Warcraft-with-guns type experience, but it could also offer elements of EVE Online, and Star Wars: The Old Republic. The riskiness of investing in MMOs aside, fans of Mass Effect have been crying for an MMO, or at least as much of the existing world as can be created, for ages. With such a strong and engaging world already developed, the potential for further content, and an existing fanbase, Mass Effect would easily transition to a successful MMO experience.

Hitman

Ok, so bear with me on this one. While it may not seem like an instant go-to for an MMO experience, there is certainly something to be said for a world built around a giant group of assassins. Already from the lore, we know there are a number of agents which have been created for their own tasks. While a lot of the leveling experience would likely be masqueraded as training missions, and low-level assassinations, the game would certainly be a unique addition to the MMO collections we already have. In addition to stealth, or at least ‘sneakiness’ level, you would be able to train in different kinds of assassination or skill sets, so that much like the series, you could choose whether to use a gun, garrote, or just make the environment kill the person you’re after.

While it still might not seem like this would translate, consider that “raids” or group content could be a group of people going in and having to solve intricate problems, or staging intricate plots, in order to have a masterful assassination take place. Coordinated efforts and things pushed, pulled, or set off at the exact moment needed to have things turn out the way you’d want. Crafting professions could focus on stealing/looting/making disguises or weaponry. Special poisons or other consumables could also factor in. While Hitman might not transition completely to a full MMO experience, it may be a perfect kind to find its way onto a mobile gaming experience. Just enough diversity and engagement to warrant the flair of “MMO” without the depth required of a more developed platform. Plus, who doesn’t love the idea of the largest game of coordinated cat and mouse? This could also apply to other stealth franchises like Splinter Cell, Assassin’s Creed, or Tenchu.

Pokémon

Much like LEGO, I find myself surprised that Pokémon has not found its way into an official MMO. While it may lack the traditional elements of classes or races, the urge to collect, battle, and trade seems like it would translate very well into the MMO world. All of the stories and timelines from all of the cannon games could be stitched together into a grand network of a new title, which would help to not only develop the world for existing fans but also help to bridge the gap for those more recently interested in the game. Given the success since Pokémon GO’s launch earlier this year, even with the backfire, the game has received since it is clear that the franchise holds strong potential for turning over a new leaf into the MMO world.

As much as collecting critters and building your own Pokédex can be rewarding, there’s something altogether different and more exciting when bringing those mechanics into a newly fleshed out MMO world. Battling against Team Rocket and various gyms could be much more intense and require a larger group of people to accomplish. Venturing between towns would be increasingly dangerous and necessitate grouping in order to pass through unharmed. Whole teams could take over sections of the maps in clan-style and challenge people who cross through their territory.

It might be a bloody difficult mess, but it certainly is an intriguing thought. Besides, if we were to take the infrastructure and elements of Pokémon GO, and tie it into an online MMO, things could get a lot more interesting. Instead of an MMO where you just sit behind a computer/at a console, you could be taking it out into the world. I know portions of GO already exemplify this, but to take it that much further, and bring together both genres, would not only strengthen GO, but create something entirely new within the MMO subgenre.

Harry Potter

I have to say, of all the IPs on this list, and of all the potentials yet to hit the market, I am surprised we haven’t seen an MMO version of the Harry Potter universe. We’ve seen countless gaming titles, board games, “Pottermore”, and even the latest “Fantastic Beasts” release, and still we have yet to have an MMO. All of the building blocks are there: a diverse and rich background to draw from, engaging atmosphere, and existing fanbase. Classes may not exist per se, but you certainly have a vast number of potential factions, whether it be within Hogwarts alone or spread amongst all the wizarding schools. Your school or house may offer you special abilities, or perhaps you become specialized in the kind of magic you do.

There certainly seems to be no shortage of things needing tackling in the wizarding world, and with a fanbase so frequently craving more, this would be the perfect playground (quite literally) to develop. Imagine E-sports of Quidditch taking place, or even special events like the Triwizard Tournament (likely modified to include more people, or adapted in a WoW-type Scenario) to occur annually. Experience sorting, and life in the wizarding world every day. It’s hard to imagine that such a thing wouldn’t be successful–like an interactive MMO version of Pottermore. I wouldn’t be surprised if we actually get one some day–although hopefully, it’ll be the first VR-MMO. We can dream.

What games do you think would make great MMOs? Join in the conversation below, on Facebook, Twitter, or in the forums!

Images © – Bioware, IO Interactive,  LEGO, The Pokémon Company & Warner Bros. Pictures 

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