What will it take for a new PC game to have sustainable 500k + people playing?

[futurefields]

Answer:

Sequel to a well-loved IP. That's only way possible.



New IP's are DOA. Just not enough gamers out there to fill up all these games so that the matchmaking has enough people to work with.

 

[CuriousMike]

Is that the number that AAA titles sustain on PS4 / Xbone ? Say, whatever the latest COD is ?

I've always found that multiplayer games on PC that I play ( pick a racing or fighting game ) typically have about 3 people in the world that play, compared to thousands on console.

Obviously, DOTA, LOL, Battlfields etc are an exception.

I have high hopes for BattleField Star Wars.

 

[futurefields]

Is that the number that AAA titles sustain on PS4 / Xbone ? Say, whatever the latest COD is ?

I honestly have no idea. DOTA2 and CS:GO hit that park on PC but they are pretty much the only ones (on Steam, I'm sure WoW and Minecraft have tons as well).

 

[JujuFish]

I honestly have no idea. DOTA2 and CS:GO hit that park on PC but they are pretty much the only ones (on Steam, I'm sure WoW and Minecraft have tons as well).

I know DOTA 2, CS:GO, and Minecraft have topped 1 million concurrent, and LOL absolutely obliterates it with something like 8 million concurrent players.

 

[escrow4]

How about a meaty single player game that takes time to finish not a 5hr campaign shooter you can finish on your lunch break? How about not sacrificing the single player to shove in more multiplayer? How about stop focussing on more multiplayer rubbish and give gamers something worth spending money on?

 

[futurefields]

I know DOTA 2, CS:GO, and Minecraft have topped 1 million concurrent, and LOL absolutely obliterates it with something like 8 million concurrent players.

Wow, LOL is more popular than DOTA2?

Had no idea it was by that huge of a factor.

 

[futurefields]

How about a meaty single player game that takes time to finish not a 5hr campaign shooter you can finish on your lunch break? How about not sacrificing the single player to shove in more multiplayer? How about stop focussing on more multiplayer rubbish and give gamers something worth spending money on?

Witcher 3

 

[cmdrdredd]

Witcher 3

We're done with that. I'm done with it twice over. Batman is coming too but those are the types of games that matter to me. We don't need more MMOs, shooters, and copies of other FPS games that have no depth. I'd take a Deus Ex or Metro over Battlefield any day.

 

[Rakehellion]

Answer:

Sequel to a well-loved IP. That's only way possible.



New IP's are DOA. Just not enough gamers out there to fill up all these games so that the matchmaking has enough people to work with.

Well, duuhhh. No game is popular, until it is. Fandom isn't earned overnight.

 

[Newbian]

I've always found that multiplayer games on PC that I play ( pick a racing or fighting game ) typically have about 3 people in the world that play, compared to thousands on console.

That's your problem as you picked the wrong games usually for pc.

 

[JeffMD]

Answer:

Sequel to a well-loved IP. That's only way possible.

That is pretty short sighted. Good developers can have a good chance at this with a new IP. Ubisoft probably managed it with watch dogs. Blizzard easily did this with hearthstone, will probably have a good chance with heroes of the storm, and I have a good feeling they will manage it with overwatch. Blizzard is great with new IPs because they don't go forward with it unless they know it is going to succeed, and they of all companies are on top of future support and additional content.

What you are actually seeing and trying to classify is how big companies who do put out the best games (I am not saying all of their games are the best, but there are no best games from small indies right now) are all sticking with current IPs. And for three good reasons too, #1 they don't want to gamble with a new IP at current finances, #2 the staff WAN'TS to continue on a specific IP, and #3 alot of IPs have been expanding on creativity and are no longer one trick ponies like GTA, Tomb Raider, and Assassins creede.

In the end, the numbers you are looking for can be easily obtained under 2 main factors, #1 is the financial bar to get in easy to obtain? (is it free? monthly cost?) and #2 is the developer team quick on updates and additional content so people don't get bored?

There are many original IPs that are F2P (just consider all the damn korean MMOs) that easily break 500k players.

 

[escrow4]

Witcher 3

Already finished what AAA next? Nothing. AAA games are more and more copy and paste with throwaway single player if its included at all. In 8 years from Witcher 1 to now, we had 3 witchers, 3 mass effects, fallout/skyrim and 3 Dragon Age. Add one or 2 I might have missed. A baker's dozen or so fat single player games in near a decade? That's it? Assassins Creed is rubbish and heavily diluted by now too.

Where is the next Planescape? Where is the next Deus Ex? Where is something with a plot that makes sit back and actually think? Witcher III wasn't that good main plot wise anyway. Run around for half the game finding Ciri then slap in a few battles and BOOM done. The secondary quests and contracts were what made it worth playing not a bland main quest.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Where is the next Planescape? Where is the next Deus Ex?

They are on their way, along with a bunch of others. Just no idea when.

 

[sweenish]

I like the complaints about big RPG's that have become franchised, and then asks more of the same from different series.

Bravo.

Even funnier by the fact that sequels to both of those series have already been announced.

 

[DigDog]

1. coders that are capable and work hard.

2. a team that is capable at their own game.

3. a leader with a vision.


should be easy enough.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

How about a meaty single player game that takes time to finish not a 5hr campaign shooter you can finish on your lunch break?

I need to work where you work; apparently 5 hour lunch breaks are frowned upon at my current job.

 

[werepossum]

I need to work where you work; apparently 5 hour lunch breaks are frowned upon at my current job.

Wait - frowned upon even if you are playing video games???

Gonna need a minute here . . .

 

[OCNewbie]

Once the world population is 70 billion, in the year 2354, this will be possible

 

[escrow4]

I need to work where you work; apparently 5 hour lunch breaks are frowned upon at my current job.

Indeed. 30hrs gaming a week is smiled upon here.

 

[JumBie]

Wow, LOL is more popular than DOTA2?

Had no idea it was by that huge of a factor.

 

[imaheadcase]

I don't get it, its such a boring game. It literally has no fun value associated with it. "oh lets just fight NPCs and kill totems to get to other side. Lets throw in some real players with no real balance".

 

[Borealis7]

what's it gonna take?

make an addicting game in Chinese.