NCsoft, makers of PC MMORPGs such as
Guild Wars and
Lineage, could be making games for the PSP in the future. CEO Robert Garriott speaks up on the
PlayNC website about the company's relationship with Sony, and how they plan to release their
massively-multiplayer online games on the Playstation 3 and "perhaps the PSP". The rest of the article reveals that NCsoft is not only thinking of porting their established intellectual properties but creating new ones for the Sony platforms. Garriott also shares that their games would use either "traditional subscription models, micropayment systems and free-to-play games with membership options".
While the article is mainly focused on PS3, the name drop of the PSP is at the very least an interesting topic for debate. Is the PSP a viable system for MMOs? And if so, would you pay to play an MMO on your PSP?
[via
Wired, thanks Joe!]
{ Sep 11th 2007 at 8:00PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
merc25 @ Sep 11th 2007 8:24PM
the only way I would even consider playing an MMORPG is, if they didn't have subscription fees(you buy a game, then you have to pay more money to play it. What idiot came up with that idea?).
LoyalistRevolt @ Sep 11th 2007 8:40PM
Old news we all knew it was coming ^lol!!
Kodros @ Sep 11th 2007 8:53PM
@1 - Are you really that ignorant as to why there are subscription fees?
jodyanthony.com @ Sep 11th 2007 8:56PM
is Robert Garriott related to Richard Garriott?
Wolfrider @ Sep 11th 2007 9:07PM
@ 4
Evil twin.
And yeah I'd be interested in playing an MMO on my PSP. Actually, I would probably invest significantly more time in a portable MMO than I would sitting at my desk. Just isn't comfortable to be perched over a computer like that.
TrackSol @ Sep 11th 2007 9:37PM
If they got with Sony and distributed the game as a free download, then it would definitely be viable on the PSP.
At a maxiumum, they should charge $10 in UMD format, but then of course it will just get dumped and played via ISO.
So like I said, make it a free download, maybe put an ad or two as splash images during loading (as to not intrude with gameplay) to help pay bills and charge 4.99 to 9.99 a month to play since PSP's aren't always connected to a network, and call it a success.
TrackSol @ Sep 11th 2007 9:47PM
I don't play MMO games, but this could be a very unique IP on the PSP. They should add some functionality like Metal Gear Solid where certain rare items may be found or won according to an algorithm that uses the current wifi access point mac address. This makes peoples experiences somewhat unique. Things like that which incorporate the PSP's mobility and capabilities will win awards.
Tying the PSP version into the PS3 would be great, as you can bring your character with you on the go and maybe do side quests on the PSP (free expansion pack(s) perhaps?) either online or offline to keep building your character and obtain special items.
Also, it would be cool if it was as a free download in EBOOT format and only pay for the service. Also, say they make a PS3/PSP version, the PSP version comes free on the PS3 game disc. Charge say $20 for the PS3 version with included PSP portable version and call it a day.
Learn from WoW, it's the most popular becuase it was free!
Tahiri @ Sep 11th 2007 10:04PM
Any portable MMO would need an offline mode
Cornered Rat @ Sep 11th 2007 11:41PM
I wouldn't mind seeing some kind of MMO on the PSP, but only if it was without subscription fees, or the fees were very low.
Not sure a full-blown MMO would work that well, but if, say, they created some kind of "portal" to let me access my Guild Wars characters so I could run around town and visit merchants, do some trading, that would be a start. I'm not sure how else you could have an MMO, unless it were created from scratch, specifically for the PSP and no other platform.
Bryan @ Sep 12th 2007 1:45AM
I think having an MMORPG on the PSP would totally work. Sure it would have to be limited compared to ones found on the PC etc, but I don't see why not. The one main obstacle though is the lack of intuitive text input for the PSP. You would definitely want some sort of "chat-Pad" accessory for the PSP for a genre like MMO to be fun.
Alien @ Sep 12th 2007 5:07AM
Im much more opened for portable mmos than Console/PC mmos . Seriously , wouldent it be cool , If Im going to an airport and I go up one more level with my hero . Also , I think that even if the UMD would be 50$ and just as somebody else stated , they would put in an add or two in the loading times wouldent hurt neither . NCsoft is letting people play for free , but with optional payable modes to ... that would be OK to IMO :)
mike d @ Sep 17th 2007 10:40AM
I would definately pay to play if it were reasonable, but I think NCSoft would probably go more the way of microtransactions in game. I don't get a chance to play anything on my consoles or laptop anymore with a wife, kid and 60 hour a week job. About all I can do is hide in the bathroom stall at work and get some gaming in.