Massively Interviews Matt Higby

[Hamma]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/news-massively-interviews-matt-higby-2780.htm

[Pyreal]

Nice :)

[Shogun]

higby is everywhere at once!

i am starting to think soe actually has invented the respawner and they are exploiting it to hell by cloning devs even when they are still alive ;)

oh and soe HAS LEARNED ;)

quote: Sony Online Entertainment has begun carpet-bombing media outlets with publicity relating to its upcoming PlanetSide 2 MMOFPS.

[RedKnights]

It's nice to hear they're "bombarding the media outlets" :D

[Rainfur]

Nice! :)

[DayOne]

I like that Higby has stopped saying that this game is an "ongoing challenge" but now refers to it as an "accomplishment". I hope I'm not wrong in assuming how close to beta this game really is!

[EVILoHOMER]

The game looks amazing so you guys deserve it! The first game from SOE since 2004 that has looked like it could be the next big thing so I hope it does well. SOE used to have a reputation for innovating in the genre and taking massive risks.... Everquest (not under the SOE name), Star Wars Galaxies, Planetside, Making a sequel to an MMO with EQ2 and buying Vanguard. Even DCUO was trying something different and bringing it to both PC and PS3, though it was crap due to a poor UI and lack of content.

I just hope SOE has swept the shady past of the NGE and other things away and really pulls of Planetside 2. When I heard PS2 was coming I thought it would be a dumbed down F2P instanced based game like every other "MMO"FPS these days. I really didn't expect SOE to not only make something worthy of PS but something that can give Crysis/Battlefield 3 a run for it's money in the graphics department. The engine possibly has the best lighting I've seen in a game, the night tracers look amazing, though I fully expect them to be toned down in the final game due to the amount of people playing.

The only thing I'm worried about is not getting into beta :D Would really be sad to be on these forums hearing about how many people are in beta :( lol.

Really makes me have high hopes for how seamless and open EQ3 could be and seeing what this engine can do with PS2, I'm so excited to see what SOE does with EQ3.

[Thomas]

Bright days ahead

[Shogun]

i like his rts bug reference. it is so true!
because i was bit by the nasty mmofps bug and it itches so bad! need to scratch it with a massive new mmofps! it´s so cruel that nothing else worked to do this for such a long time!

[Stardouser]

Do you think MMOFPS titles are somewhat niche, then, and if so, do you think PS2 has enough crossover appeal to broaden the market in some sense?

Nine years ago, PlanetSide shipped to a world that wasn't quite ready yet. Hardware requirements, broadband saturation and comfort-level with subscription models all contributed to the game remaining relatively niche. As cliché as it sounds, it really was a game that was in many ways ahead of its time.

As a genre, MMOFPS is a breakout just waiting to happen. Most action gamers crave an epic, larger than life experience, and being able to be part of the type of battles that are uniquely possible in an MMOFPS is about as epic as it gets. When the world sees what we've accomplished with PlanetSide 2, I fully expect to see MMOFPS become a new industry buzzword, just like MMORPG was when people saw that promise in the original EverQuest.


For the past few years, I have been trying to convince anyone that will listen that Battlefield gameplay mixed with a WW2 Online map for a persistent MMOFPS would be AWESOME. And I always found that there are 4 main objections, some of which are false and some which aren't:
1. Hardware won't run it. We know this isn't true...I know we can't have DICE's "Destruction" in an MMOFPS but that's not essential anyway.
2. It's too chaotic with so many players, what if the server crashes or we all lag. There are multiple ways to handle this. PS2 is handling it with continents, WW2OL is one huge megacontinent and they have spawn limitations per base area(and travel time discourages 20000 people from going to the same spot). Some people also just don't realize that MMORPGs are the same thing (in a way) and they are run off server clusters.
3. I don't want to pay $14.99/month. I never dreamed free 2 play would be the answer, but here you go. But yes, many people wouldn't even listen to my idea because they just knew it would be a monthly fee.
4. When does the round end and I get to see myself on top of the KDR? Do we really need to keep catering to this? KDR play won't stop until we stop catering to it.

All in all, looks like Planetside 2 is going to be the Spearhead of the MMOFPS Invasion!

[Shogun]

For the past few years, I have been trying to convince anyone that will listen that Battlefield gameplay mixed with a WW2 Online map for a persistent MMOFPS would be AWESOME. And I always found that there are 4 main objections, some of which are false and some which aren't:
1. Hardware won't run it. We know this isn't true...I know we can't have DICE's "Destruction" in an MMOFPS but that's not essential anyway.
2. It's too chaotic with so many players, what if the server crashes or we all lag. There are multiple ways to handle this. PS2 is handling it with continents, WW2OL is one huge megacontinent and they have spawn limitations per base area(and travel time discourages 20000 people from going to the same spot). Some people also just don't realize that MMORPGs are the same thing (in a way) and they are run off server clusters.
3. I don't want to pay $14.99/month. I never dreamed free 2 play would be the answer, but here you go. But yes, many people wouldn't even listen to my idea because they just knew it would be a monthly fee.
4. When does the round end and I get to see myself on top of the KDR? Do we really need to keep catering to this? KDR play won't stop until we stop catering to it.

All in all, looks like Planetside 2 is going to be the Spearhead of the MMOFPS Invasion!

you are so right!
back in 2003 i couldn´t get too many friends try planetside because they wouldn´t even consider to pay a monthly fee for a game. this problem is solved now! and it was the main concern! the graphics or performance problems were peanuts ;) hey, 300 players in one battle!

if ps1 was free to play (and hackerproof) i am still sure it would have evolved to the most played and successful game. and i really hope ps2 will be that spearhead ps1 should have been! it´s the only real mmofps AND it´s the first real AAA free to play game! it´s compared to halo, bf and cod all the time... but all of those games were sold for big money! ps2 will even be of better quality and be free!

[CrossFire]

Great Article.

Also, I'd like to say that Hamma: you've done a great job keeping up with the influx in media coverage. Keep up the good work and can't wait to frag with you.

[Gonefshn]

Planetside 2 is going to have a massive audience I have no doubt. I am also sure it's success will spawn many more true open world MMOFPS games from other developers.

I doubt this game will dethrone a huge game like WoW But I've got no worries they know what they are doing and will pull out a game with a dedicated audience for years and years to come!

[EVILoHOMER]

PS came at a time where people weren't ready to subscribe yet and it took WoW to open peoples minds to it. However we've gone back the the point where people aren't willing to subscribe and moved to F2P so it's great SOE realised this and is going F2P.

[Hmr85]

That was a great read. I have no doubt that PS2 is going to finally kick start the MMOFPS genre due to it being highly successful.

[Stardouser]

Speaking of kick-starting the MMOFPS genre, I REALLY think that there is going to be plenty of market room for SOE to do both PS2(future theme) and a modern themed MMOFPS. In fact, the infantry combat of a SOE modern theme MMOFPS would not need to be any different overall from PS2. Just take out the MAXs, shields and jump jets, and reskin the infantry to modern theme, and change the vehicles to Blackhawks and Little Birds(Galaxies), F16 and F18(Mosquito), Apache(Liberator), and A10(Reaver). And then you'd have M1A2 tanks, LAV-25 and Bradley APCs/IFVs, whatever the current AA vehicles are, Humvees, etc on the ground.

Why shouldn't SOE double dip the marketplace if there's room and they can use the SAME engine? I would advise megacontinents though, not small continents.

[Atheosim]

I believe in this game very deeply but it's the fickle audience that I'm worried about. What supermassive publisher is going to focus group the shit out of their countless advertisements and sway the crowd to whatever their ripoff is? All it takes is a CoD MMO and it could be lights out for PS2.

[Stardouser]

I believe in this game very deeply but it's the fickle audience that I'm worried about. What supermassive publisher is going to focus group the shit out of their countless advertisements and sway the crowd to whatever their ripoff is? All it takes is a CoD MMO and it could be lights out for PS2.

All the more reason to beat CoD to the punch and SOE do a modern theme MMOFPS as well. Surely Higbee can manage a second MMO team at the same time...

[Atheosim]

All the more reason to beat CoD to the punch and SOE do a modern theme MMOFPS as well. Surely Higbee can manage a second MMO team at the same time...

Doing a single MMOFPS is a nigh insurmountable mountain to hurdle, doing 2 would be insane.

[Gogita]

You REALLY don't know if there is enough space in the market for 2 identical MMOFPSs with different models only. There is nothing to back up your statement with.

And as Atheosim said, running a huge MMOFPS isn't really child's play, let alone 2....

[Stardouser]

Doing a single MMOFPS is a nigh insurmountable mountain to hurdle, doing 2 would be insane.

For one team, sure. I am literally suggesting that SOE invest in hiring a completely new team, the same size as PS2's team(less however many people they don't need since the engine itself is already done), to make the second game.

And besides, soaking up that many programmers and artists etc, reduces the number available for the other companies to hire to get such a project started.

You REALLY don't know if there is enough space in the market for 2 identical MMOFPSs with different models only. There is nothing to back up your statement with.

And as Atheosim said, running a huge MMOFPS isn't really child's play, let alone 2....

I don't know anything, no. But I've seen enough people with future theme hate that I still feel confident that there are a lot in the market at large who share that sentiment and who therefore won't want PS2, and won't play it, but would play a modern theme one.

But there's no need to just trust me, I'm sure SOE has the personnel who could do a feasibility study to find this out if they would only look.

Also, FOR EXAMPLE, I believe a modern theme MMOFPS would be more conducive to a victory condition, as well as the people who would play it would be more demanding of a victory condition, so it wouldn't be identical. Note that this was an example, NOT to start a victory condition thread.

[Thomas]

I don't think Activision would be able to bring itself to do a F2P MMOFPS. CoD makes them more money each installment every year, why do a free MMO with a playerbase that will decline each year?

[Atheosim]

I don't think Activision would be able to bring itself to do a F2P MMOFPS. CoD makes them more money each installment every year, why do a free MMO with a playerbase that will decline each year?

I guess they'll have to see how good SOE does with PS2.

[Gogita]

I just think it's a terrible idea for SOE to compete with itself by creating 2 games in the same genre. It is not the case that there are 2 completely separate markets when it comes to the setting of the FPS. Making a second MMOFPS will only result in the one draining players from the other.

[Stardouser]

I just think it's a terrible idea for SOE to compete with itself by creating 2 games in the same genre. It is not the case that there are 2 completely separate markets when it comes to the setting of the FPS. Making a second MMOFPS will only result in the one draining players from the other.

Well, what would be better? Have some minor inefficiency from competing with yourself, or compete with an enemy company and lose market share directly? And unless we're wrong and PS2 flops, there will be competitor MMOFPS's coming. When the next one comes and it and PS2 can both coexist, what then?

I also think you are far overestimating the potential similarities. How many different fantasy MMORPGs is SOE running concurrently now? At least 3? A modern theme MMOFPS might be in the same genre as PS2, but then, EQ1, EQ2, Vanguard, and who knows what else, they are all in the Fantasy MMORPG genre too.

Also, the fact that the engine is already done and can simply be copied for use in another MMOFPS, surely that counts for something.

I'm passionate about this because the last thing I want to see is companies like EA and Activision, who have no doubt had this idea suggested to them many times, sweep in at the last minute and steal SOE's thunder by presenting their own modern theme MMOFPS.

[Gogita]

EQ was released in 1999, EQ2 in 2004 and Vanguard in 2007. That is very different from releasing two similar games at the same time.

Also, what you are assuming is that if SOE releases a modern shooter MMOFPS, no other company will try to enter the market anymore. That's a big assumption to make.

[Atheosim]

So basically everybody who wants an MMOFPS will be forced to play PS2. Once they've spent money on their accounts and leveled up some and so on and so forth, the draw to competing MMOFPSs once (if) they're created will be diminished.

[Stardouser]

EQ was released in 1999, EQ2 in 2004 and Vanguard in 2007. That is very different from releasing two similar games at the same time.

Also, what you are assuming is that if SOE releases a modern shooter MMOFPS, no other company will try to enter the market anymore. That's a big assumption to make.

No, not assuming that at all. Of course, what I am assuming is probably just as big of an assumption, so you're not far off... and that is that if SOE makes it to market first with a modern one, that they will be able to earn loyalty that will trump Activision's brand loyalty when they finally bring one to market.

[Gogita]

While it is true that there might be some First-mover advantage, I think this will only blow right in the face of SOE.

We know that the developers have carefully looked at the current FPSs that are popular such as CoD and BF2, and therefore have adapted PS2 to the preferences of current gamers. SOE wants to pull in the players that play CoD or BF2 into PS2. However, if SOE would release a modern-shooter MMOFPS, it will be more likely that the players SOE initially wanted to pull into playing PS2 will instead go and play the modern-shooter MMOFPS, and that is a huge blow in the playerbase of PS2, therefore seriously hurting it.

That's my guess to it

[Hyiero]

For one thing undertaking a MMO is a huge undertaking that takes years to accomplish,and as of right now SOE is the only company that has a game out there close to completion. So no worries on someone coming in and sweeping out PS2 people as seeing the more people that get bite by the MMOFPS bug will no longer be satisfied by the normal small round FPS's. Don't get me wrong, I have played bf2 and 3 after planetside but the amount I spent in PS was double the time I spent in both of those games and if I had a game that could give me that MMOFPS feel back I would already be playing it. So PS2 will be big, there is no doubt,just need to focus on getting the game as ready as it can be for a solid launch and then maintaining a good audience by keep the game going in the right direction....stay away BFR's!!!!!!!

[Gogita]

It takes years to develop, but who says that the competition hasnt been working on it for years already?

[Shogun]

how could soe hire a second team for a second mmofps?

if mmofps was easy to do we would already play a lot of them for years!

soe already has the only team that is capable of pulling such an impossible thing of! they only recruited the best of the best for the ps2 team. they would have to send out headhunters to collect other developers that come close from other companys and they will not be easy or cheap to get. damn look at our devs and how awesome they are! not only with the excellent quality they deliver, but also with their unique approach on gamedevelopement including the community!

they would have to draw ressources from ps2 and that´s bad. i would prefer one mmofps with the unshared support from soe and the devs instead of 2 games that have to share awesomeness and will both suffer from this!

after all ps2 is a huge experiment for soe. it has to be a success and is a huge risk. they may think of a modern day spinoff after ps2 saved the company and has become the number one game. then the risk is smaller because they know how the market for mmofps looks like.

[Stardouser]

Wait..."experiment", plus "Planetside 2"...does not compute :)

[Galapogos]

I think competition in the mmofps market is a good thing. What im about to say may considered heresy, but I love planetside because of the experience it offers, not really the lore or the aesthetics, not that either are bad at all. But if in a few years another mmofps came that could offer me the same experience presented in a way that I would prefer, I may very well switch to that game. But, since it will probably be a while before or if any possible contenders appear, ps2 will be plenty established by then, so the competition will have to meet or surpass the precedents that ps2 will have established by then.

[captainkapautz]

Sorry, but the idea of SOE hiring a new team to literally produce "Call of Planetsidefield" is just batshit insane.

[Atheosim]

Sorry, but the idea of SOE hiring a new team to literally produce "Call of Planetsidefield" is just batshit insane.

Hahaha, I didn't want to say it :p

[Stardouser]

Sorry, but the idea of SOE hiring a new team to literally produce "Call of Planetsidefield" is just batshit insane.

The irony of your statement is that future theme is the only separation between PS2 and a BF MMO anyway. Also, all Planetside 2's are an MMOFPS, but not all MMOFPS are Planetside 2.

[Graywolves]

This is how I expect PS2 launch day to be.

Yub Nub (Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi Ending) - YouTube

Only all the Ewoks will be at home on their computers. But still dancing and singing.

[Bags]

The irony of your statement is that future theme is the only separation between PS2 and a BF MMO anyway. Also, all Planetside 2's are an MMOFPS, but not all MMOFPS are Planetside 2.

Let me go hop in my BF galaxy~

[Stardouser]

Let me go hop in my BF galaxy~

When I say future theme, that means the fact that we have Galaxies instead of Blackhawks,and so on down the line...obviously due to the chosen tech, there are some things that are not 1 for 1 evolved into a future equivalent, such as no helicopter equivalent, jets simply hover.

Also, a modern theme MMO should have heavy cityscapes, unlike PS2 which has zero.

[MaxDamage]

I can't be the only one who actually remembers reading the forums for 3 years and seeing them full of people complaining more than any other game I had played before or since.
You could call it 'passion', I call it despiriting and poisonous to the community. The first thing people saw was negativity on the boards.

People do check forums out before considering a purchase!

Thankfully the game was amazing.

[Bags]

When I say future theme, that means the fact that we have Galaxies instead of Blackhawks,and so on down the line...obviously due to the chosen tech, there are some things that are not 1 for 1 evolved into a future equivalent, such as no helicopter equivalent, jets simply hover.

Just teasin'.

[sylphaen]

I can't be the only one who actually remembers reading the forums for 3 years and seeing them full of people complaining more than any other game I had played before or since.
You could call it 'passion', I call it despiriting and poisonous to the community. The first thing people saw was negativity on the boards.

People do check forums out before considering a purchase!

Thankfully the game was amazing.

There were reasons to complain about some PS1 issues and where that game was taken. 2-3 years ago, PS2 was still Vaporware and SOE still with a terrible reputation.

To each period its context.

I was bitter to see how SOE was wasting a great idea and game like Planetside. However, I am now very grateful to see they took another chance at the MMOFPS concept which is a lot of risk for them.

[IMMentat]

Who ever taught SOE how to advertise needs a pay-raise and a nobel prize for getting blood from a stone.

[Mastachief]

People are very fixed on the idea that a playerbase must decrease over time. With a good engine like forgelight and constant expansions (eve style) could see consistent growth.

[Corax]

Also, a modern theme MMO should have heavy cityscapes, unlike PS2 which has zero.


Hey just a heads up star (in case you missed it from back when) the devs have actually hinted at a few times in the past about how a continent or 2 will actually have some cityscapes/urban areas. I believe we have actually seen a few concept art pieces about it too.

Right now we have only seen 1 continent, and only a few localized areas at that.

We are getting 3 continents at launch. So Im sure they have things in there that will most assuredly scratch that urban fight itch nicely.

I for one and am really looking forward to seeing Planetside 2's take on city fights. As they have always been among my favorite combat settings in almost all gaming mediums.

:thumbsup: