Are Gaming Companies Getting Lazy?

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:41 am

Ok, so in most more modern online games, one of the most popular features is to have an online "buddy list" so that you can play on the same games as your friends right? It's a great idea, and has been added to several of our most favorite titles as of late. However, it appears as though the developers of the upcoming Matrix MMORPG are trying to take the easy way out by integrating AOL Instant Messenger into their product instead of developing their own protocol. What does this mean exactly? Well on the plus side, the service is already well maintained, most people (atleast, that's what the company hopes) already have a AIM Screenname, and it's definitely a good way to get cross communication from within the game and outside. Heck, that means you could even talk to your friends on your cellphone while they're in the game right? Only problem is, does this mean we may have to deal with some AOL advertisements in the game? One can only hope not. Reuters has the full story. Do you think this is a good idea, or are game developers just getting lazy? Discuss!

Guest

NOOOOO!!! THIS CANNOT BE!!!

seriously though, it's lame, AOL will probably want us to get a AOL account and stuff before we can use the buddy list and all. that is evil. for all we know this may be the first step in seeing games move toward flash advertisements and away from actual gaming, although that's probably an exaggeration. perhaps while playing we'll see some oddly conspicous billboards in the maps advertising RL stuff. i hope not. that would truly be nastiness on a grand scale.

while i'd like to think it's otherwise, the likelihood is that the developers are unable to get the protocol programmed and tested in time and are taking the easy way out; or they've simply succumbed to the lure of advertising revenues. i mean, do you really think AOL won't push for ads in the game?

UO Staff Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 524 Location: Atlanta

Well, Shaman, in response to your concerns, I suggest you play "Enter the Matrix". It's full of ads, from Samsung phones to PowerAde and more. I wouldn't be too concerned, but here's something to think about.

Matrix = Produced by Time Warner Studios
AOL = Owned by AOL Time Warner.

Connection, maybe?
Ah, yes, a conspiracy in our midst!

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:12 am

that's freaky.

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 11:03 am

AOL is a parasite that needs to be exterminated.

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:37 pm

i'll second that notion Very Happy

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 4:20 pm

I can't believe what I am reading! Are you all trying to tell me you don't use AOL Instant Messenger already? What these developers are trying to do is amazing. It is by no means the 'easy way out.' I would venture that integrating AIM like this is more difficult then just adding a simple buddylist to the game. Let me list some of the benefits of this wonderful system.

No message window popping up and minimizing your game.

No need to alt-tab or exit the game just to ask a quick question of a friend about something unrelated.

No NEW buddy list to maintain. It's the same list you are used to.

Functunality like being able to get a hold of people in the game from your desktop or even your mobile phone.

Not to mention that in a way, it just sortta fits with the whole idea of the Matrix. You're in a computer simulated world, this is your link to the outside world.

I know there are many of you who are not fans of AOL, but don't try to tell me AIM didn't revolutionize internet communication. Don't let your AOL conspiracy theories blind you to the benefits of a system. Heck, I don't even have ads or any of that stuff when I chat with my AIM friends because I don't use AOL's client. I also don't believe you will have to put up with any in-game ads or popups or garbage like that. They're trying to create a specific atmosphere, and you're already paying to play the game.

Classix

Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:03 pm

Actually, AIM wasn't revolutionary, that honour would be in the the hands of ICQ (my prefered IM client, though I don't use their official client anymore). And yes, actually, maintaining a seperate buddy list is exactly what I want in a game. Why? Because I want to be able to get away from people like my mother when I'm playing a game (yes, my mom and I talk on instant messangers more than on the phone it seems). So I close out those clients, and that way I can simply talk to only the people who I'm GAMING with.

Most gamers when playing games will completely close out their IM clients, or atleast set them in a mode where they are not disturbed by any "popups minimizing your game". Which also solves the alt-tab problem Wink

And since when is some little yellow running icon character (the aol running guy) a part of the Matrix? I'd love to see anyone try to justify that beyond "it's a computer thing" which is the copout of all copouts. A lot of gamers were LIVID when UT2k3 came out that it even had a darn nvidia clip at the beginning, let alone anything from AOHELL.

And as far as the in-game ads and/or popups, it was just speculation, and given that AOL is the advertising nightmare of the internet, it's fitting.

Guest

Pro :
- using existing software instead of re-inventing the wheel just because you can is good.(period)

Con :
- if you want to integrate a real world application like AIM ... why not take it one step further and allow players to pick their favourite ?
There even are freeware IM clients that support multiple sources (such as Trillian), so it can't be a problem ... unless of course you don't want to support services from outside of your realm of influence.
ie : it's a Time Warner company after all. Why pay for new stuff when you own 'the' solution already ?

- the last thing I want in a game *is* outsiders interfering with my experience or stalking me
Especially in a mmorpg where part of the enjoyment is getting away from all the real-world issues would be the primary motivation for playing.
Then again ... most people probably won't even attempt to roleplay when that would mean having to deal with disadvantages like scarce resources or issues like character-knowledge vs metagame-knowledge.

// ---
'AOL would want us to get an AIM-account' ...
Ever thought that that would just be part of your account anyway ?
If they want to do it right then you will get an option to use an existing AIM-account for the messenger-service or create a new/additional one just for this game ...
Then again ... this assumes they are 'smart' ... and *that* I doubt. Sad