[Valigarmander]

Blizzard Advises Rival MMO Developers to Not Copy WoW

It might come across as cockiness, but Blizzard doesn't think anyone should try to copy the formula that World of Warcraft follows. WoW has a dominant grasp on the subscription-based MMO market and, try as they might, rival developers who attempt to create a similar type of MMO experience -- whether that be in the form of Warhammer Online, Age of Conan, Lord of the Rings Online, or any of the other games that are often classified as "WoW clones" -- have yet to succeed in challenging WoW's position as top dog. And that's why Blizzard lead producer Shane Dabiri told PC Zone magazine (via CVG) that developers working on an MMO should try to innovate rather than copy what's been successful in the past.

"There are a lot of people that try to emulate World of Warcraft -- and as flattering as that is [on] our end it's definitely not the right move," he explained. "I know that World of Warcraft is very successful, and so people think if they were to make another game just like it they could somehow capture that audience. However, I don't think that's what players are looking for."

Dabiri said he believes that gamers want to do something different than what WoW offers when playing other games. And in that regard, he does seem to be right -- otherwise, wouldn't gamers just play WoW?

He continued, "I think the industry needs to move in that direction to come up with some innovative new MMOs that are trying really different things. Take City of Heroes -- at least that's something that's not a fantasy game."

It doesn't sound like he gives City of Heroes much credit for being unique outside of its setting even though it does offer up an experience that doesn't mirror that of WoW's as closely as many other MMOs.

As simple as it sounds to innovate and do something different than World of Warcraft, it does feel like countless MMOs have been released that do little to add to the genre. Do you think Dabiri is right, or is there success to still be found by mimicking what's worked for Blizzard?

Wasn't WoW copying Everquest in the first place?