The Top 20 Most Influential People in the MMO Industry - 2007
I have authored an article in this month’s Beckett Massive Online Gamer magazine (#13, July - August) entitled “The Top 20 Influential People in Massively Multiplayer Video Games - 2007″. Although the byline is mine, I researched the feature with the help of many folks, including Doug Kale @ Beckett and other industry insiders. Here’s the list:
We consulted a variety of industry insiders to assist in compiling a list of potential nominees. Then we developed a set of criteria to evaluate each candidate and rank them accordingly. To start with, we intentionally decided to highlight people who were actually working in commercial MMO development, as opposed to academics or the media. Secondly, we gave preference to those candidates who had worked on an MMO that either launched or shipped an expansion in 2007. And finally, we tried to focus on those individuals who were truly influential on the industry as a whole, rather than just on their own game.
Beckett Massive Online Gamer is currently the only print magazine dedicated to covering MMOs. If you’re not already a subscriber, please pick up the latest issue at your local newstand and check it out!
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 am
“3. John Smedley, CEO, Sony Online Entertainment”
I agree he belongs on the list. But only because influential doesn’t necessarily mean POSITIVE influence. The Smed has earned his reputation as the most hated man in the MMO industry (by players). From destroying Star Wars Galaxies, to halving SOE’s subscribers in the last couple years, Smed’s leadership of SOE has been nothing less than spectacular… Spectacularly BAD.
Why he still has his job is the greatest mystery in the industry. All he’s done is turn SOE from industry leader to reviled company that isn’t even a contender anymore, who’s reputation is so bad that slapping the letters “SOE” to a box is in and of itself enough reason for people to not want to play the game. Platform Publishing, which is a SOE arm that publishes other people’s games also has an incredibly bad record. Vanguard didn’t last 3 months before having to be bailed out by SOE. Gods and Heroes never made it to release. Pirates of the Burning Sea set the record for fastest MMO ever from launch to server merges (less than 2 months was it?).
So yes, Smed belongs on this list. Just remember WHY he belongs.
June 7th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
totally off topic, but when can we expect an update to the charts?
June 13th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Excellent list!
Turbine’s EP, sitting at #2, usually gets a lot less credit than he deserves. Although I don’t play Lord of the Rings Online anymore, I have to admit that Turbine always met or exceeded my expectations of quality. For instance, the game was released virtually flawless - in stark contrast to Vanguard, which was released unplayable.
Turbine also managed to produce large, workable patches (called ‘books’) that always added something to the game. Although plagued with a balancing act similar to WoW, the patches nevertheless convinced me that LotRO could do nothing but improve, albeit slowly.
The atmosphere in LotRO, however, is his greatest achievement. No other MMO compares to the feeling of awe and wonder I had when first laying eyes on Rivendell, the feeling of fear and excitement when I lost myself (minimap and all) in the foggy Old Forest or even the helplessness in beeing rooted amidst an epic, 50v50 pvp battle.
But then again, I quit. Why? Mainly because LotRO has a serious lack of content in nearly every aspect. In terms of design, the game is flawed, but in terms of production, Turbine could hardly have done a more perfect job.
Grats to Jeffrey Steefel for making #2!
P.S. Grats to Pétursson for making #4!
EVE Online is possibly the best MMO ever conceived. I look forward to trying out their latest expansion, Empyrean Age. Thanks again CCP for making always amazing, always free expansions.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Do you plan to update your charts any time soon?
July 10th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I really want to see hard data on AoC’s subscription numbers.
Unfortunately, it looks like we’re not going to be hearing solid numbers from them for a while. I have a feeling it won’t be as pretty as it’s graphics.
July 21st, 2008 at 8:29 am
Is it me, or has Bruce disappeared? With comments selling stuff, and no further charts or posts…we may have had a loss here…
Where are YOU????
We need our DATA!
August 23rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
So, this site died once again. Rest in pieces.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hi,
nice site, do you want to trade links? please send me email, kind regards
December 21st, 2008 at 9:43 am
Конкурс для блоггеров от DRUGREVENUE с призовым фондом в 3000 долларов, спешите
December 29th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Where is Brad McQuaid?
January 4th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
С Новым Годом. Пусть Новый Год вам принесет много много денег!
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
кто бы мог подумать=) так держать!
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
действительно, довольно интересно…
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
2TS
January 26th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Легче нести ахинею, чем бревно.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Разговор начистоту обычно заканчивается взаимным обливанием грязью.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:42 am
Наивность - это редкий дар смотреть на мир невооруженным взглядом…
January 27th, 2009 at 1:44 am
Последнее время читаю между строк. Стал меньше уставать.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Hi, I am commenting about the chart titled “Total MMOG Active Subscrptions- absolute contribution”. I would like to ask what do yoou think caused the little spike in players in 2006? and why did it drop back down?
March 29th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Хороший сайт
May 14th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Полезная информация
May 16th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Fascinating article. Any plans to do another one for 2008? I bet Mark Jacobs would be a lot higher up the list now!
May 20th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Любопытно! Надеюсь продолжение будет не менее интересным…
May 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Hi, nice posts there
thank’s for the interesting information
May 26th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Interesting site, but much advertisments on him. Shall read as subscription, rss.
May 30th, 2009 at 2:47 am
Интересно. Ждем новых сообщений на эту тему
May 31st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
It’s been a year…I wanted to see the impact of AoC and WHO, but I guess I’ll never see that now.
June 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Interesting… But what sign on novelties of the news?
June 21st, 2009 at 1:15 pm
John Smedly needs to take over world of warcraft
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Turbine’s always had good engineers, but the turnover within that group is hideous. Managers never get fired (though CEOs do it seems), but engineers seem to last months to a couple years. It’s a beureaucratic hell, where good ideas start strong and eventually wither away. I hope between Jeff and Jim Crowley they can really turn things around.
I don’t think either Garriott’s really had a huge sway in years, and I assume Mark Jacobs will drop out, too.
July 11th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Спасибо. Появилась классная идея, но она потребует подробной реорганизации вашей мысли, займусь на днях. И сразу поделюсь информацией с читателями блога!
August 23rd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Дая раньше тоже так думал… Сейчас переосмыслил
August 27th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Where is SirBruce?! These studies and charts I have found extremely interesting, and I want to know how Age of Conan and Warhammer did. Also Champions is coming soon. I hope he didn’t quit on this research.
December 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Yeah, what happened to the charts? This was SUCH interesting information and I am so curious what happened with Warhammer and how much more of the world WoW has taken over?
I hope you’re okay SirBruce!
January 10th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I’ve made it to the end. Thanks for putting it together. Lots of things I didn’t know. BOOKMARKED!
January 31st, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Update your site fuckface!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:11 am
Nice words, commenter above me =)))