Scott Jennings’ MMO news headlines, and Paul Barnett doesn’t play MMOs?

18Sep08

In his latest blog post Scott Jennings goes over all the recent tidbits from the MMO world.

• Wrath of the Lich King release date now official
• Blizzard Releases some impressive numbers in a stockholder/analyst call
• Age of Conan PvP updates
• More on Age of Conan’s recent leadership change
• Warhammer Online release
• Paul Barnett on why WAR is better than WoW
• Paul Barnett on why he doesn’t play MMOs

Wait… Paul Barnett doesn’t play MMOs?

Personally I was rather stunned to hear that Paul Barnett doesn’t play other MMOs. I know many MMO studios that would point blank refuse to hire you into a design role on that basis. He makes the point of not being able to work out what is genius and what is flawed, and not wanting to be inspired by the wrong parts… Surely as an MMO designer it is part of your job description to be able to work that kind of thing out? Check out competing products? Understand what makes the largest MMO going so popular? How can you expect to keep ahead of the curve and innovate if you don’t know where the bar is set in the first place?

I’m not saying he’s a bad designer because he doesn’t play WoW, but I certainly don’t think it would make him any worse if he did. I’m sure other members of his team do play other MMOs and are on hand with advice, but never the less it is… rather unconventional.

Then again unconventional about sums up Paul.

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Tags: Age of Conan, Broken Toys, Paul Barnett, Scott Jennings, Warhammer, World of Warcraft, WoW